Sep 30, 2011. /Lesprom Network/. Sonoco announced that Jim C. Bowen, senior vice president, Primary Materials Group, North America, will be retiring from Sonoco following a 40-year career. As a result of Bowen’s decision, John M. Grups has been named division vice president and general manager, Primary Materials Group, North America, effective October 1, 2011. In this new position, Mr. Grups will have responsibility for Sonoco’s 12 uncoated recycled paperboard mills in the United States, Canada and Mexico; Sonoco Recycling, Inc.; and the Company’s Adhesives and Forest Products divisions. He will continue to report to Jack Sanders, president and COO. “John is a 35-year veteran of Sonoco and has extensive manufacturing experience, including serving as division vice president, Global Operations, Consumer Products, along with other operating leadership and plant management responsibilities,” said Sanders. “For the past eight years, he has led our Operating Excellence initiatives, which have enhanced our Six Sigma and Lean Manufacturing operating philosophies and improved our purchasing and logistics functions.” In an effort to further leverage Sonoco’s global manufacturing support efforts, the Company’s supply management organization, including purchasing, logistics and other support services will report to Marty F. Pignone, vice president, Global Operating Excellence. Mr. Pignone will have responsibility for driving standardization with the Company’s global manufacturing processes while leveraging productivity, quality, supply management, supply chain, environmental services, safety and engineering functions. Bowen’s retirement is effective March 31, 2012, and he will continue to work on several manufacturing initiatives until that time. He has been a senior vice president since 2002, holding various senior management positions in the Company’s paper, recycling, manufacturing and internal supply functions. He joined the Company in 1972 after graduating from the Pulp and Paper engineering program at North Carolina State University. Sonoco is a $4.1 billion global manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging services.