HUHTAMÄKI OYJ STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 1.12.2006 AT 08.00
Huhtamaki has appointed George T Lai as Executive Vice President to the Asia-Oceania-Africa (AOA) region, focusing on Rigids and Molded Fiber businesses, with effect from January 1, 2007. He will succeed Henk Koekoek, who retires as planned at the end of 2006 after a total of 30 years with the Group.
Mr Lai, formerly Vice President and Managing Director at Avery Dennison, will become a member of the Group Executive Team reporting to CEO Heikki Takanen. He will be based in Hong Kong.
Maurice Petitjean, Executive Vice President, Flexibles, Films and Molded Fiber Europe will assume responsibility for the Asia and Oceania Flexibles and Films businesses in addition to his current responsibilities from the beginning of 2007.
"We are convinced that these changes will strengthen our position when developing attractive platforms for the growing AOA region," says Heikki Takanen, CEO.
Huhtamäki Oyj
Group Communications
Huhtamaki Group is a leading manufacturer of consumer and specialty packaging with 2005 net sales exceeding EUR 2.2 billion. Consumer goods and foodservice markets are served by 15,000 employees in approximately 70 manufacturing and sales units in more than 30 countries worldwide. The parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, has its head office in Espoo, Finland and is listed on the Helsinki Stock Exchange. Additional information is available at www.huhtamaki.com.