UPM Raflatac appoints new senior leaders

UPM Raflatac has made new appointments to its global management team, with Tim Kirchen appointed senior vice president, Americas and Timo Kekki promoted to vice president of its films business unit.

UPM Raflatac has made new appointments to its global management team, with Tim Kirchen appointed senior vice president, Americas

Kirchen joins UPM Raflatac from SIG Combibloc where he worked for more than 12 years and since 2013 served as vice president of sales and business development in North America. He is based at UPM Raflatac's Americas headquarters in Asheville, North Carolina.

Kirchen said: ‘I am excited and honoured to join UPM Raflatac, and very much look forward to working with the Americas and global teams to further strengthen our position with our customers and drive business growth. The pressure-sensitive label market in our region continues to expand, and in the past year alone UPM Raflatac has kept up with the demand by opening new facilities in Chile, Argentina and the US.’

Kekki has spent the past 18 years at UPM in different positions. Prior to his new leadership role over global films business unit, he served as vice president of business control and strategy. He will continue to work at UPM's global headquarters in Helsinki, Finland. 

‘UPM Raflatac is labeling a smarter future beyond fossils, which includes developing innovative film labeling solutions that incorporate recycled content and promote a circular economy,’ said Kekki. ‘That is why I am highly motivated for this opportunity to take UPM Raflatac's business forward in my new role leading Global Films SBU. We will continue to innovate and be the sustainability partner of choice.’

Kirchen and Kekki report to Antti Jääskeläinen, executive vice president, UPM Raflatac, who said: ‘Kirchen brings to UPM Raflatac valuable experience from the food and beverage packaging industry, working with brand owners and leading a sales and marketing organization in the Americas. Kekki's proven expertise in strategic management as well as his knowledge and long experience working with the various parts of the UPM Raflatac global organization will serve him well in his new role.

‘I know they both will have many successes in their new roles.’