Sappi appoints Haws as President and CEO of its North American operations

Sappi Limited, a global leader in graphic, packaging and specialty papers, has promoted Michael (Mike) G. Haws, currently Vice President of Manufacturing at Sappi North America, to President and CEO of Sappi North America, effective October 1, 2019. Haws succeeds Mark Gardner, a 38-year veteran of Sappi in North America, who’ll retire at the end of September, 2019. Gardner has been President and CEO of Sappi North America for the past 12 years. Haws joined Sappi in 2012 as Managing Director of its Somerset Mill before being promoted to Vice President of Manufacturing in October of 2015 ­- with responsibilities for the Somerset, Westbrook and Cloquet Mills, the Allentown sheeting facility, Safety, Research & Development and Customer Care. Prior to joining Sappi, Haws gained extensive experience in the industry and held numerous leadership roles with St. Regis, Champion International, International Paper and Verso Paper. While leading the Somerset Mill, he received the Pulp and Paper International (PPI) Mill Manager of the Year Award (in 2014). Haws, 56, holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Paper Science and Engineering from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, New York, and has undertaken an executive education program at Harvard Business School.

“I’m pleased that we’re able to ensure a smooth transition in leadership from Mark to Mike,” said Steve Binnie, Chief Executive Officer of Sappi Limited. “Mike is an experienced industry leader who’s been integral to the development and execution of Sappi’s 2020Vision, and the investments we’ve made in North America to grow our dissolving wood pulp and packaging and specialties businesses. I’m confident that under Mike’s leadership our business will take full advantage of the exciting opportunities for the pulp and paper industry in North America. The appointment is testimony to the success of Sappi’s strong succession planning processes, and the importance we place in stability and continuity during any such leadership transition.
I would also like to thank Mark for his sterling service to Sappi over 38 years and for the support he’s shown me as CEO. He’s an exemplary leader both for the company and for the industry. His tenure saw massive changes as we restructured and refocused the business – a task he embraced and has executed with aplomb,” Binnie added.