CHARLOTTE, N.C.(From wire and news reports) -- Protective packaging supplier Sealed Air (SEE) has announced the appointment of Patrick Kivits as its new chief executive officer, effective 1 July 2024.

Kivits is now serving as president of corrugated packaging at paper and packaging company WestRock, overseeing all the company's business in Central America.

Since joining WestRock in 2019, Kivits has played a pivotal role in integrating the Multi-Packaging Solutions acquisition into the company's consumer business on a global scale.

After joining SEE, Kivits will also serve as a member of the company's board of directors.

In addition to Kivits, Sealed Air's board also confirmed that Emile Chammas will maintain the position as chief operating officer, and Dustin Semach's role will be expanded to president and chief financial officer.

SEE board chair Henry Keizer said: "He has a strong track record of delivering growth and driving commercial and operational transformations within the packaging industry, and we are confident he will accelerate SEE's transformation and drive long-term value creation for our shareholders.

"I am excited to join SEE at this pivotal time and look forward to partnering with Emile and Dustin to continue SEE's transformational journey to drive long-term sustainable growth and further solidify our positions in the markets we serve with our world-class Food and Protective packaging businesses."

SEE provides packaging solutions that combine sustainable, high-performance materials, automation, equipment and services.

With approximately 17,000 employees, the company generated $5.5bn in sales in 2023. Last month, it reported net earnings of $83m for the first quarter of 2024 and net sales of $1.33bn.