USA – Berlin Packaging has announced that Andrew Berlin has stepped down from his roles as Chairman, Director, and Chief Executive Officer of the company.

The company has hence appointed Michael Grebe as Executive Chairman while John W. Zimmerman will serve as interim Chief Executive Officer until the Board appoints a permanent successor.

Berlin will be available in an advisory capacity, as needed, through year end, for transition purposes. The company noted that Berlin’s departure is not due to any disagreement with the company regarding its financial reporting, financial policies or financial practices.

“The company remains on a solid upward trajectory and is poised to deliver on its financial objectives for the year,” said Grebe.

“John knows the company well, having served as its interim Chief Financial Officer in 2016 and as a member of the company’s Board since 2017.

“He and I will work closely with the company’s talented leadership team as the Board proceeds with an orderly search for a new Chief Executive.” 

Grebe has a strong track record in senior operating and executive roles in the company since he joined as a director in April 2019. He brings in over 30 years of experience.

From 1998 to 2016, he served in various leadership positions at Interline Brands, rising to Chairman and CEO. During his career at the company, revenues grew from US$100 million to US$1.7 billion.

Zimmerman has led an extensive career in senior finance and operating roles, including Chief Financial Officer and main Board member of Tomkins PLC, a US$5 billion global engineering and manufacturing group.

Andrew Berlin and his father, Melvin Berlin, purchased the business in January 1988 at which time the company had sales of US$70 million.

Since then, the Chicago-headquartered company has experienced 32 consecutive years of earnings growth and last year achieved sales of US$1.4 billion.

Berlin Packaging has recorded robust growth in the current fiscal year having have made five acquisition year to date and 13th overall acquisition since 2010.

Its recent rapid expansion broadens the company’s global reach, which includes over 1,300 employees in more than 130 locations in North America, and operations in nine European countries, China, and South Africa.