Sappi North America‘s vice-president (VP) of manufacturing, Kirk Ross, is set to become president and CEO on Jan. 1, 2027. He will succeed Mike Haws, who is retiring, after a handover period.
The company operates four pulp and paper mills in North America, including one Canadian facility in Matane, Que., that has produced bleached chemi-thermo mechanical pulp (BCTMP) for more than 20 years for use in graphic papers, paperboard, linerboard and specialty papers.
Ross brings nearly 30 years’ industry experience, including 20 years within Sappi, to his new role. A chemical engineer by training, he has served the company as production engineer, operations manager, finishing and shipping manager, business unit leader, director of manufacturing services, director of research and development (R&D) and director of marketing brand management.
Haws will retire in February 2027 after a 40-year career in the pulp and paper industry, including 14 years with Sappi and seven years as its president and CEO. His tenure’s significant achievements have included the integration of the Matane Pulp mill, which Sappi acquired from Rayonier Advanced Materials in 2019.
