Siegwerk, a prominent global provider of printing inks and coatings tailored for packaging applications and labels, is implementing a significant change within its management team. After over 36 years of dedicated service at Siegwerk, Ralf Hildenbrand, President Americas and a member of the Group Executive Committee, has announced his retirement effective July 1, 2025. He will be succeeded by Christopher van Laack, who currently serves as Vice President of the Business Unit for Paper & Board EMEA and Liquid Food Packaging at Siegwerk.
Ralf Hildenbrand has played a crucial role beyond his responsibilities in the Americas region, leading the Global Business Unit Cluster for Flexible Packaging as well as overseeing Global Technology, Product Safety & Responsibility (PSR), and Siegwerk’s Circular Economy Hub, along with Global Brand Owner Collaboration. Throughout his impactful career at Siegwerk, Hildenbrand has embraced key management roles and pioneered several significant strategic initiatives.
Ralf Hildenbrand: A Lasting Influence on Siegwerk’s Strategic Direction and Growth
An Industrial Engineering graduate, Hildenbrand joined Siegwerk in 1989 as a Managerial Assistant in Flexible Packaging Sales. His career trajectory within the company has been marked by rapid progression. Since 2002, he has been a member of the Board of Management and subsequently the Group Executive Committee. In the 2000s, he played an essential role in devising the corporate development strategy that positioned Siegwerk as a global leader in packaging inks and coatings. His contributions from 2002 to 2009 included overseeing international expansion through strategic acquisitions such as Color Converting Inc. (CCI) and the packaging ink division from SICPA. Additionally, since 2005, Hildenbrand has spearheaded Siegwerk’s Flexible Packaging operations, enhancing the company’s competitive edge with a sustainable differentiation strategy.
From 2009 to 2019, he served as President Asia, where he successfully executed an ambitious growth strategy for the Asian market and its sub-regions. He also established Siegwerk’s Global Technology function, forming a cross-regional team of experts to oversee global standards and manage research and development initiatives. In this capacity, he took on responsibility for Product Safety & Responsibility at Siegwerk, further enhancing the company’s reputation for delivering safe ink solutions. In 2018, he led the development of Siegwerk’s Brand Owner Collaboration strategy, solidifying its role as a strategic partner to multinational brands. Moreover, he has been instrumental in the evolution of Siegwerk’s Circular Economy strategy and the establishment of the Circular Economy Hub in 2019. Following his appointment as President Americas in the same year, Hildenbrand has significantly advanced Siegwerk’s business operations in the region.
Dr. Nicolas Wiedmann, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Siegwerk, conveyed his appreciation: “Ralf Hildenbrand has made a decisive contribution to Siegwerk’s success over more than three decades. With his leadership and strategic vision, he strengthened and advanced our company in all regions and globally across many functions and departments. He fulfilled his roles with real passion and dedication, always living our motto ‘Ink, Heart and Soul.’ We sincerely thank him for his exceptional performance, in-depth expertise, and outstanding commitment.”
Christopher van Laack: A Seasoned Leader Set to Oversee the Americas Region
Following Hildenbrand’s departure, Christopher van Laack, currently Vice President of the Business Unit for Paper & Board EMEA and Liquid Food Packaging, will join the Group Executive Committee as President Americas. He will also take charge of Global Technology, Product Safety & Responsibility (PSR), Siegwerk’s Circular Economy Hub, and Global Brand Owner Collaboration. The management of the Global Business Unit Cluster for Flexible Packaging will transition to Dirk Weissenfeldt, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Siegwerk and former Vice President of Flexible Packaging EMEA.
Van Laack offers a wealth of expertise garnered over nearly 17 years at Siegwerk. He began his journey in 2008 as a Logistics Management trainee and has since ascended through various key leadership roles. Over his nearly eight years in Transport and Logistics, he was appointed head of this department in 2013. Three years later, he took on the role of Site Manager and Post Merger Integration Manager at the Buedingen (Germany) facility of the newly acquired Actega Colorchemie business, successfully leading a turnaround. In 2018, Van Laack became the Regional Sales Director for Flexible Packaging EMEA, managing multiple international key accounts for Siegwerk and coordinating sales activities, including in the Americas. In his current position, which he assumed in 2021, he has shaped the strategic direction for both business units and initiated Siegwerk’s engagement in functional coatings, laying the groundwork for the establishment of a dedicated business unit for Circular Economy Coatings in 2024.
“We are very pleased that Christopher van Laack will join our Group Executive Committee and will take over the role as President Americas,” stated Dr. Nicolas Wiedmann, CEO at Siegwerk. “In his previous roles, van Laack demonstrated strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to Siegwerk’s values. His expertise in business development and operational excellence makes him the perfect successor to drive further growth and innovation in the Americas region and help shape Siegwerk’s future.”
The transition within Siegwerk’s Group Executive Committee will officially take effect on July 1, 2025.
For more information, visit www.siegwerk.com