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SOMIC Packaging, Inc. has named packaging industry veteran Paul Jenks as Chief Sales Officer, responsible for leading the company’s commercial strategy and growth initiatives throughout North America. Jenks reports to SOMIC Group CEO Dr. Gerhard Huber, and joins the company as SOMIC enters its next stage of development in the North American market.
With 28 years of direct packaging industry experience, Jenks has held leadership roles with CPC, Syntegon, Bosch Packaging Technology and Thermo Fisher Scientific. For the past 20 years, he has led commercial organizations spanning sales, service, marketing and product management in the United States and global markets.
“North America is a key strategic region for SOMIC, and the company has made important investments in recent years to better serve customers here,” Jenks said. “My task is to build on that foundation, define our commercial strategy and grow the business throughout North America.”
“Paul brings the combination of packaging industry knowledge, commercial leadership and customer focus we were looking for as we continue to expand SOMIC’s presence in North America,” said Dr. Gerhard Huber, Group CEO of SOMIC. “His experience leading sales, service, marketing and product teams will help us connect our technology and capabilities even more closely with the needs of customers in this important market.”
Jenks said his initial priority will be to spend time with SOMIC customers and employees, gaining a firsthand understanding of the business and identifying opportunities to strengthen the company’s North American strategy.
“My passion is understanding the needs of the customer and the market, and then determining the best way to partner with them for mutual success,” Jenks said. “My first priority is listening. I want to meet with as many customers as possible, spend time with our team and understand where customers see their businesses and packaging requirements heading. We can then translate those insights into a clear vision for SOMIC’s future in North America.”
Jenks has been familiar with SOMIC and its packaging technology for many years. He said the opportunity to help shape the company’s North American future, combined with its family-owned culture, played an important role in attracting him to the position.
“The values of a company are paramount to me,” he said. “SOMIC remains a family-owned company where people and the needs of the customer are at the forefront. That was very important to me.”
Helping Packaging Operations Manage Increasing Complexity
Jenks joins SOMIC at a time when food, consumer packaged goods and other manufacturers are managing increasingly complex secondary packaging requirements. Greater SKU proliferation, more case and package formats, retailer-specific requirements and changing e-commerce demands are placing additional pressure on packaging operations to become more flexible.
“With more than 50 years of experience, SOMIC has established itself as a technology leader in shelf-ready and end-of-line packaging,” Jenks said. “We provide tailored solutions manufactured to a global standard while supporting customers locally. Our role is to help customers determine how best to automate their secondary packaging processes and give them the flexibility to respond to changing market requirements.”
SOMIC provides automated systems for collating, grouping and packing products into retail-ready packages, wraparound cases, open trays, trays with covers or lid inserts, and paperboard cartons. The company also offers line technology for complete end-of-line automation, and continues to expand the digital technologies and service capabilities which supports its installed equipment.
Jenks to Meet Customers at PACK EXPO
Jenks will make his first major industry appearance for SOMIC at PACK EXPO International, October 18–21 at McCormick Place in Chicago. He will meet with customers, industry partners and trade media at Booth N-4740.
The timing provides Jenks with an early opportunity to hear directly from packaging professionals about their automation priorities and the challenges they are encountering on today’s production lines.
“PACK EXPO is an ideal opportunity to begin those conversations,” Jenks said. “SOMIC Packaging is a local partner for end-of-line packaging. We want customers to know we are here to guide and support them as they automate, expand and adapt their packaging operations.”
Outside SOMIC, Jenks is a family man. He and his wife, Mary, have been together for 26 years and are the parents of two teenage daughters. He usually spends his free time running or cycling, and is focused on the family’s horses since both girls are avid riders.
