Carton and filling systems supplier SIG has announced that its current chief financial officer, Anne-Kristin Erkens, has become the company’s chief executive.
Erkens replaces the previous chief executive Mikko Keto, who joined this spring from FLSmidth, a multinational engineering company.
Erkens joined SIG as chief financial officer in November 2023. Between August 2025 and February 2026, she stepped into the role of interim chief executive, where she led the Swiss packaging maker’s transformation programme.
In a statement, SIG said Erken would continue as chief financial officer until a successor is appointed.
SIG described continuity of leadership and pace of execution as priorities at ‘this stage of the transformation’.
Half-year financial performance
The company said it had made ‘good progress’ in the first half of 2026, with its adjusted EBIT margin improving to 15.6 per cent, compared with 14.8 per cent in the prior-year period.
In addition, free cash flow improved by more than €100 million [$135m] year-on-year, the company said.
“Mikko joined SIG at an important point in the company’s development and has contributed to the progress made over the recent months,” said Ola Rollén, chair of SIG.
“I would like to thank him for his commitment to SIG and wish him all the best for the future.”
Rollén the company was “very pleased” that Erken had agreed to take on the role of chief executive.
“She knows SIG very well, has played a central role in shaping our performance improvement roadmap and has already successfully led the company as interim chief executive,” he added.
‘Operational and financial expertise’
“She brings strong leadership as well as deep operational and financial expertise and is ideally placed to ensure continuity and drive the next phase of SIG’s development.”
SIG confirmed that its capital markets day will take place on 27 October 2026, at The Circle Convention Center at Zurich Airport, where Erkens and the leadership team will provide an update on SIG’s strategy and strategic priorities.
In April, SIG teamed up with Plastic Bank, the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy, and Decision Context to launch a project aimed at preventing at least 10,000 tonnes of waste from entering the ocean.
The three-year endeavour intends to strengthen collection and recycling systems for all types of packaging – including beverage cartons and plastics – in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines.
Last month, Slovak dairy producer Euromilk invested in a SIG Slimline 12 Aseptic filling machine to increase production capacity and improve operational efficiency.
