Sylvamo Corporation has appointed John Sims as chief executive officer and president, effective January 1, 2026, and David Petratis as chairman of the board, also effective January 1, 2026. The change follows the retirement of long‑time CEO and chairman Jean‑Michel Ribiéras, who will step down on December 31, 2025.
Sims, who has led Sylvamo’s commercial and operational functions since the company’s spin‑off, will focus on executing the firm’s cost‑reduction and capital‑deployment plans. Petratis, a former chairman, president and CEO of Allegion plc, will provide independent oversight, a move intended to strengthen governance and allow the new CEO to concentrate on day‑to‑day operations.
Sylvamo’s Q3 2025 results provide context for the transition. Revenue rose to $846 million, beating the consensus estimate of $840.32 million, driven by a 7% quarter‑over‑quarter volume increase in the uncoated freesheet segment and modest price gains in the high‑margin paper business. However, earnings per share fell to $1.44 from $1.57 expected, a miss of $0.13, largely because the company’s operating margin contracted from 10.2% to 9.9% amid higher raw‑material costs and a shift toward lower‑margin products.
The company’s net income declined to $57 million from $95 million a year earlier, reflecting the impact of a one‑time restructuring charge and the cost of a $145 million investment in its Eastover, South Carolina mill. The capital spend is part of a three‑year plan to upgrade the mill’s capacity and reduce operating costs, positioning Sylvamo to capture demand in the resilient uncoated freesheet market while mitigating the secular decline in traditional paper grades.
Management emphasized that the leadership change aligns with Sylvamo’s strategic focus on low‑cost, high‑margin operations. “Separating the CEO and chairman roles is a best practice that will enhance governance and allow John to focus on execution,” said Petratis, the company’s lead independent director. Sims added, “I am committed to driving operational excellence and delivering value to shareholders as we invest in our core paper business.”
The transition comes as Sylvamo navigates supply‑chain shifts and regional pricing pressures. The company’s investment in the Eastover mill is expected to increase annual production capacity and reduce per‑unit costs, while the focus on uncoated freesheet positions Sylvamo to benefit from the growing demand for packaging and high‑quality printing paper.
Overall, the leadership change signals a renewed emphasis on operational discipline and strategic investment, with the new CEO and chairman expected to steer the company through a challenging industry environment while pursuing growth in its most profitable segments.
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