Westrock Coffee Company Expands Team with Two Industry Veterans

Rhea-AI Summary

Westrock Coffee Company announced the appointment of Nicolas Lorenz as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Cedric Smith as Plant Manager at its Conway, Arkansas facility. With over 25 years of experience, Lorenz will oversee product manufacturing while Smith will manage the new facility's operations for various packaging solutions. Both leaders are expected to enhance the company's manufacturing capabilities to meet growing customer demand, supporting Westrock's commitment to provide ethical beverage solutions.

Positive

• Appointment of Nicolas Lorenz as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing.
• Cedric Smith to manage the new state-of-the-art facility in Conway.
• Both leaders have over 25 years of industry experience, enhancing company expertise.

Negative

• None.

Nicolas Lorenz Will Join Senior Leadership as Executive Vice President, Manufacturing

Cedric Smith Will Join State-of-the-Art Conway, Arkansas, Facility as Plant Manager

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Westrock Coffee Company (Nasdaq: WEST) (“Westrock Coffee,” or the "Company”), announced today the expansion of its team with the appointment of two key industry veterans. Nicolas Lorenz will join Westrock Coffee as Executive Vice President - Manufacturing and will be based in Little Rock, Arkansas. Cedric Smith joins the team as Vice President & Plant Manager for the flavors, extracts, and ingredients facility in Conway, Arkansas. Each brings more than 25 years of experience in the food and beverage category to Westrock Coffee and will play a pivotal role in expanding the Company’s manufacturing capabilities.

“As Westrock Coffee continues to serve some of the most recognizable brands in the world, I am excited to welcome both Nicolas and Cedric to our team,” said Will Ford, Group President - Operations. “The collective expertise and knowledge each brings to Westrock Coffee will serve us well as we continue to expand our manufacturing facilities to serve growing customer demand.”

Lorenz will be responsible for the manufacture of all products distributed from the Company’s global enterprise to its blue-chip customers. Lorenz joins the company from PACCOR Packaging Solutions, one of the largest packaging facilities globally, based in Düsseldorf, Germany, where he served as Chief Commercial Officer (COO) and as Vice President, Sales, and Managing Director, Northern Europe. In previous roles, Lorenz has been COO of Shalina Healthcare DMCC in Dubai and served customers in the sub-Saharan Africa region. Lorenz also served as General Manager for Ditra, Scitra and Abiat Oleo Industries in Sharjah, UAE, the largest contract manufacturer in the Middle East, as Sales Director for Budelpack International B.V. in Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands, and Business Development Director for SCA Packaging Middle Europe in Nuremberg Germany.

“I am honored to join Westrock Coffee at such a pivotal time,” said Lorenz. “As a new public company in the United States, and as a leader in its industry, Westrock Coffee is paving the way for ethically sourced and transparent beverage solutions, and I look forward to working with the entire team to fulfill the needs of its diverse customer base.”

Smith will oversee the start-up, build-out, and operation of the Company’s new state-of-the-art facility in Conway, Arkansas, which will produce cans, glass and plastic bottles, and bag-in-box solutions. Smith joins Westrock Coffee from Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), where he was the Assistant Plant Manager for one of DFA’s top volume producing ready-to-drink (RTD) facilities located in Springfield, Missouri. In previous positions, Smith worked with Dawn Foods Products Inc., Nestle USA, Prepared Foods, and Eagle Family Foods, Inc.

“I’m thrilled to join Westrock Coffee and become an integral part of the Conway business community,” said Smith. “Leading the largest roasting to ready-to-drink facility in the U.S. is both an honor and an enormous opportunity. Westrock Coffee is leading the industry in innovative products and solutions, and I couldn't be more excited to help manage the growth of the facility and see the positive impact it will have for our customers.”

About Westrock Coffee Company
Westrock Coffee is a leading integrated coffee, tea, flavors, extracts, and ingredients solutions provider in the U.S., providing coffee sourcing, supply chain management, product development, roasting, packaging, and distribution services to the retail, foodservice and restaurant, convenience store and travel center, CPG, non-commercial, and hospitality industries around the world. With offices in 10 countries, the Company sources coffee and tea from 35 origin countries. For more information, please visit WestrockCoffee.com.

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Media:

ICR for Westrock Coffee: WestrockPR@icrinc.com

Source: Westrock Coffee Company

FAQ

What are the new appointments at Westrock Coffee?

Westrock Coffee appointed Nicolas Lorenz as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing and Cedric Smith as Plant Manager.

What will Nicolas Lorenz's role be at Westrock Coffee?

Nicolas Lorenz will oversee product manufacturing and expand the company's manufacturing capabilities.

What is Cedric Smith's responsibility at Westrock Coffee?

Cedric Smith will manage operations at the new facility in Conway, Arkansas, producing various packaging solutions.

How will the new appointments impact Westrock Coffee's operations?

The appointments are expected to enhance manufacturing capabilities to meet growing customer demand.

What is the background of the new executives at Westrock Coffee?

Both Lorenz and Smith bring over 25 years of experience in the food and beverage industry.