Conner Industries Taps Sonoco Veteran to Steer High-Tech Expansion

FORT WORTH, TX – April 30, 2026 – Conner Industries, a prominent provider of industrial packaging solutions, today announced a significant addition to its leadership, appointing former Sonoco Chief Operating Officer Rodger Fuller to its Board of Directors. The move signals a clear strategic intent to accelerate the company’s expansion by leveraging deep operational expertise and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Fuller, who recently retired from the global packaging giant Sonoco, brings a wealth of experience in managing large-scale manufacturing environments. During his tenure as COO, he was responsible for global consumer and industrial operations, supply management, information technology, and the integration of automation and robotics. His appointment comes as Conner Industries continues an aggressive push to scale its multi-material industrial packaging platform.

“Rodger brings deep experience in packaging, operations, and large-scale manufacturing environments,” said David Dixon, Chief Executive Officer of Conner Industries. “As we continue to grow our industrial packaging business and invest in operational excellence, his perspective will be invaluable in helping us execute at a higher level and deliver more value to our customers.”

A Blueprint for Operational Excellence

Fuller’s appointment is more than a strategic addition to the board; it represents a deliberate move to embed top-tier operational discipline into Conner’s growth strategy. His background at Sonoco, a company known for its global operational footprint, aligns directly with Conner’s current focus on enhancing efficiency and technological capabilities across its 18 manufacturing facilities.

The press release noted that Fuller has already begun engaging with Conner’s leadership and touring key facilities. His focus includes sites where the company is actively integrating AI, automation, and real-time visibility into daily operations. These investments are designed to improve throughput, ensure quality control, and create a more consistent product for its nationwide customer base. This hands-on approach underscores the practical, rather than purely advisory, nature of his new role.

Conner's commitment to operational upgrades is evident in recent facility enhancements. Its Lugoff, South Carolina plant, for instance, recently broadened its manufacturing capabilities by adding a new panel saw and a high-output pallet machine to increase capacity for regional customers. This focus on state-of-the-art equipment is a core component of the company’s strategy to meet growing demand and maintain a competitive edge in a market increasingly driven by efficiency and speed.

Fueling Growth Through Strategic Acquisitions

Fuller’s arrival coincides with a period of rapid, calculated expansion for Conner Industries. Under CEO David Dixon's leadership since 2017, the company has transformed from a traditional industrial lumber supplier into a diversified, integrated packaging provider through a series of strategic acquisitions. This M&A activity has been central to expanding its footprint and its capabilities in materials beyond wood, including foam, corrugate, and plastics.

Key acquisitions have systematically built out Conner’s service offerings:
* Kirkland Sales Inc. (March 2025): The company's fifth acquisition in its integrated packaging division, this custom foam fabricator further solidified its position as a multi-material transportation packaging provider.
* Denver Reel & Pallet Company (November 2023): This move expanded Conner’s geographic reach into the western United States, establishing a crucial foothold in the Colorado market.
* Guardian Packaging Industries (August 2023): A pivotal acquisition, Guardian brought specialized foam cutting and integrated packaging expertise, particularly for military and aerospace applications. Conner has since expanded the Guardian facility in Dallas by 53%, adding 100,000 square feet and securing new ISO9001 and AS9100 certifications to better serve government and Department of Defense contracts.

These moves highlight a strategy of consolidating a fragmented industrial packaging market, where many smaller operators exist. By acquiring specialized firms and integrating them into its larger, technologically advanced platform, Conner is building a comprehensive, one-stop solution for complex industrial packaging needs.

Building a Modern Leadership Engine

The appointment of Rodger Fuller is the latest in a series of strategic leadership enhancements designed to create a robust engine for growth. It follows the hiring of Kevin Kenjarski as Chief Revenue Officer in September 2025. Kenjarski, a veteran of packaging leaders like Smurfit Westrock and Pretium Packaging, was brought on to build a more disciplined and scalable commercial engine.

The synergy between the two appointments is clear. While Kenjarski is tasked with aligning revenue teams and driving profitable growth, Fuller provides the operational and manufacturing expertise to ensure the company can deliver on its promises. Fuller's focus on operational excellence, automation, and supply chain management provides the necessary backbone to support the aggressive go-to-market strategy Kenjarski is building. This dual focus on both commercial and operational leadership demonstrates a holistic approach to scaling the business effectively.

A 45-Year Legacy Propels Future Innovation

These strategic moves are taking place as Conner Industries celebrates its 45th anniversary, a milestone that underscores its deep roots in American manufacturing. The company's long-standing contributions were recently recognized by the U.S. Congress, the Texas House of Representatives, and local officials in its hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.

This blend of established legacy and forward-thinking innovation appears to be the company’s core identity in its current phase. By bringing in top-tier talent like Fuller and investing heavily in automation and digital transformation, Conner is positioning itself not just to compete, but to lead in the next era of industrial packaging, where sustainability, efficiency, and multi-material solutions are paramount.

Fuller himself commented on this dynamic, expressing his enthusiasm for the company's trajectory. “I've been impressed with Conner's growth, its operational footprint, and its commitment to serving customers across multiple packaging materials,” Fuller stated. “The opportunity to help guide the company as it continues to expand its packaging capabilities and scale its platform is an exciting one.”