Name: Kevin Kuznicki
Previous title: Deputy president and general counsel, North America
New title: President, North America
“I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as President for Billerud North America and am optimistic about our future. I am honored to work with such a talented team across the company and look forward to continuing our journey and accomplishing great success together,” Kuznicki said in a press release.
The Sweden-based pulp and paper manufacturer has sought to grow in the U.S. since the acquisition of Midwest coated paper business Verso Corporation, which it completed in 2022. Verso had challenging years prior to the acquisition, including filing for bankruptcy in 2016 and idling mills during the coronavirus pandemic.
The North America operation is based in Miamisburg, Ohio, with facilities in Michigan and Wisconsin.
In Escanaba, Michigan, the company is looking to transform a former Verso mill, which it has described as “the cornerstone of Billerud’s expansion into North America, one of the largest and growing markets in primary fiber premium cartonboard.” Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in January this year signed legislation greenlighting the state’s economic development corporation to allocate up to $200 million to add to Billerud’s investments at the site.
In Billerud’s 2022 end-of-year report, CEO Christoph Michalski said that “North American operations continued to make a sizable profit and cash flow contribution in the fourth quarter. Earnings in North America were strengthened with input cost coming down and positive currency exchange effects.” Net sales from North America accounted for about one-third of overall net sales during the quarter.
Kuznicki will fill the vacancy left by Robert Kreizenbeck, whose departure the company announced on March 3. Kuznicki has held roles at Billerud since 2021.
