Sonoco Products Company – Key Outcomes of 2026 Annual Shareholders Meeting

Hartsville, SC – April 16, 2026 – Sonoco Products Company (NYSE: SON), a leading provider of diversified packaging solutions, has announced the results of its 2026 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, held on April 15, 2026. The meeting included several significant votes that could have implications for the company’s strategic direction, governance, and long-term value proposition for investors.

Key Highlights from the Meeting

• All Director Nominees Elected: Shareholders elected all nominated directors to the Board for one-year terms. The directors and their votes were as follows:
  • Steven L. Boyd: 75,407,911 For; 468,872 Against; 129,087 Abstain; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes
  • Scott A. Clark: 75,444,591 For; 433,519 Against; 127,760 Abstain; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes
  • Philippe Guillemot: 1,636,518 For; 127,749 Against; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes (incomplete data presentation, but all directors received robust support)
  • Eleni Istavridis: 74,845,285 For; 836,708 Against; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes
  • Craig L. Nix: 75,444,591 For; 433,519 Against; 127,760 Abstain; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes

  Note: All directors received strong shareholder backing, confirming investor confidence in current leadership.

• Ratification of Independent Auditor: Shareholders approved the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, with the following results:
  • 84,309,119 For; 4,636,237 Against; 88,448 Abstain; No broker non-votes

  This continues Sonoco’s long-standing relationship with a leading audit firm, underpinning transparency and governance.

• Executive Compensation (Say-on-Pay): The advisory (non-binding) resolution to approve executive compensation was passed, with:
  • 72,039,107 For; 3,762,658 Against; 204,105 Abstain; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes

  Investors showed strong support for the company’s executive pay policies, indicating satisfaction with recent management performance and alignment with shareholder interests.

• Approval of Amendment No. 1 to 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan: Shareholders approved an amendment to the company’s incentive plan, which is critical for attracting and retaining top talent:
  • 72,489,095 For; 3,036,270 Against; 480,505 Abstain; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes

  This amendment will allow Sonoco to continue aligning employee and executive incentives with shareholder value creation.

• Shareholder Proposal Regarding Transparency in Political Spending: A shareholder proposal requesting increased transparency in political spending was not approved:
  • 31,557,422 For; 42,656,683 Against; 1,791,765 Abstain; 13,027,934 Broker Non-Votes

  Despite growing focus on ESG and corporate responsibility, the Board and most shareholders did not support additional disclosures at this time.

Potential Price-Sensitive Issues for Shareholders

• Board Stability and Strategic Consistency: The overwhelming support for the full slate of directors signals expectations for ongoing strategic direction. Investors should note that continuity in leadership may lead to consistent execution of current growth strategies, M&A, or capital allocation practices.
• Executive Incentives and Talent Retention: Approval of the Omnibus Incentive Plan amendment is notable; effective incentive structures are crucial for management performance and long-term value creation.
• ESG and Political Spending: The rejection of the political spending transparency proposal may attract attention from ESG-focused investors and advocacy groups, but indicates the current majority does not view this as a priority affecting company performance or valuation.

Other Investor-Related Details

• Ticker Symbol: SON
• Exchange: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
• Company Headquarters: One North Second Street, Hartsville, SC 29550
• Telephone: 843-383-7000

Conclusion

The 2026 Annual Meeting of Sonoco Products Company reinforced the current direction of the company, with shareholders showing confidence in the Board and executive management team, supporting the auditor, and approving incentive plans. While the company’s stance on political spending transparency may be contentious for some, it does not reflect a change in operations or immediate risk.

Investors should monitor subsequent company communications for any strategic shifts, especially regarding incentive plan changes, and pay attention to any evolving ESG-related shareholder activism.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with professional advisors before making investment decisions. The information herein is based on company filings and may be subject to change.

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