Movers and Shakers The right people in the right roles can make all the difference
Ed Young to Lead SACMI Packaging & Chocolate USA
Ed Young has been appointed CEO of SACMI Packaging & Chocolate USA, the US subsidiary of SACMI Packaging & Chocolate, which supplies machinery and complete lines for chocolate processing, alongside primary and secondary packaging solutions. Young will lead business development in
the US, strengthen customer and partner relationships, and support the company’s continued growth through expanded commercial activities and local customer support. He brings decades of industry experience and a strong understanding of customer needs and market dynamics. “I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience to a company like
SACMI Packaging & Chocolate,” said Young. “One of my primary goals will be to further strengthen SACMI Packaging & Chocolate’s presence and brand recognition in the US market by leveraging the quality of our technologies and the service excellence that distinguish the SACMI brand worldwide.” Giovanni Campolungo, president of SACMI
Packaging & Chocolate, said Young’s appointment marked an important step in strengthening the company’s presence in the US and across North America. His experience and ability to build customer and partner relationships would support its growth objectives. SACMI Packaging & Chocolate draws on 120 years of experience in the chocolate and
The Hershey Company names Amanda Almond President, International
The Hershey Company has appointed Amanda Almond as President, International, effective 12 October, succeeding Rohit Grover. Almond brings more than 30 years of consumer goods and retail experience, joining from Vinarchy, where she was regional managing director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, overseeing 57 markets. Previously, she spent 12 years regional
in senior leadership
roles at Bacardi, building a track record in business growth and team development. Kirk Tanner, president and CEO of
Hershey, said Almond’s international leadership experience would help accelerate the company’s global growth and strengthen its brands across markets. He also thanked Grover for his 27 years of service, including eight years as President, International. Almond said: “Hershey’s brands are loved around the world, and
I’m honoured to join the company at such an exciting time for its international business.” She will work with Hershey’s
International Leadership Team to ensure a smooth transition and will be based at the company’s UK office. Almond holds a bachelor’s
degree in commerce from the University of Edinburgh and has completed advanced retail and leadership programmes at
the
University of Oxford and Harvard Business School.
confectionery sector, alongside the expertise of historic brands Carle & Montanari, founded in 1907, and OPM. “The US market has long been a strategic
market for SACMI Packaging & Chocolate, and we will continue to invest in it to stay even closer to our customers and support their growth projects effectively,” Campolungo added. Paolo Mongardi, chairman of SACMI,
said Packaging & Chocolate remained central to the group’s growth strategy. Following recent integrations of companies, competencies and technologies, SACMI plans to continue investing in the business to strengthen its international presence and customer support.
Lindt & Sprüngli appoints interim CEO
Lindt & Sprüngli has announced that Group CEO Adalbert Lechner will leave the company, with former CEO and Vice-Chairman of the Board Dieter Weisskopf assuming the interim role with immediate effect. The Swiss chocolate manufacturer has begun
Amanda Almond
searching for a permanent successor, with an appointment expected in the second quarter of 2027. The Board said new operational leadership was needed to restore consistent growth and capitalise on opportunities across global markets. Weisskopf, who led the Group until 2022, said his priorities include returning the European business to growth, building on performance in North America and Asia-Pacific, investing in brands and improving profitability. Executive Chairman Ernst Tanner thanked
Lechner for his 33-year career with the company, recognising his contribution to its long-term growth. Lindt & Sprüngli also announced leadership
changes in Germany and Austria, effective 26 October. Ali Kulein, currently CEO Austria, will succeed Michal Spiller as CEO Germany, subject to local Supervisory Board approval. Fabian Reinhardt, Head of Global Sales, will take over as CEO Austria. The company thanked Spiller for his 23 years with the Group, during which he helped drive growth across Central and Eastern Europe, Austria and Germany.
58 • KENNEDY’S CONFECTION • OCTOBER 2026
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