HARTSVILLE, S.C., Nov. 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sonoco (NYSE:SON), one of the largest diversified global packaging companies, announced it has been named to the 2014 list of North American Top Companies for Leaders® by Aon Hewitt, the global talent, retirement and health solutions company of Aon (NYSE:AON). Sonoco was No. 12 (out of 25) on the 2014 North America list and No. 21 (out of 25) on the Global Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders list. This is the fifth time that Sonoco has earned this prestigious recognition.
Conducted since 2001, the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders study is a comprehensive, longitudinal analysis of talent management and leadership practices of organizations around the world. This year's winners were selected and ranked by an expert panel of independent judges based on a number of criteria, including strength of leadership practices and culture, examples of leader development on a global scale, alignment of business and leadership strategy, company reputation, business and financial performance.
"Sonoco is very proud to be recognized to the list of Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders for a fifth time and to be the only packaging company on this year's list," said Sonoco President and CEO, Jack Sanders. "People who are familiar with Sonoco know we have a 115 year history and culture that values employees. We understand the power of people and have a well known saying internally that 'People Build Businesses.' We know that our positive culture, combined with leadership processes and systems, ensure we have talented, engaged and aligned people. That differentiator enables us to have a competitive advantage in the marketplace."
"In today's complex and unpredictable business landscape, Top Companies for Leaders are passionate about cultivating resilient and engaging leaders who take the time to know and develop their talent and understand what experiences they need to rise above the rest," said Pete Sanborn, co-president Global Compensation and Talent. "We congratulate Sonoco on being among a select group of organizations that excel at building and growing a strong leadership environment."
About the Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders Study:
With more than 50,000 data points and more than 300 executive interviews, the 2014 Aon Hewitt Top Companies for Leaders study is the most comprehensive, global research on leadership in the market, examining the link between leadership practices and financial results. This study explores how organizations assess, select, develop, and reward leaders, and examines the execution of leadership practices, as well as the strategy that guides it. To learn more about this study, please visit www.aon.com/topcompanies.
About Sonoco:
Founded in 1899, Sonoco is a global provider of a variety of consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and displays and packaging supply chain services. With annualized combined sales of approximately $5.4 billion, the Company has more than 21,000 employees working in more than 340 operations in 34 countries, serving some of the world's best known brands in some 85 nations. Sonoco is a proud member of the 2014/2015 Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. For more information on the Company, visit our website at www.sonoco.com.