Huhtamaki has established a share ownership plan for its president and chief executive and other members of its Global Executive Team, linking personal investment and future rewards to the Finnish packaging group’s long-term performance.
The Espoo-based company announced the Share Ownership Plan 2026–2030 on 23 July. Its board said the programme was designed to increase executive shareholdings, support the creation of shareholder value and strengthen commitment to Huhtamaki’s strategic targets.
The plan requires participating executives to purchase Huhtamäki Oyj shares from the market. The purchases must be completed within one year of the announcement and remain within limits established by the board.
President and CEO Ralf K. Wunderlich must invest an amount corresponding to 12 months of base salary. Other Global Executive Team members must invest the equivalent of six months of base salary.
Huhtamaki estimated that the combined personal investment would total approximately €2.8 million, based on the company’s share value when the plan was announced.
The company will provide matching shares for qualifying investments. The president and CEO will be eligible for 3.5 gross matching shares for every share purchased. Other participating executives will receive 2.5 gross matching shares for each acquired share.
Huhtamaki estimated that the plan could have a total value of approximately €8.1 million if fully executed. The calculation is based on the prevailing share price at the time of acquisition and includes the portion expected to be paid in cash.
The final value and number of matching shares will depend on participation levels, the number of shares purchased and changes in Huhtamaki’s market price.
The programme has one matching period running from March 2026 to April 2030. Rewards will be delivered in three equal instalments in 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Payments will consist partly of Huhtamäki Oyj shares and partly of cash. The cash element is intended to cover taxes and statutory social security contributions resulting from the rewards.
Participants must retain all shares purchased through the plan until the relevant reward instalment is paid. An executive who resigns or whose contract is terminated for cause will generally lose any unpaid instalment.
Additional ownership requirements will continue after the matching shares are awarded. Global Executive Team members must retain at least half of their matching shares until their total Huhtamaki holding is worth the equivalent of one year’s gross base salary.
The president and CEO must retain at least half of the matching shares until the total holding reaches three times annual gross base salary. These ownership levels must then be maintained while the executives remain in their respective roles.
The plan aligns Huhtamaki’s senior leadership more closely with shareholders at a time when the company is pursuing its strategic priorities across food, beverage and consumer packaging markets.
Huhtamaki operates in 35 countries through 105 locations and employs approximately 17,400 people. The Nasdaq Helsinki-listed company reported net sales of €4 billion in 2025.
Participating executives have until 23 July 2027 to complete their qualifying share purchases. Huhtamaki will then determine the final number of matching shares from the investments made, with the first reward instalment scheduled for 2028.
