O-I names Erik Bouts president of European operation

12/15/2012

Owens-Illinois Inc. has named Erik Bouts president of its European operation. He will take over Jan. 1 from Jose Lorente, who is stepping down after 34 years with the Perrysburg glass container maker.

Mr. Bouts has been chief executive officer of Glidden Co., a U.S. subsidiary of Akzo Nobel Paints LLC. Akzo on Friday announced that it was selling Glidden to Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries Inc. for $1.05 billion.

O-I said it has about 8,000 employees in 11 countries in its European operation.

“Bouts has led a major manufacturing company,” said Al Stroucken, O-I chairman and chief executive officer. “This will be invaluable for us in strengthening our competitiveness in Europe.”