The story
Founded by James Lide Coker in 1899.1
SON on NYSE
Sonoco
Logo: Sonoco Products Company, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons4
United States-based international provider of diversified consumer packaging
Sonoco Products Company is an American provider of diversified consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and packaging supply chain services and the world's largest producer of composite cans, tubes, and cores. The company was founded in 1889 as Southern Novelty Company with annualized net sales of approximately $7.3 billion.3 From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Last updated Oct 16, 2026.
Overview
1899Founded1
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- TickerSON on NYSE1
- Industryproduct packaging industry1
- HeadquartersHartsville1
- Websitewww.sonoco.com
- Incorporated inSC5
- Business addressOne North Second St, P O Box 160, Hartsville, Sc 29551-01605
- Filer categoryLarge accelerated filer5
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Sonoco Products Company is an American provider of diversified consumer packaging, industrial products, protective packaging, and packaging supply chain services and the world's largest producer of composite cans, tubes, and cores. The company was founded in 1889 as Southern Novelty Company with annualized net sales of approximately $7.3 billion. Sonoco has 19,900 employees in more than 335 operations in 33 countries, serving more than 85 nations. The company is headquartered in Hartsville, South Carolina, and is South Carolina's largest corporation in terms of sales.3
Financials
From the company’s reports to the SEC. Every number links to the filing it came from.
Key numbers, fiscal 2025
20.9%Gross margin7
13.5%Operating margin7
13.3%Net margin7
41.7%Revenue growth, 20257
27.8%Return on equity7
1.05×Debt to equity7
$345.8MFree cash flow7
What sells
Revenue by product, business segment and region, as the company reports it to the SEC.
Business segments
Consumer Packaging brought in 68% of the revenue Sonoco broke down this way in fiscal 2025.
Business segments by year
| Business segments | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Packaging | $2.5B | $2.5B | $4.9B |
| Industrial Paper Packaging | $2.4B | $2.3B | $2.3B |
Regions
United States brought in 48% of the revenue Sonoco broke down this way in fiscal 2025.
Regions by year
| Regions | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $3.7B | $3.6B | $3.6B |
| Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) | $885.4M | $955.5M | $3.2B |
| Other Geographical Areas | $409.6M | $355.6M | $342.4M |
| Asia | $329.4M | $311.1M | $249.6M |
| Canada | $116.2M | $113.3M | $104.4M |
Where the money goes
Where each dollar of revenue went, fiscal 2025
- Cost of revenue74¢$5.9B
- Research and development0¢$21.5M
- Selling, general and admin11¢$862.2M
- Income tax2¢$183.6M
- Profit13¢$1.0B
Out of $7.5B in revenue.7
Where each dollar of operating cash went, fiscal 2025
- Capital spending50¢$344.0M
- Dividends paid30¢$208.1M
- Share buybacks2¢$10.9M
- Kept or used elsewhere18¢$126.7M
Out of $689.8M of cash from operations.7
Financial statements
Every line of the income statement in the latest annual report, as filed.7
| Period ending | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net sales | $7.5B | $5.3B | $5.4B |
| Cost of sales | $5.9B | $4.2B | $4.2B |
| Gross profit | $1.6B | $1.1B | $1.2B |
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $862.2M | $723.8M | $644.5M |
| Restructuring/Asset impairment charges, net | $66.2M | $65.4M | $47.9M |
| Gain/(Loss) on divestiture of business and other assets | $371.7M | -$23.5M | $78.9M |
| Operating profit | $1.0B | $326.6M | $589.0M |
| Non-operating pension costs | $12.2M | $13.8M | $14.3M |
| Interest expense | $233.5M | $172.6M | $135.4M |
| Interest income | $20.5M | $27.6M | $10.0M |
| Other (expense)/income, net | -$27.5M | -$104.2M | $39.7M |
| Income from continuing operations before income taxes | $765.1M | $63.5M | $489.0M |
| Provision for income taxes | $183.6M | $5.5M | $119.7M |
| Income before equity in earnings of affiliates | $581.5M | $58.0M | $369.3M |
| Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax | $9.5M | $9.6M | $10.3M |
| Net income from continuing operations | $591.0M | $67.6M | $379.6M |
| Net income from discontinued operations | $412.3M | $96.4M | $96.3M |
| Net income | $1.0B | $163.9M | $475.9M |
| Net (income)/loss from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | -$375.0K | $180.0K | -$768.0K |
| Net income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests | $0 | -$171.0K | -$174.0K |
| Net income attributable to Sonoco | $1.0B | $163.9M | $475.0M |
| Basic (in shares) | 99.1M shares | 98.6M shares | 98.3M shares |
| Assuming exercise of awards (in shares) | 447.0K shares | 653.0K shares | 596.0K shares |
| Diluted (in shares) | 99.6M shares | 99.3M shares | 98.9M shares |
| Continuing operations (usd per share) | $6 | $1 | $4 |
| Discontinued operations (usd per share) | $4 | $1 | $1 |
| Basic earnings per share attributable to Sonoco (usd per share) | $10.12 | $1.66 | $4.83 |
| Continuing operations (usd per share) | $6 | $1 | $4 |
| Discontinued operations (usd per share) | $4 | $1 | $1 |
| Diluted earnings per share attributable to Sonoco (usd per share) | $10.07 | $1.65 | $4.80 |
Every line of the balance sheet in the latest annual report, as filed.7
| Period ending | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents | $378.4M | $431.0M | |
| Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances of $12,512 in 2025 and $10,989 in 2024 | $842.8M | $907.5M | |
| Other receivables | $178.8M | $175.9M | |
| Inventories | $1.1B | $1.0B | |
| Prepaid expenses | $125.4M | $197.1M | |
| Current assets of discontinued operations | $0 | $450.9M | |
| Total Current Assets | $2.6B | $3.2B | |
| Property, Plant and Equipment, Net | $2.8B | $2.7B | |
| Goodwill | $2.5B | $2.5B | |
| Other Intangible Assets, Net | $2.7B | $2.6B | |
| Deferred Income Taxes | $54.4M | $17.4M | |
| Right of Use Asset-Operating Leases | $307.4M | $307.7M | |
| Other Assets | $161.2M | $208.8M | |
| Noncurrent Assets of Discontinued Operations | $0 | $964.3M | |
| Total Assets | $11.2B | $12.5B | |
| Payable to suppliers | $1.1B | $1.1B | |
| Accrued expenses and other payables | $638.8M | $463.5M | |
| Accrued wages and other compensation | $139.0M | $140.9M | |
| Notes payable and current portion of long-term debt | $538.0M | $2.1B | |
| Accrued taxes | $128.8M | $6.8M | |
| Current liabilities of discontinued operations | $0 | $242.1M | |
| Total Current Liabilities | $2.5B | $4.0B | |
| Long-term Debt | $3.8B | $5.0B | |
| Noncurrent Operating Lease Liabilities | $263.2M | $258.7M | |
| Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits | $178.0M | $180.8M | |
| Deferred Income Taxes | $557.0M | $583.5M | |
| Other Liabilities | $214.7M | $60.8M | |
| Noncurrent Liabilities of Discontinued Operations | $0 | $113.9M | |
| Total Liabilities | $7.5B | $10.2B | |
| Common shares, no par value Authorized 300,000 shares 98,631 and 98,260 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively | $7.2M | $7.2M | |
| Capital in excess of stated value | $191.9M | $183.2M | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) | $37.2M | -$502.7M | |
| Retained earnings | $3.4B | $2.6B | |
| Total Sonoco Shareholders Equity | $3.6B | $2.3B | |
| Noncontrolling Interests | $18.0M | $14.6M | |
| Total Equity | $3.6B | $2.3B | $2.4B |
| Total Liabilities and Equity | $11.2B | $12.5B | |
| Allowances for trade accounts receivable | $12.5M | $11.0M | |
| Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) | 30.0M shares | 30.0M shares | |
| Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) | 0 shares | 0 shares | |
| Preferred stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | 0 shares | 0 shares | |
| Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) | 300.0M shares | 300.0M shares | |
| Common stock, shares issued (in shares) | 98.6M shares | 98.3M shares | |
| Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares) | 98.6M shares | 98.3M shares |
Cash flow is reported year to date, not quarter by quarter, so there are no separate quarterly figures.
Every line of the cash flow in the latest annual report, as filed.7
| Period ending | 2025-12-31 | 2024-12-31 | 2023-12-31 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Net income | $1.0B | $163.9M | $475.9M |
| Asset impairments | $12.5M | $17.0M | $26.4M |
| Depreciation and amortization | $519.4M | $374.9M | $341.0M |
| Share-based compensation expense | $18.0M | $29.7M | $27.8M |
| Net loss on foreign currency remeasurement | $0 | $113.7M | $0 |
| Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of tax | -$9.5M | -$9.6M | -$10.3M |
| Cash dividends from affiliated companies | $24.8M | $11.9M | $9.4M |
| Net gain on disposition of assets | -$22.6M | -$55.0K | -$65.9M |
| Net (gain)/loss on divestiture of business | -$978.4M | $23.5M | -$57.1M |
| Gain on remeasurement of investment in affiliated companies | $0 | -$6.0M | $0 |
| Pension and postretirement plan expense | $17.8M | $17.5M | $17.5M |
| Pension and postretirement plan contributions | -$22.3M | -$19.6M | -$14.7M |
| Net decrease in deferred taxes | -$22.8M | -$55.7M | -$12.2M |
| Trade accounts receivable | $97.9M | $17.8M | $24.9M |
| Inventories | -$80.9M | -$13.3M | $342.7M |
| Payable to suppliers | -$87.5M | $123.6M | -$148.8M |
| Prepaid expenses | $42.4M | -$19.1M | $1.4M |
| Income taxes payable and other income tax items | $126.0M | -$11.3M | -$28.3M |
| Accrued expenses and other assets and liabilities | $51.5M | $75.1M | -$46.7M |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $689.8M | $833.8M | $882.9M |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | -$344.0M | -$393.2M | -$363.1M |
| Cash received in final net working capital settlement of acquisition | $16.5M | ||
| Cost of acquisitions, net of cash acquired1 | -$3.8B | -$372.6M | |
| Proceeds from the sale of business, net | $2.5B | $81.0M | $33.2M |
| Proceeds from the sale of assets, net | $47.0M | $15.6M | $80.3M |
| Proceeds from settlement of net investment hedge | $0 | $9.1M | |
| Cash settlement of forward contract | $0 | -$34.4M | $0 |
| Investments in affiliated companies and other net investing proceeds | $6.5M | $10.0M | $2.8M |
| Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities | $2.2B | -$4.1B | -$619.3M |
| Proceeds from issuance of debt | $66.7M | $4.1B | $962.6M |
| Principal repayment of debt | -$2.8B | -$151.5M | -$1.1B |
| Net (decrease)/increase in book cash overdrafts | -$3.7M | -$8.7M | $6.4M |
| Payment of loan financing costs | $0 | -$19.0M | $0 |
| Payment of contingent consideration | $0 | -$948.0K | $0 |
| Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests | -$243.0K | $0 | $0 |
| Cash dividends | -$208.1M | -$203.5M | -$197.4M |
| Payments for share repurchases | -$10.9M | -$9.2M | -$10.6M |
| Net cash (used)/provided by financing activities | -$3.0B | $3.7B | -$352.0M |
| Effects of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash | $36.4M | -$105.6M | $12.9M |
| (Decrease)/Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents | -$64.7M | $291.1M | -$75.5M |
| Non-cash additions to property, plant and equipment | $26.4M | $29.6M | $23.2M |
| Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized | $260.5M | $151.2M | $135.9M |
| Income taxes paid, net of refunds | $264.9M | $92.4M | $189.8M |
Leadership
Who has led Sonoco, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.
- FounderJames Lide Coker1
Products and brands
Sonoco is the world's largest producer of tubes, cores, and fiber concrete columns under the brand name Sonotube concrete forms and a leading manufacturer of blow-molded plastic containers, consumer and industrial thermoformed plastic packaging, engineered molded and extruded plastic products, rigid paperboard containers, and convenience closures.
Sonoco's operations consist of its consumer packaging businesses, including Global Rigid Paper and Closures, Global Flexibles, and Global Plastics; its Global Services division, which provides high-impact retail displays and packaging supply chain management; its Industrial Converted Products businesses, which manufacture tubes and cores and reels for the wire and cable industry, produces uncoated recycled paperboard globally for Sonoco's fiber-based packaging divisions and external converters, and includes Sonoco Recycling, one of the world's largest recyclers; and its Protective Packaging division, which produces highly engineered, custom-designed protective, temperature-assurance, and retail security packaging.
In September 2023, it was announced Sonoco has completed the acquisition of the US packaging company RTS Packaging from its holding company, WestRock for $330 million.
In December 2024, it was announced that Sonoco entered an agreement to sell its Thermoformed Flexible Packaging business (TFP) to TOPPAN Holdings, for approximately USD 1.8 billion.
From Wikipedia’s article on Sonoco, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.6
Subsidiaries and ownership
Subsidiaries
- Sonoco (United Kingdom)
From Wikidata.1
Timeline
- 1899Founded Founded1
Recent filings
- Oct 8, 2026SCHEDULE 13G
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Oct 5, 20264
- Sep 30, 20268-K
- Sep 14, 20264
- Sep 14, 20264
- Sep 14, 20264
- Sep 14, 20264
Every filing from the last three years, summarized. The full record is on SEC EDGAR.2
Links
- Websitewww.sonoco.com1
- X (Twitter)x.com/sonoco_products1
- Facebookwww.facebook.com/sonoco.products1
- YouTubewww.youtube.com/channel/UC8xq1feSR46htmO7mGmDjYQ1
- WikipediaSonoco
- WikidataQ7562151
- SEC EDGARCIK 91767
Sources
The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.
- 1WikidataSonoco on Wikidata
- 2SEC EDGARSonoco filings on SEC EDGAR
- 3WikipediaSonoco on Wikipedia
- 4Wikimedia CommonsSonoco logo by Sonoco Products Company, Public domain
- 5SEC EDGARSonoco filings on SEC EDGAR
- 6WikipediaSonoco on Wikipedia (revision used)
- 7SEC EDGARSonoco 10-K for fiscal 2025
- 8SEC EDGARSonoco 10-K for fiscal 2019
- 9SEC EDGARSonoco 10-K for fiscal 2020
- 10SEC EDGARSonoco 10-K for fiscal 2021
- 11SEC EDGARSonoco 10-K for fiscal 2022
- 12SEC EDGARSonoco 10-Q for fiscal 2025
- 13SEC EDGARSonoco 10-Q for fiscal 2025
- 14SEC EDGARSonoco 10-Q for fiscal 2026
- 15SEC EDGARSonoco 10-K for fiscal 2019