Leadership changes at Huntsman

The Woodlands, Texas — Huntsman’s leadership changed at midnight on 31 December 2017, as Jon Huntsman stepped down as executive chairman and was replaced by his son, Peter.

The role of executive chairman was also eliminated.

Peter Huntsman was already president and CEO of the materials company. Jon Huntsman will continue as chairman emeritus and a board member.

‘I am honoured to be taking on this responsibility. The company has never been stronger and had more opportunities,’ Peter Huntsman said in a December news  release. ‘This will be a smooth transition. My father will continue as a board member, maintaining relations with customers, suppliers and policy makers, as well as sharing his industry experience.’

Jon Huntsman added in the release that ‘it’s a high honour to turn the chairmanship role over to Peter’.

Jon Huntsman founded the company in Salt Lake City, Utah in 1970 as a plastic foam packaging maker. The business’s early products included polystyrene egg cartons and the iconic PS clamshell for McDonald’s Big Mac.

Huntsman Corp. expanded through a series of strategic acquisitions. The company now employs 10,000, and has annual sales of around $7 bn.