Skip to content
Newsroom

Campbell Appoints Larry McWilliams President of North America Soup; McWilliams has been Interim President of North America Soup since August 2002

Press Releases

CAMDEN, N.J., Apr 10, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Campbell Soup
Company (NYSE:CPB) today announced the appointment of Larry S.
McWilliams, Senior Vice President – Sales, Chief Customer Officer, as
President of North America Soup, reporting to Douglas R. Conant,
President and Chief Executive Officer. McWilliams has served as
interim President of North America Soup since August 2002.

North America Soup is Campbell’s largest business segment and
includes market-leading brands such as “Campbell’s,” “Chunky” and
“Select” soups, “Swanson” broths and the Away From Home food service
business. In fiscal 2002, the segment generated sales of $2.5 billion.

As Campbell’s Chief Customer Officer and interim President of
North America Soup, McWilliams has played a key role in shaping and
executing Campbell’s strategy to revitalize its core U.S. Soup
business. Since he joined Campbell in February 2001, McWilliams has
led efforts to strengthen the company’s relationships with its retail
customers. Most recently, he was the driving force behind the launch
of Campbell’s new convenience line of single-serve, microwaveable
soups. This new line, which will be launched under the banner “M’m!
M’m! Good! To Go,” builds on the success of Campbell’s “Soup at Hand,”
the portable, sippable soup, and includes varieties of “Chunky” and
“Select” soups in single-serve, microwaveable bowls.

As President of North America Soup, McWilliams will continue to be
responsible for developing strategic initiatives in support of the
company’s core soup businesses in the U.S. and Canada. Campbell Soup
Company’s North American sales organization will continue to report to
McWilliams until a successor is named.

Commenting on the appointment, Conant said, “Our primary goal is
to revitalize our U.S. soup franchise. Larry McWilliams has the
experience, talent and instincts to make that happen. He is an
outstanding leader and a strong team builder with a deep understanding
of our broad range of customers and consumers. Working with the U.S.
Soup team, headed by Jeremy Fingerman, and with the Campbell
leadership team, Larry has led the development of a comprehensive soup
program, including product and packaging innovation, consumer
marketing and sales execution. As we gear up for Fiscal 2004, which
begins in August, I am looking forward to Larry’s continued leadership
as President of our North America Soup business.”

McWilliams has more than 20 years of senior leadership experience
at consumer products companies. Before joining Campbell in March 2001,
he was Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Minute Maid
Company N.A., a $1.7 billion division of The Coca Cola Company. Prior
to Coca-Cola, he held senior sales positions at The Pillsbury Company,
The Drackett Company, formerly a subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb,
and General Foods. McWilliams is a native of Texas who earned his
Bachelor of Science degree at Texas A&M University.

McWilliams said, “We have the right team in place, which continues
to lay the groundwork to significantly accelerate the business. I am
delighted and honored to be given the opportunity to lead the world’s
largest soup business at such a critical and exciting time in its
history.”

About Campbell Soup Company

Campbell Soup Company is a global manufacturer and marketer of
high quality soup, sauces, beverage, biscuits, confectionery and
prepared food products. The company owns a portfolio of more than 20
market-leading businesses each with more than $100 million in sales.
They include “Campbell’s” soups worldwide, “Erasco” soups in Germany
and “Liebig” soups in France, “Pepperidge Farm” cookies and crackers,
“V8” vegetable juices, “V8 Splash” juice beverages, “Pace” Mexican
sauces, “Prego” pasta sauces, “Franco-American” canned pastas and
gravies, “Swanson” broths, “Homepride” sauces in the United Kingdom,
“Arnott’s” biscuits in Australia and “Godiva” chocolates around the
world. The company also owns dry soup and sauce businesses in Europe
under the “Batchelors,” “Oxo,” “Lesieur,” “Royco,” “Liebig,” “Heisse
Tasse,” “Bla Band” and “McDonnells” brands. The company is ably
supported by approximately 25,000 employees worldwide. For more
information on the company, visit Campbell’s website on the Internet
at www.campbellsoup.com.

Campbell Soup Company
Media:
Michelle M. Davidson, 856/968-4390
or
Analysts:
Leonard F. Griehs, 856/342-6428
Share
FacebookTwitterLinkedInShare
Press Releases