Refresco CEO Hans Roelofs to Retire After 18 Years
Refresco begins CEO succession as Hans Roelofs announces retirement; move follows recent acquisition to boost Nordic presence.
UK – Refresco, one of the world’s largest independent beverage solutions providers, has announced the upcoming retirement of its Chief Executive Officer Hans Roelofs, effective August 1, 2025.
Roelofs has served in the role since 2007, guiding the company through an era of rapid international expansion and strategic acquisitions.
During his 18-year tenure, Roelofs transformed Refresco from a small regional bottler into a global beverage powerhouse.
The company now operates in 13 countries with 75 manufacturing sites and employs over 14,000 people. Refresco’s broad customer base and diversified operations have been pivotal to its growth and resilience across evolving market conditions.
James Cunningham, Partner at KKR and Chairman of the Refresco Supervisory Board, acknowledged Roelofs’ contributions, stating, “Hans’s passion and commitment to Refresco were instrumental to the Company’s ascent to a global leadership position. We are grateful for his leadership and the strong foundation he leaves behind.”
Roelofs expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead Refresco, commenting, “It has been a true privilege to lead Refresco. With its blue-chip customer base, strong operations, and entrepreneurial spirit, the company is well-positioned for the future. I believe this is the right time to step back and let new leadership take the reins.”
The Refresco Supervisory Board has initiated a succession planning process to identify a new CEO. The announcement of Roelofs’ successor is expected in the coming months. In the meantime, Roelofs will continue to lead the company to ensure a seamless transition.
The leadership update comes shortly after Refresco announced the acquisition of Norway-based Telemark Kildevann Holding AS (TKV), a soft drinks and bottled water manufacturer.
This acquisition is part of Refresco’s strategic effort to strengthen its presence in the Nordic region, complementing its existing operations in Finland.
TKV operates two production facilities in Norway and supplies both private-label and branded beverage clients across Norway and Sweden.
As part of the deal, more than 60 TKV employees will join Refresco’s global workforce. The acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close later in 2025.
Refresco has not disclosed financial details of the transaction but confirmed that TKV’s facilities will be fully integrated into its global production network.
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