Sappi North America CEO to step down in 2027; successor named

Mike Haws, the CEO who led the $400 million update of Sappi North America's Skowhegan paper mill, will step down early next year. His successor as president and CEO will be Kirk Ross, 51, who is now vice president of manufacturing for Boston-based Sappi North America. The announcement was made Thursday by corporate parent Sappi Ltd., which is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. While the change will take effect Jan. 1, 2027, Haws will stay at the company through February to help with the transition. The 63-year-old has spent 14 years at Sappi, including seven as president and CEO of the North American division. Haws was honored as a Mainebiz Business Leader of the Year in 2025. “I would like to thank Mike for his outstanding service and leadership throughout his career and particularly during his time with Sappi," said Steve Binnie, CEO of the parent company, Sappi Ltd., which is based in Johannesburg, South Africa. "His tenure was marked by several significant achievements, including the successful integration of the Matane Pulp Mill, guiding the North American business through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and restoring the business to record profitability in 2021 and 2022," Binnie added. Haws's achievements include the conversion of paper machine No. 2 at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan. In March 2025, when Haws was honored by Mainebiz, Sappi had 1,200 Maine employees, including 780 at the Skowhegan mill, 170 in Westbrook and the balance at Portland corporate office and technology center. More about Ross Ross brings nearly three decades of industry experience and two decades of leadership within Sappi. Since being appointed vice president of manufacturing in July 2025, he has led manufacturing operations across Sappi North America. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from the University of Maine, where he was a UMaine Pulp and Paper Foundation scholarship recipient. He participated in the Harvard Business School Executive Education Program in 2024. Previously, Kirk served as project director for Project Elevate, the conversion and expansion of Somerset Mill’s paper mill No. 2 to produce packaging-grade products. At different times, he has also been director of marketing and brand management, R&D and manufacturing services. “I am pleased that we are able to ensure a seamless leadership transition from Mike Haws to Kirk Ross," Binnie said, pointing to the latter's combination of business, technical, manufacturing and commercial expertise.