Univar Executive Chairman John J. Zillmer recently announced his retirement, effective December 28, 2012. William S. Stavropoulos will assume the role of Chairman of the Board.

“In John’s role as executive chairman and during his tenure as president and CEO, Univar experienced tremendous growth with outstanding leadership, including many successful acquisitions and initiatives that added new capabilities and increased Univar’s global scale,” Stavropoulos said.

“Univar’s growth and leadership succession have always been top priorities for me, and the transition of leadership to Erik Fyrwald is complete,” Zillmer said. “I have the utmost confidence in Erik, his leadership team, and the company’s strategy going forward.”

Zillmer will continue to serve on the boards of Reynolds American Inc. and Ecolab Inc., and will devote additional time and energy to his family’s John and Carol Zillmer Foundation, which is dedicated to the health and welfare of under-served children around the world. 

For additional information, visit www.univar.com.