Fuji Seal Europe has announced the appointment of Marieke Sauer-Ploegmakers as Managing Director, allowing Global COO Yoichi Okazaki to focus on the company’s long-term growth.
Fuji Seal Europe has announced a senior leadership transition. The packaging manufacturer has appointed Marieke Sauer-Ploegmakers as Managing Director for its European operations. She takes over the regional leadership responsibilities from Global Chief Operating Officer Yoichi Okazaki. Following the handover, Okazaki will focus entirely on the broader global priorities and long-term growth objectives of the Fuji Seal Group.
In her new position, Sauer-Ploegmakers will lead the European business segment. The company states that her responsibilities include driving regional strategy, overseeing performance, and maintaining operational stability across the Fuji Seal Europe network. She assumes the Managing Director position alongside her ongoing global duties as Chief Human Resources Officer and Executive Officer for the wider group. Sauer-Ploegmakers has worked with Fuji Seal for more than 12 years, holding various senior human resources and business leadership roles. According to the manufacturer, she has played a key role in supporting teams across Europe and guiding transformation initiatives aligned with the long-term direction of the business.
Fuji Seal operates globally as a specialist in decorative packaging solutions, including shrink sleeve labels, pressure-sensitive labels, spouted pouches, and packaging machinery. The company serves the fast-moving consumer goods sector, covering the food, beverage, dairy, personal care, and pharmaceutical markets. The European division forms a critical part of the company’s international supply chain and manufacturing network.
Yoichi Okazaki, who has been with the Fuji Seal Group for 13 years, steps away from the European leadership role to concentrate on his global position. His experience spans production, factory planning, machinery leadership, and corporate planning across both Japan and Europe. The business notes that this structural change gives customers, partners, and employees clear leadership within Europe, while simultaneously keeping the regional operations aligned with the long-term plans of the global organisation.
Commenting on her new role, Sauer-Ploegmakers says, “I’m truly grateful for the trust and support from our teams across Europe. My focus is on ensuring we continue to deliver for our customers, strengthen collaboration across the region, and build on the solid foundations already in place.”
Okazaki adds, “Marieke’s appointment reflects the strength of our European organisation and the importance of clear, day-to-day regional leadership. With Marieke now leading the European business, I will focus on Group-wide priorities that support our long-term growth, global direction and business and sustainability goals.”