Keith McLoughlin, the former CEO of Electrolux AB, was named interim CEO of Campbell Soup Co. on Friday morning.
McLoughlin, 61, has been a Campbell board member since 2016. He replaces CEO and President Denise Morrison, who announced her retirement Friday morning, effective immediately.
Les C. Vinney, chairman of the board at Campbell, said the company was fortunate to have someone of McLoughlin’s stature available to take over immediately, facilitating an orderly transition in management.
The board will begin a search for permanent CEO immediately.
“We are fortunate to have on our board a talented and experienced business leader in Keith who is prepared to step into the CEO position on an interim basis,” Vinney said in a release. “Keith is deeply familiar with our strategy, our team and our brands, and we are confident in his ability to lead the company during this transitional period.”
McLoughlin said he welcomes the opportunity.
“Having been a director and observing the company over an extended period of time, I know where Campbell has been and where it’s headed, and am excited to lead the company as we continue to work to increase value for all our stakeholders,” he said in a release. “I am eager to begin working with our talented team as we strive to accelerate our growth strategy, improve our execution and deliver shareholder value.”
McLoughlin was CEO and president of Electrolux AB, a global manufacturer of major household appliances, from 2011 until his retirement in January 2016.
(READ MORE from ROI-NJ on Denise Morrison’s retirement.)
His tenure, however, ended on uncertain terms.
McLoughlin announced his retirement shortly after General Electric walked away from a $3.3 billion agreement to sell its appliances business to Electrolux.
The deal, which would made Electrolux the biggest appliance maker in the world (ahead of Whirlpool) was facing opposition from antitrust regulators, according to a report by Reuters.
McLoughlin joined Electrolux AB in 2003 as head of Major Appliances North America and executive vice president of Electrolux AB.
(READ MORE from ROI-NJ on female leaders’ reaction.)
Between 2004-07, he also served as head of major appliances Latin America. From 2009-11, he served as chief operations officer and executive vice president.
Before joining Electrolux AB, McLoughlin spent 22 years in senior leadership roles at E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., leading several consumer brand businesses.
McLoughlin graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in engineering. He is a member of the board of directors at Briggs & Stratton Corp. He has served as an independent director on Campbell’s board since 2016.
