spot_img
Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Triad: Billy Prim is stepping down as CEO of Primo Water

By Ogi Overman

Billy Prim planned to step down May 31 as chief executive officer of Primo Water, the Winston-Salem-based bottled-water distributor that he started in 2004 after selling his propane-gas business for $343 million. Matt Sheehan, who joined the company five years ago as chief operating officer, is the new president and CEO in what the company calls “part of its established leadership succession plan.” Prim, 61, will remain with the firm as executive chairman.

While no explanation was given for the leadership change, a statement from Prim notes, “I am very excited about where the company is positioned today and believe Matt is the best person to oversee the next stage of growth for Primo.”

Primo Water went public in 2010 and now has more than 45,000 locations across the U.S. and Canada. The building process has proven challenging, with the company posting annual losses until breaking into the black in 2015. Shares of Primo trade close to the $12 initial public offering price more than six years ago, but with improved sales and profit, shares have nearly tripled over the last three years. First-quarter sales jumped 88% to $60.7 million following the company’s $273 million acquisition of California-based Glacier Water Services in December.

Before joining Primo, Sheehan, 43, worked for 20 years at Coinstar, which has been renamed Outerwall. The company converts loose coins into paper currency and also owns the Redbox DVD-rental service.

A Yadkin County native, Prim bought a heating-oil distributorship in the late 1970s. When a Wal-Mart manager in Elkin asked about the possibility of an on-site propane exchange, he developed the idea for Blue Rhino. The company went public in 1998, and six years later he sold it to Overland Park, Kan.-based Ferrellgas.

Prim is Primo Water’s biggest shareholder, owning stock valued at about $31 million in mid-May. At the time, the company’s market value was about $360 million.


HIGH POINT — Ralph Lauren plans to lay off 107 workers by July 15 at its local service and distribution centers.  Amid declining sales, the New York-based apparel and home-goods retailer said last year it would lay off 8% of its workforce to trim costs. Ralph Lauren employed more than 2,800 people in High Point as of December.

GREENSBORO — Kevin Hall was named chief executive officer of textile manufacturer Unifi. Hall, 58, was CEO of Geneva Watch Group since 2014 and previously held marketing positions at Procter & Gamble, Hanesbrands and Fidelity Investments. Chief Financial Officer Sean Goodman resigned; his replacement has not been named.

REIDSVILLE — TMD WEK South will close its local plant, idling 96 workers. The Jefferson, Ohio-based company makes components for cars, trucks, watercraft and HVAC systems. Production will move to another U.S. location, the company says.

WINSTON-SALEM — BB&T CEO Kelly King said the bank will close about 100 branches this year as more customers use its digital platform. The bank has 2,193 branches in 15 states and the District of Columbia and assets of $220.5 billion as of March 31.

BusinessNC
BusinessNChttp://businessnc.com
For 40 years, sharing the stories of North Carolina's dynamic business community.

Related Articles

TRENDING NOW

Newsletters