AOI name-change agreed

Alliance One International said yesterday that its shareholders had approved at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on August 16 a change of corporate name to Pyxus International, Inc.
The company plans to start using the name Pyxus on September 12, at which time the company’s shares will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol PYX. Until then, the company’s shares will continue to trade on the NYSE under the symbol AOI.
The company said it would use the Alliance One ‘brand name’ for its leaf tobacco business.
“Our transition to Pyxus International is a significant milestone in our ‘One Tomorrow’ transformation journey,” said Pieter Sikkel (pictured), president and CEO.
“As we continue broadening our business portfolio by focusing on consumer-driven agricultural products, the new organization will enable us to become the trusted provider of responsibly produced, independently verified, sustainable and traceable agricultural products, ingredients and services.”
Meanwhile, the Board of Directors approved changes to its leadership. Sikkel has been appointed chairman of the Board, replacing Mark Kehaya, and Jeffrey A. Eckmann will assume the role as lead independent director from C. Richard (“Dick”) Green, Jr. Both Kehaya and Green will remain members of the Board.