Fortune 500 metal and plastic packaging supplier Ball Corporation has appointed Michael Herdman to the new position of chief commercial officer, focusing on the company's global metal beverage packaging customers, and Gerrit Heske as president of Ball Packaging Europe, the company's European beverage can business.

Mr Herdman has been with Ball Corporation since 2004, first as president of Ball's metal beverage packaging, Americas, division and most recently as president of Ball Packaging Europe.

Mr Herdman's 37-year packaging career includes managing can making operations in Asia and Europe; directing worldwide business development through a global licensee network; and managing a plastic container division in the United States.

Mr Heske began his career at Ball Packaging Europe in 1993 in the Braunschweig, Germany, metal beverage packaging plant. He has been head of quality assurance; vice president, manufacturing and technology; and vice president, manufacturing, in that business.

Most recently, Mr Heske held the position of executive vice president and chief operation officer, Ball Packaging Europe.