US-based bottled water company Primo Water Corporation has appointed former PepsiCo executive Robbert Rietbroek as CEO, effective 1 January.

He takes the helm of the American-Canadian water company from incumbent CEO Tom Harrington, whose retirement was announced in May.

Rietbroek worked for PepsiCo for eight years, most recently as general manager of Quaker Oats Company from 2018. He headed PepsiCo Australia and New Zealand between 2015 and 2018.

Rietbroek said: "As CEO, I look forward to meeting the needs of our customers and supporting our dedicated associates as we deliver on our strategic priorities, and drive both long-term growth and value creation for our shareowners."

Florida-headquartered Primo Water produces multi-gallon bottled water, water dispensers, self-service refill water machines and water filtration appliances.

It generated approximately $2.2bn in annual revenue in 2022.

The company sells its water dispensers at approximately 10,800 retail locations and online across North America and Europe. It provides water exchange in approximately 17,500 retail locations and empty bottle refills at approximately 23,500 self-service stations.

Jerry Fowden, chairman of the board, said Rietbroek would “help guide Primo Water's ongoing transformation into a leading pure-play water company in North America".

He said: “Robbert has spent the last two decades developing a unique skill set that will enable him to excel in his new role as CEO of Primo Water. He is an outstanding leader with a commitment to excellence and a proven builder and leader of high-performance teams, and I look forward to watching Robbert lead the company in the years ahead.”

The water business has approved a $3.5m grant of restricted share units to Rietbroek as part of his hire package.