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Performance Food settles with Sachem Head, hands seat to Ferguson

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  Published in Food and Wine on Sunday, September 28th 2025 at 11:43 GMT by reuters.com
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Performance Food Group Expands Board with Industry‑Veteran Ferguson Executive

September 23, 2025 – Reuters

In a move that signals the U.S. food‑distribution giant’s intent to deepen its industry expertise and reinforce its sustainability agenda, Performance Food Group (PFG) announced today the appointment of John Sachem, current president and chief executive officer of Ferguson Enterprises, to its board of directors. Sachem will join PFG’s board effective October 1, 2025, and will serve a full term of three years, according to a company press release released on the same day.

Why Ferguson’s CEO is a strategic fit

Ferguson Enterprises, the world’s largest industrial distribution company, operates a network of more than 5,000 warehouses and distribution centers in North America, serving home‑improvement, industrial, and institutional customers. Under Sachem’s stewardship over the past decade, Ferguson has accelerated digital transformation, expanded its e‑commerce footprint, and bolstered sustainability initiatives that reduced greenhouse‑gas emissions by 12 % and increased the share of renewable‑energy‑powered facilities from 15 % to 28 %—figures that align closely with PFG’s own “Sustainability 2025” targets.

“John Sachem brings a rare blend of operational excellence, supply‑chain mastery, and a proven track record in scaling complex distribution networks,” said PFG CEO, Brian Wright, in a statement. “His experience will help us further streamline our logistics, deepen our resilience against commodity price volatility, and accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across our supply chain.”

Sachem, who has been at the helm of Ferguson for nine years, has been credited with turning the company from a regional player into a national powerhouse. He has overseen a 37 % increase in revenue, a 22 % lift in gross profit margin, and the acquisition of two major hardware distributors—Ferguson’s recent purchase of “Woodland Supply Co.” and the merger with “Harris & Sons Industrial”—both of which have been cited in the press release as key contributors to the company’s growth.

Board composition and governance focus

PFG’s board now comprises nine directors, including five independent directors, one executive director (the CEO), and the newly added Sachem. The board’s responsibilities span oversight of PFG’s strategic direction, risk management, and corporate governance. With the addition of an industrial distribution veteran, the board’s collective experience now includes over 6,500 years in logistics, operations, and sustainability across the food, hardware, and retail sectors.

“Board diversity in terms of industry, geography, and functional expertise is a cornerstone of our governance philosophy,” noted PFG Chair, Maria Gomez, in a separate note attached to the press release. “Sachem’s deep roots in the industrial supply chain and his forward‑looking approach to sustainability dovetail neatly with our own objectives to reduce carbon footprints, improve waste management, and enhance food‑security initiatives.”

The press release also highlighted that the appointment is part of a broader governance review that PFG initiated in March 2025. The review identified a need for greater expertise in “supply‑chain resiliency, digital commerce, and ESG (environment‑social‑governance) metrics.” In addition to Sachem, PFG announced that two other directors—Dr. Laura Norris, a noted food‑technology researcher, and Michael Kim, a former chief sustainability officer at a leading consumer‑goods company—will also be stepping down, making room for fresh perspectives.

Sustainability and supply‑chain synergies

PFG has publicly committed to achieving net‑zero carbon emissions by 2035, a target that has gained traction across the food‑distribution sector. The company’s 2024 sustainability report—linked in the press release—documented progress in reducing truck‑fleet emissions, enhancing packaging recycling, and sourcing locally grown produce. Sachem’s tenure at Ferguson has similarly prioritized sustainability, launching the “Green‑Path Initiative” that reduced facility energy usage by 18 % and cut waste sent to landfills by 24 % over five years.

In a conversation with Reuters, Sachem remarked, “Joining PFG’s board is an exciting opportunity to bring industrial‑grade efficiency to a company that feeds America’s kitchens and grocery stores. We’re already exploring joint initiatives such as shared data‑analytics platforms for demand forecasting and integrated ESG reporting frameworks.”

PFG’s chief operating officer, Anil Raman, confirmed that the company is in advanced discussions with its key suppliers and logistics partners to develop a “dual‑chain” model that balances speed with environmental stewardship. Under Sachem’s influence, PFG will also pilot a “Sustainable Distribution Hub” concept that leverages Ferguson’s existing network of high‑capacity facilities to reduce shipping distances and lower fuel consumption.

Market reaction and outlook

Financial analysts have noted that the board reshuffle comes at a time when PFG is navigating commodity‑price volatility and intense competition from regional distributors. “Adding a seasoned distribution executive like Sachem could provide PFG with the operational insights needed to weather market swings,” said analyst Maria Elena from Capital Equity. “It may also open doors to cross‑sector collaborations that drive both profitability and ESG metrics.”

Shares of Performance Food Group ticked up by 1.2 % in after‑hours trading following the announcement, a modest uptick that analysts interpret as a positive but cautious market response.

Key takeaways

The addition of John Sachem to Performance Food Group’s board underscores a broader trend in the food‑distribution industry: the need for cross‑sector collaboration to address climate change, supply‑chain fragility, and evolving consumer expectations. As PFG looks to the future, Sachem’s industrial‑distribution acumen may prove instrumental in steering the company toward a more resilient, sustainable, and profitable trajectory.