Following negative growth in the local market, Fonterra is combining its Australian New Zealand (ANZ), Southeast Asia (ASEAN), Middle East and North Africa (MENA) businesses into one unit.
From January next year, the new Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa (APMEA) business will be headed by Mark Wilson, Fonterra's existing managing director of AEAN and MENA.
John Doumani, Fonterra's current managing director ANZ, will assist in the transition period and leave the co-operative at the end of March 2013.
Fonterra's chief executive Theo Spierings said the move was part of the co-operative’s strategy to grow its consumer businesses.
“Our businesses across Asia Pacific represent around 40 per cent of our earnings and are vital to the co-operative,” said Spierings.
“There are big growth opportunities in the emerging markets of Asia and Middle East, and some challenges to address in our home markets of Australia and New Zealand and our strategy requires us to address both.”
As part of its group strategy refresh, Fonterra identified growth potential in China, ASEAN, MENA, and Latin America (Latam). The co-operative is seeking to increase value and volumes in these markets to offset the tough trading conditions in its mature markets.
For the 2012 year, Fonterra reported total sales volume in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) of 959,000 MT was four per cent lower than the previous financial year, adjusting for last year’s sale of the Western Australia dairy business.
Wilson joined Fonterra in 2008 and is based in Hong Kong. He has more than 35 years of experience in consumer goods across Asia, the Pacific, South America and Europe and previously managed Danone’s nutrition business across Asia and the Pacific.
Doumani joined Fonterra in 2007 after a 25 year career in international business and consumer brands. Prior to joining the co-operative, he held the positions of president international of the Campbell Soup Company, responsible for its operations across Europe, Asia and the Pacific; and managing director of Meadow Lea Foods.
Fonterra has announced a number of senior management changes in over the last few months. This week, it announced Hamish Gowans has been appointed general manager of its new office in India. Other appointments include Alex Turnbull as MD Latin America; Ian Palliser as managing director group optimisation and supply chain; Maury Leyland as group general manager strategy; Paul Campbell as group general manager mergers and acquisitions; Todd Muller as managing director cooperative affairs; and Sarah Kennedy as managing director of Fonterra Nutrition.
