KEY POINTS:
Australasian food giant Goodman Fielder is restructuring its New Zealand division, a move which has prompted the resignation of local managing director Alison Taylor.
The listed company's dairy and baking businesses in New Zealand will now operate as individual business units rather than as part of a larger
GF Fresh New Zealand division.
Taylor will leave next month.
There were no plans for downsizing, job cuts or other changes, a Goodman Fielder spokesman said.
"I'm sure there'll be gains but savings isn't the issue, it's a matter of providing focus to the business."
Taylor had the option of staying, he said.
"But she's chosen to go, which is fair enough because her job's a bit smaller now than what it was."
The purpose of the restructuring was to improve the performance of both businesses "particularly the dairy business, and to that end, they've appointed a specialist in that area", the spokesman said.
David Glik - currently group executive, marketing and innovation at National Foods - will become managing director of Goodman Fielder's New Zealand Fresh Dairy division.
Phil Hand has been appointed managing director of the Fresh Baking New Zealand division and will report to GF Fresh Baking managing director Gordon Hardie.
In November the company said it expected to meet its forecast earnings and dividend for the year despite expecting difficult trading conditions in the last part of the year.
Last week Goodman Fielder confirmed it would pay the full acquisition price of $869.59 million for New Zealand Dairy Foods Holdings, which had achieved revenue targets since the deal was announced.
The company's share price closed unchanged at $2.58 yesterday. It has risen 9c since the start of the year.
Goodman Fielder was delisted in 2003 when Graeme Hart vehicle Burns Philp executed a A$2.25 billion ($2.54 billion) takeover.
The business, plus dairy assets belonging to Hart's Rank company, was relisted in December, 2005 ,by Burns Philp with a value of A$2.65 billion and raising A$2.12 billion.
Hart bought into Burns Philp in 1997 and in November was successful in his bid to take full control of the company - gaining access to its $2.9 billion in cash, Blue Bird Foods and a 20 per cent stake in Goodman Fielder.
GOODMAN FIELDER
* More than 6000 employees across Australia and New Zealand.
* Brands include Vogel's, Freya's, Meadow Fresh, Tararua and Kiwi Bacon.
* Products delivered to more than 29,000 outlets every day.
* Graeme Hart still owns a 20 per cent stake.
