Apata chief executive Stuart Weston will be swapping kiwifruit and avocados for meat after being named yesterday as the next chief executive of Waikato-based Affco.
He will replace Tony Egan, who is moving from the listed meat processor to a similar role at AgriQuality in April.
Weston has
had 16 years' experience in the kiwifruit industry. Before joining Tauranga-based Apata he was general manager of Eleos, a Bay of Plenty kiwifruit operator. Apata is a large kiwifruit and avocado operator with clients from Northland to Horowhenua.
Affco said Weston had overseen exceptional growth and profits at Apata.
"His wide and diverse knowledge of seasonal food processing will be an asset to Affco," the company said.
Chairman Sam Lewis said the effect of a strong dollar on the meat sector was one issue Weston would have to face.
Weston said yesterday his experience in one primary sector would be of clear benefit in his new role.
"I can pick up on a lot of the issues that run parallel in any primary industry. We're all grappling with the same things: cost of labour, calibre of labour, cost of money, forex, weather."
Affco shares closed yesterday up 1c to 37c.
