New COO appointed to Westland Milk Products

Craig Betty. Photo / Supplied

Craig Betty has been appointed chief operations officer of Westland Milk Products.

It was the second new appointment to the co-operative's senior management team, Gary Yu having taken up the role of general manager China.

Chief executive Toni Brendish said Mr Betty's appointment would bring ''considerable operations experience'' to Westland.

Before joining Westland, he was regional general manager operations for the lower North Island for Fonterra and has had a career with Fonterra dating back to 2002.

Prior to that, he worked for such companies as Mainland Meats, Heinz Wattie, Huttons and Glaxo Pharmaceuticals.

Westland's current divisions manufacturing, quality and supply chain would all come under Mr Betty's areas of responsibility.

Mr Yu, a Chinese national, would lead the company's drive to strengthen its dairy-based nutritionals market in China and gain a larger share of the burgeoning Chinese food service market.

Before joining Westland, he was managing director Greater China for Griffith Laboratories.