Confident about the direction the New Zealand kiwifruit industry is headed, Tony Hawken sensed the time was right to step down from his role as CEO of EastPack.
Hawken announced this week that he will retire from the possition at the end of 2014, ending a 31-year reign at the helm of the leading kiwifruit postharvest operator.
“The company and the kiwifruit industry has come through a very difficult time as we’ve dealt with the impacts of PSA but now is the right time to hand over the reins,” Hawken explained. “Stability is vital for the company so a smooth transition to a new CEO will be the focus over the next few months.”
EastPack will retain Hawken’s services for special projects over the next two years, including an upcoming large capital development programme and any other programmes required by the incoming CEO.EastPack chairman Ray Sharp paid tribute to the role Hawken has played in shaping the company since its inception.
“During his time, the company has become New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit packing and coolstorage provider processing 27 per cent of the country’s kiwifruit,” Sharp said. “This exceptional growth has posed huge challenges to the CEO but he has always risen to these challenges and has become a highly regarded industry leader.”
The move follows the appointment of former Zespri chairman John Loughlin and communications expert Mark Giles to the EastPack board earlier this month.Sharp said EastPack has commenced a search for a replacement CEO.
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