European fresh produce association Freshfel Europe has for the first time in its history named a German retailer as its new president, with the appointment of previous vice-president Stephan Weist, director of category management for fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants at German supermarket chain Rewe.
With previous incumbent Luc Clerx’s tenure coming to a close, the group's members approved Weist's promotion during its annual general meeting in Hamburg, Germany, as well as the appointment of Salvo Laudani, marketing manager at Sicilian exporter Oranfrizer, as vice-president.
Having started out as a central purchaser at the company back in 1984, Weist went on to work in fresh produce management positions at Chiquita between 2000 and 2009, followed by four years at Landgard, before returning to the Cologne-based retailer.
Laudani, meanwhile, is a key figure in the Italian fresh produce business and currently president of the Sicilian branch of import/export body Fruitimprese.
He has overseen Oranfrizer’s marketing activities as well as its juice division for 20 years, and for the past decade has been a member of the Sicilian Red Orange PGI Consortium’s board of directors.
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