The Australian Fresh Fruit Company (AFFCO), which was established in 1995 to add value to the fresh produce supply chain by linking experts from all areas of the industry, has announced that its general manager Andrew Dick is to step down after more than 15 years with the group.
In a statement, AFFCO chairman Max Scales said Mr Dick – who is also company secretary of Pink Lady Australia – had decided to pursue 'new interests' and confirmed he would be leaving the company at the end of February 2011.
'The Board of AFFCO, and especially I as its chairman, has worked closely with Andrew over the last months to effect this smooth transition,' Mr Scales commented.
'We will manage the period ahead of us carefully and in order to protect the business’s integrity in the transition period.'
AFFCO is responsible for managing the rights to a number of trademarked fruits, including Pink Lady and Cameo apples as well as Silvana Pears.
Mr Scales insisted the handover to a new general manager would be carried out in such a way as to keep such projects on track.
'To preserve as much of the IP as we can, Andrew will continue to manage the Well Informed Grower project and continue with the development of the AFFCO Profit Planner,' he explained.
A decision as to a replacement for Andrew will be made in due course, but in the meantime AFFCO project coordinator Sally Piper is set to report directly to Mr Scales and take on additionally duties to manage the business and service group members.
'Andrew has been an outstanding contributor to AFFCO and I know that you will want to join me in wishing him every success in his exciting new venture,' Mr Scales added.
Separately, Rob Cathels from the Sydney-based fruit distributor N&A Group has been appointed to the AFFCO board.
'Rob is a leading industry identity and he will be able to help shape our decision-making and board processes very effectively and his opinions will be welcomed,' Mr Scales commented.
In addition, AFFCO has made further changes to its organisational structure with the creation of a so-called council of leaders, which will assist the AFFCO board and management in its direction and value proposition.
The seven inaugural council members are: Scott Montague, Montague Fresh; Jon Durham, APAL; Ian Muir, EE Muir & Sons; Mark Joyce, Joyson Orchards; Michael Cox, Lenswood Cold Stores Co-operative; Rob Cathels, N&A Group and Max Scales, who as well as being AFFCO chairman is also director of Scales Consulting Group.
'From time to time new members will be co-opted to ensure that our voice is a strong one and fully representative of all sectors,' Mr Scales continued. 'The council will meet at least quarterly or as required and these meetings will be face to face to ensure maximum effectiveness.'
He added: 'AFFCO is in extremely good hands, and when the time is right our new general manager will be charged with the responsibility to take the business into the next 15 years.
'The board and the council of leaders are some of the best names in the industry and they are well positioned to ensure that we deliver on our promises. Most importantly they are very positive and determined to ensure that our value proposition is clear and measurable.'
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