Leading US-headquartered global fresh produce exporter The Fresh Connection has significantly bolstered its team in Australia with the appointment of veteran produce executive Michael Silm.
Silm boasts a long history in Australia’s fruit export business, having founded stonefruit grower-packer-marketer Panda Ranch in the mid-1990s and built up the business before it was sold to Freshmax in 2007. Since then, he has held international trade positions with Montague’s and Premier Fruits Group, where he was responsible for setting up and growing the company’s international business unit.
Silm joins The Fresh Connection South Pacific’s Sydney-based operations where he will continue to focus on developing Australian and New Zealand exports.
“I am excited to be joining such a dynamic team led by Hank Miller and Will Mehrten,” Silm said. “I have watched their company evolve into a true leader in the industry and look forward to helping them with their continued growth from Australia and New Zealand.”
Mehrten said Silm’s addition would be “an excellent complement” to The Fresh Connection team. “Michael brings a tremendous amount of experience and energy to the business and will be an integral part of our future growth,” he said. “We are very happy to have him on board.”
