Capespan Group has announced that Louis Kriel is to bring to an end his association with the group at the end of June, having served the fresh produce marketer for 22 years.
Kriel, who has been the chief executive of Capespan Group's fruit division since 2005, has operated throughout the transformation of the group and South Africa's fresh produce industry, from the days of single channel marketing, deregulation and the formation of grower-owned cooperatives, the merger between Outspan and Unifruco and the formation of Capespan in 1999.
'The opportune time has arrived for me to further my career outside of the fruit industry,' Kriel said in a statement.
Capespan Group CEO Johan Dique noted that Kriel's departure was unexpected, describing him as a company 'icon'.
'It is with great appreciation that we recognise the long and dedicated service by Louis during which he became an icon in the history of Capespan,' Dique commented. 'We certainly wish him well with his future plans and respect his decision.'
The group statement explained that Capespan would 'reflect on its strategy of repositioning as a customer-driven business', adding that any future announcements may include some 'management restructuring'.
