Chiquita Brands International has announced that Edward Lonergan has been appointed as its new president and chief executive officer, a move that will come into effect on 8 October.
In taking the reigns at the US-based fresh produce giant, Lonergan is succeeding Fernando Aguirre, who had announced in August that he was planning to step down as chairman, president and CEO of the company.
'We are extremely pleased to announce that, after a thorough search process, the board has chosen Ed Lonergan as its next president and chief executive officer,' said Kerrii Anderson, who is also stepping into a new role as Chiquita's chairwoman of the board. 'Ed brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across many industries, and is widely recognised as an outstanding business leader with an impressive track record of success.
'Ed's leadership and operational expertise ideally suit him to lead Chiquita in its next phase of growth,' she added. 'I look forward to working closely with Ed as we continue to execute our strategic priorities and create stockholder value.'
Lonergan most recently served as president and CEO of cleaning company Diversey and has previously held roles at Gillette and Procter & Gamble.
'I am honoured and excited to have the opportunity to lead Chiquita, a company with strong equity and high-quality products,' said Lonergan. 'Chiquita has a solid foundation on which to build, and an excellent team in place that is well equipped to take the necessary steps to drive change and enhance operations.
'I am committed to working closely with the board, management team and talented employees to continue the company's financial and strategic turnaround aimed at refocusing and re-energising the core business and driving down costs,' he added. 'We believe this strategy will allow Chiquita to enhance its competitive position and further align its operations and investments to increase profitability, improve cash flow, reduce debt and drive long-term shareholder value.'
Anderson also thanks the outgoing Aguirre for his contribution to the company and his help in ensuring a smooth transition for Lonergan, while confirming that he would be available in a consultancy role for a 12-month period.
No comments yet