Sunday River Citrus Company (SRCC) has announced the departure of it managing director, Johan Stumpf, who will be joining a large meat exporter at the beginning of next year.
John Lynch, Chairman of South Africa-based SRCC, said the company deeply regretted Mr Stumpf's departure due to the contribution he made to setting up a marketing infrastructure, improving the capital structure of the company and stabilising the supply base and the BEE process.
'The strategies for continued success are well entrenched, and SRCC's successes over the past 5 years were as a result of a collective effort between the board and senior management and staff,' he said. 'These strategies will continue, and the board is comfortable that senior management, and other personnel, are extremely capable and will ensure that SRCC remains successful.'
Mr Stumpf said it was gratifying to note the growth in SRCC’s volumes from 5m cartons to 8m cartons during his time at the helm. 'We have taken over our own marketing and the number of growers who deliver their fruit exclusively to us have grown from 51 to 106,' he said. 'It is also important to note that we have introduced highly successful black economic empowerment programmes and 13 per cent of our fruit is now grown by black farmers.'
He added that all business in the fresh produce sector can expect difficult times ahead due to the economic recession in Europe. 'It is important to have a solid structure and supply base to deal with these challenging times.'
Mr Stumpf will be joining the well-known South African ostrich product producer and exporter Klein Karoo Cooperative early next year.
