During its annual meeting at Fruit Logistica in Berlin, the World Apple & Pear Association (WAPA) elected Kevin Moffitt of USA Pears as its new president, replacing Alessandro Dalpiaz of Assomela in Italy who has chaired the association for the last two years. Peter Beaven of Pipfruit New Zealand was also elected as the association’s new vice-president.
Cold chain clean technology provider Purfresh has moved to bring in two seasoned ocean transportation and horticultural experts in a bid to focus on strategic initiatives that support the rapid adoption of the group's solutions. The group has appointed John Harnett as a senior director at Purfresh Transport, while also hiring Dr Malcolm Dodd as manager of its Purfresh Africa arm.
VLAM, Flanders’ Agricultural Marketing Board, has announced the appointment of Sofie Lambrecht as its new product manager for fruit and vegetables replacing Evy de Troch in the role.
Former Florette director Ermanno Serughetti has been officially named as the new national sales director of La Linea Verde, tasked with growing the company’s Italian sales while achieving even greater consolidation in La Linea Verde’s business.
The 11th general meeting of the AREFLH (Assembly of the European Regions Producing Fruit, Vegetables and Plants) took place in Marseille, France, on 4 February, with Fabrice Verdier elected president for the next three years and Luciano Trentini reelected vice-president.
Meanwhile, Mr Trentini has also been reappointed as president of Euroasper, the European Asparagus Producers’ Association, for the next two years.
Wolfgang Ahlers, a key member of fresh produce company Univeg’s food safety and compliance team, has died after a long illness. According to a statement released by Univeg Germany, Mr Ahlers passed away in his hometown of Stuhr, Germany on 26 January 2011.
North American exporter Ontario International has expressed great sadness at the passing of company founder and president Paul Genecco, who died on 26 January following a long battle with brain cancer.
