The Univeg Group of Companies has formed a new executive management team to head up its global fresh produce operations, with immediate effect, it was announced today.
Led by current Univeg Germany managing director Francis Kint, the new management team will work exclusively on increasing coordination between the various companies that form part of Univeg's Fruit & Vegetables business unit.
'The business unit has grown vastly through internal growth and acquisitions such as, among others, Bakker Barendrecht, the Bocchi group, the Katopé group and most recently Atlanta and Alara,' commented group chief executive Hein Deprez. 'It is now a global leader in its field, with growing and sourcing activities in all major regions of the world and it is a premier fresh produce provider in Europe.'
As chief executive officer of the Fruit & Vegetables business unit, Mr Kint will report directly to Mr Deprez, who will continue as CEO in charge of the Univeg group of companies, which includes business units for Fruit & Vegetables, Flowers & Plants, Convenience and Transport & Logistics.
Mr Kint will focus on issues relating to strategic and market development, while continuing to devote an important part of his time to the group's business in Germany.
Meanwhile, Tom Paemeleire has been named as chief operating officer of the Fruit & Vegetables unit, reporting to Mr Kint.
He will assume responsibility for all production and sourcing operations, as well as the day-to-day running of the subsidiary, transferring his current responsibilities as chief integration officer to the management team at Univeg Germany.
Eric Aelvoet, who has been working for the Univeg Group for 11 years, has been appointed chief financial officer of the business unit and will also report to Mr Kint.
'The objective of this change is to have the business unit led by a 100 per cent focused team,' continued Mr Deprez. 'It will maximise synergies by further integrating the companies of the group and will make all Univeg’s product lines and the competences of its teams available for all markets. The team will continue to operate under Univeg’s customer-focused approach and strategy.'
