Piet Karsten has announced that he will step down from his role as chief executive officer of the Karsten Group and retire on 1 October this year.
Karsten, co-founder of the South African company in 1968, said that the process of handing over to a new CEO would begin in July following a three-month leave period.
The group is aiming to complete the process by Karsten's retirement date on 1 October.
'As co-founder of the Karsten Group in 1968, we have come a long way from the original well-known 15 hectares, which started this business,' he said. 'I was an entrepreneur with endless ideas and hopes for the future.
'It was not easy, but with the support of friends, family, colleagues and you, we built a company that has stood the test of time over the last 53 years,' Karsten continued. 'The Karsten Group is not just a business, it was my life’s work.'
He went on to thank everyone who had supported him during his years as CEO of the Karsten Group.
'I am extremely proud of what we have achieved, together, in creating jobs and improving lives of people around us,' Karsten added. 'Agriculture, in any form, is very dear to my heart, and I am extremely fortunate to have been part of an extended community who supported and improved agricultural practices, not only for the sake of people, but the environment and our country.'
