International fresh produce researcher, producer and distributor Sun World has announced the appointment of Merrill Dibble as its new president and CEO, succeeding David Dever.
Dibble joins the group from AgReserves, where he served as the company's Bakersfield-based vice-president of Californian operations for the company's almond, pistachio, walnut and prune operations.
According to the group, the move comes at a time when its is undertaking an 'aggressive plan to strengthen its position as a premier grape breeder, producer, marketer and licensor'.
The leadership transition is part of a wider strategy to optimise Sun World's product portfolio, expand its international trading platform and bolster its variety development and licensing business, with the group announcing several strategic focuses.
These focuses included portfolio optimisation, namely a bid to better meet customer demand in its grape business by progressing an aggressive California planting programme, as well as divesting its strawberry and pepper farming, citrus packing and marketing interests.
Sun World will also focus on varietal development as the company continues to bring differentiated grape and stonefruit varieties to market with unique and improved flavours, colours, sizes and textures.
Finally the group says it is committed to licensing growth, expanding its presence further across Europe, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Israel, South America and North America to help meet demand.
'Sun World has the proprietary varieties that deliver a distinguishable difference in taste and quality,' said Dibble. 'I am excited to lead the Sun World team as we focus our efforts on world-class plant science, exceptional farming practices and differentiated sales and marketing programmes that allow us to be a superior supplier, and to deliver healthy, delicious grapes that delight consumers around the world.'
