Andrew Simcock appointed GM of Biodiesel NZ

20 October 2008

Andrew Simcock appointed General Manager of Biodiesel New Zealand

Andrew Simcock has been appointed General Manager of Biodiesel New Zealand Ltd, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd’s renewable fuel business.

Mr Simcock, the former general manager sales and marketing of SKOPE Industries, brings considerable marketing, commercial and general management experience to the business. His career also includes roles with PlaceMakers, Carter Holt Harvey, PDL Industries and Firestone. Alongside a Master of Commerce (Honours) degree from the University of Canterbury, Mr Simcock also has a BSc in plant and microbial sciences.

Andy Matheson, Solid Energy General Manager Renewable Energy, says the appointment reflects the strong growth plans for the biodiesel business. “The role is effectively an addition to our current management strength and will focus on core operational performance,” Mr Matheson says.

Biodiesel New Zealand was established in May 2007 when Solid Energy purchased Canterbury Biodiesel, a business founded in 2005 by Paul Quinn. In relinquishing his general management duties, Mr Quinn moves to a technical advisory position and will focus on new capacity development, Mr Matheson says.

“In the past 17 months, the business has worked with South Island cropping farmers to successfully trial European oilseed rape varieties as a fuel feedstock, we have expanded our collection network for used cooking oil and we have a new oil extraction and biodiesel manufacturing facility under construction at Rolleston,” Mr Matheson says.

“As well as working with cropping farmers and the Foundation for Arable Research to ensure oilseed rape has a sustainable and worthwhile place in farmers’ regular crop rotations we are building a portfolio of contracts to help ensure future feedstock supply and the business is well on its way to its target of producing 70 million litres of high-quality biodiesel a year.”

Biodiesel New Zealand is soon to open discussions with farmers interested in contracts for autumn-sown oilseed rape, Mr Matheson says.

ENDS