AFFCO US Head Resigns

The President of AFFCO New Zealand Ltd's USA business has resigned following the company's decision last month to withdraw from its meat importing operations in the USA.

Selwyn Hayton will leave AFFCO on 31 December after 30 years involvement in the New Zealand meat industry, the last 11 as head of the company's United States operation.

AFFCO Executive Chairman Sam Lewis paid tribute to Mr Hayton's work in establishing and overseeing a trading office for the company in North America.

"Selwyn went to the United States in 1990 to research the US market for beef, and stayed on to establish a viable business for the company. By 1998, AFFCO USA had grown to be one of the leading importers of beef into the USA."

Mr Lewis said that after extensive evaluation AFFCO had concluded that it was more cost-effective to use agency services for the importing function, rather than handling product directly.

"It is a measure of the outstanding contribution Selwyn has made to AFFCO that the company enjoys extensive and strong relationships in the US market," said Mr Lewis.

Mr Hayton will continue to reside in the United States.

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