Frucor Beverages announces appointment of new MD

Media Release
9th May 2011

Frucor Beverages announces appointment of new Managing Director

Frucor Beverages today announced the appointment of Carl Bergstrom as Group Managing Director. Carl replaces Mark Cowsill who retires at the end of this month after 18 years in the role.

Carl has been CEO for Frucor’s New Zealand business since he joined the company in 2000. Under Carl’s leadership the New Zealand business has changed significantly, doubling in size and substantially growing the number of employees. During this time Frucor has become a serious competitor in the New Zealand beverage market, evolving from a local juice company to an international total-beverage business. Frucor has consistently grown its NZ market share through product innovation, and as a result has achieved leadership positions in key market segments and channels.

In his role as NZ CEO Carl has led a number of significant strategic projects such as the acquisition of the Arano and Simply Squeezed juice businesses. He has overseen the successful expansion of Frucor’s manufacturing operations, increasing capacity to support new product innovation and to meet domestic and international demand.

Under Carl’s leadership employee engagement across Frucor NZ has climbed steadily and is consistently at levels where the business is recognised as ‘Best in Class’.

Carl has been actively involved in the New Zealand Juice and Beverage Association for a number of years, and held the role of President from 2004-2007. Prior to joining Frucor, Carl was General Manager for Carter Holt Harvey Distribution Group and Carters Building Supplies, and held senior executive roles in Carter Holt Harvey’s consumer products division.

Nobuhiro Torii, Frucor Chairman and President of Suntory Beverage & Food Limited welcomed Carl’s appointment. “After an extensive process it is very pleasing to appoint Frucor’s new Managing Director from within the business. Carl brings strong commercial acumen and a passion for
innovation and for our customers. I am confident his skills and experience are well matched for taking the business forward in its next chapter of growth,” he said.

Ends.

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