PrimePort Timaru announces new Chief Executive

PrimePort Timaru announces new Chief Executive

PrimePort’s new Chief Executive is Mr Phil Melhopt.

Mr Melhopt, who is currently Chief Executive of the Central Otago District Council, begins his new role in December.

He is a previous Chief Executive of Timberlands West Coast and has held senior roles with DB Group and in the forestry industry.

Chairman Roger Gower says Mr Melhopt’s experience in building businesses and meeting sales and marketing challenges will add strength to PrimePort Timaru as it gears up for significant growth.

“Phil is joining the company at an exciting time with our recent alliance with Port of Tauranga, the establishment of Holcim’s South Island hub and trade growing strongly across the board,” says Mr Gower. “PrimePort is investing heavily in growth, starting with building a new multipurpose wharf and cement distribution facility for Holcim.”

Mr Melhopt says he is thrilled to be returning with his family to his home town of Timaru.

“When I was growing up in Timaru, the port was an important part of the City and District and that has not changed. In fact, its importance to the economic growth of the district and the wider South Island economy has increased,” says Mr Melhopt.

“I’m really looking forward to helping make PrimePort a significant player in the national port infrastructure and for the port to become a catalyst for increased investment in the region.”

Current Chief Executive Jeremy Boys retires at the company’s Annual Meeting in September after 13 years with PrimePort. After a short break, Mr Boys will take up a position as PrimePort’s representative in the Holcim construction project.

Port of Tauranga’s recently retired Commercial Manager, Graeme Marshall, will act as Chief Executive until Mr Melhopt takes up his new role.

ends

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