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Ausnutria appoints Westland manager as CEO
Ausnutria Netherlands has appointed Richard Hickson as its new CEO. That happened on November 1. The New Zealander went to work last week. He previously worked for majority shareholder Yili in his native country.
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Over the past ten years, Hickson has worked as general manager of Ocean Dairy and subsequently as COO of Westland Milk Products (both part of Yili). Before that he worked at Fonterra.
Hickson has extensive experience in strategic leadership, lean manufacturing and process engineering management, Ausnutria reports. These are qualities that can be useful at Ausnutria. The company has started a reorganization round, but is not finished yet. The company has achieved disappointing results, especially in the Chinese market.
Hickson said: “I am fully aware that the international infant formula market is now facing many challenges, but am confident that as an organization we will differentiate and adapt to meet these challenges. I look forward to working with colleagues within Ausnutria to establish a clear strategy, direction and execution."
Hickson succeeds Jeroen Kiers, who left Ausnutria in July this year. Former CEO Bart van der Meer has replaced him in the intervening period.