Comvita restructures ahead of expansion
Comvita, the listed honey products company, has embarked on a restructuring as it prepares to expand.
BUSINESSDESK: Comvita, the listed honey products company, has embarked on a restructuring as it prepares to expand.
“The new structure will ensure Comvita makes the most of the abundant prospects we see around the globe,” chief executive Brett Hewlett said.
The restructuring involves expanding some roles, creating a new position of general manager to oversee apiary development and splitting the Asian business unit in two.
It has also created a new Pacific business unit to cover New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the US.
“Product sourcing and delivery to market form an integral part of the overall Comvita brand offering,” Hewlett said.
“It is important, therefore, that we maintain a close link between the supply end and demand end of our business via a single senior manager.”
John Burke, previously general manager of the company formed to fight the kiwifruit attacking bacterial disease Psa-V, Kiwifruit Vine Health, has been appointed to the apiary development position.
Alex Hutton, who manages the Australian market, will manage the new Pacific unit.
“Meanwhile, Asia has reached a level of complexity and scale where it is now ready for us to split into two regions: North East Asia, incorporating Japan and Korea, and greater China and South East Asia,” Hewlett said.
Chief supply chain officer Nevon Amos will become North East Asia general manager, while the current Asia general manager will become general manager of Greater China and South East Asia.
The company is expanding the role of chief marketing officer Scott Coulter to chief operating officer, with responsibility for managing Comvita's global supply chain, distribution, marketing and product development.
The company is also creating a new research and development team which will be headed by chief technology officer Ralf Schlothauer.
Comvita shares are unchanged at $2.60, up from $1.46 this time last year but down from November's $3 high.
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Comvita restructures ahead of expansion
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