increase font size
Outgoing chief executive Simon Limmer will remain involved with SFF in a strategic role in the future.
Silver Fern Farms chief executive Simon Limmer is leaving the meat company and moving into the wine sector.
Earlier this month, Limmer – previously the chief operating officer of kiwifruit company Zespri – announced that he’s standing down after five and a half years as boss of the meat processor and exporter. Last week it was revealed that Limmer will take up the chief executive role of Indevin Group, New Zealand’s largest wine company and owner of Villa Maria brand. He will take up his new role in early 2024.
SFF chair Rob Hewett says Limmer will stay in his role at SFF during the transition to a new chief executive and remain involved with the company in a strategic role in the future.
“We’re now entering into a formal process to find a replacement for Simon and I expect this will take until 2024,” Hewett added.
In a message to suppliers announcing his move, Limmer says it was time for new energy to take over the role.
“The business is in really good shape. We’ve built really good capability, have a clear direction of travel and produced some very good results in recent years,” he claimed.
“Notwithstanding the challenges we currently face. However, these are the economic realities we face and highlights just why our strategy is so important and the right one for us.”
Limmer added that he will stay involved with SFF where he ‘can add value’ and that there would be a long transition – into the new year – before a replacement was named.
Hewett described Limmer’s five and half years at the company as commendable.
“It’s a pretty short length of time when you consider how far the company has come.”
He also acknowledged the challenging times facing the company and farmers at the moment.
“What we are currently facing is tough and unprecedented in many ways, but the strategy we have adopted is validated by this,” Hewett told suppliers.
“What Simon and his team have done over the past five and a half years is ultimately going to stand Silver Fern Farms and our suppliers in good stead.”
He says the company has engaged international and local recruitment agencies in its search for a new chief executive.
“There is a good lot of New Zealanders employed offshore, as well as some really good talent internally.”
Hewett says wherever the new chief executive comes from, the process will take time and the company will be regularly updating suppliers on progress.
“I am expecting this will not be completed until early in the new year.”
New Zealand must continue to educate Chinese consumers about the unique qualities of its red meat products and how they differ from competitors, says Silver Fern Farms chief executive Dan Boulton.
The next phase of the Taste Pure Nature campaign has been launched in Shanghai, China.
OPINION: The Hound hears that tension was in the air at the recent Silver Fern Farms AGM, with the board reportedly dazed and confused at why their CEO would continue to hammer farmers to lower their emissions in perpetuity, without being able to state a dollar value for any of the touted premiums.
Despite Silver Fern Farms (SFF) posting a $21 million loss last season, chief executive Dan Boulton believes that better days are coming.
Variable weather conditions across the country are being blamed for the slow start to the meat processing season.
Managing director of Woolover Ltd, David Brown, has put a lot of effort into verifying what seems intuitive, that keeping newborn stock's core temperature stable pays dividends by helping them realise their full genetic potential.
Within the next 10 years, New Zealand agriculture will need to manage its largest-ever intergenerational transfer of wealth, conservatively valued at $150 billion in farming assets.
Boutique Waikato cheese producer Meyer Cheese is investing in a new $3.5 million facility, designed to boost capacity and enhance the company's sustainability credentials.
OPINION: The Government's decision to rule out changes to Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) that would cost every farmer thousands of dollars annually, is sensible.
Compensation assistance for farmers impacted by Mycoplama bovis is being wound up.
Selecting the reverse gear quicker than a lovestruck boyfriend who has met the in-laws for the first time, the Coalition Government has confirmed that the proposal to amend Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) charged against farm utes has been canned.
OPINION: Dust ups between rural media and PR types aren't unheard of but also aren't common, given part of the…
OPINION: The Hound hears from his canine pals in Southland that an individual's derogatory remarks on social media have left…
