NEW ZEALAND – Richard Wyeth, the immediate former chief executive of Taupō-based milk processor Miraka, is the new CEO of Yili-owned Westland Dairy Company.
Wyeth comes to Westland dairy with over 13 years of experience in the dairy industry, including holding a role as global sales manager for dairy product manufacturer Open Country Dairy.
During his tenure, at Miraka, he was able to grow the organisation to over 140 employees, producing 240m UHT units and 35,000 tonnes of powdered milk per annum, with a turnover of more than US$250m.
Wyeth has also held commercial roles at Coca-Cola Amatil and DB Breweries in his career.
He replaces Toni Brendish, who stepped down from her position in August and replaced by Shiqing Jian in interim capacity.
Jian told the New Zealand Herald that Wyeth would assume his position as the company’s new CEO in February next year.
Jian will step down as interim CEO, but will continue to act as resident director of both Westland Dairy Company and Canterbury-based Oceania Limited for the Yili Group.
Commenting on the appointment, Jian told the New Zealand Heral: “We firmly believe demand for Westland products will continue to grow, not just in China, but around the world and we are looking forward to Richard playing an important role in our global growth.”
Westland Milk Products is the third largest independent dairy company in New Zealand and processes approximately three per cent of the country’s total milk production.
The company has a major processing factory is located in Hokitika on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.
The New Zealand-based Dairy was acquired last year by Hongkong Jingang Trade Holding, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yili, for NZD 588 million ($403 million).
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