KENYA – Tetra Pak, the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company, has appointed Jonathan Kinisu as the new Managing Director for its East African business unit, continuing with its strategy of appointing local leaders to manage its businesses in Africa.
Kinisu, 41, becomes the first Kenyan to attain the position of MD in the history of Tetra Pak. He takes over from Swedish national, Håkan Söderholm.
“My ambition is to reinforce Tetra Pak’s packaging solutions leadership in East Africa and support our customers unlock real value for their investments.
East Africa has vast opportunities that can firmly position the region as one of the leading food manufacturing hubs in the world for dairy, fruit juices and soya products as well as fruit pulp extraction and food processing,” said Kinisu on his appointment.
“Our customers and investors can rely on Tetra Pak’s industry knowledge to demonstrate these opportunities as we have done in over 160 countries around the world for the past 65 years.
Tetra Pak in East Africa is also committed to working closely with our customers on Sustainability to ensure that we are all doing our part to improve the world,” he added.
He said that he was excited to take over the reins at a time when the packaging industry is experiencing significant growth as consumers seek affordable, accessible and quality products.
He joined Tetra Pak East Africa in 2012 as Regional Manager responsible for Tanzania and Ethiopia and was appointed Sales Director in 2014, having worked previously in the oil industry in various capacities at Shell in Kenya and the US.
He is a Computational Genetics alumnus from Imperial College London and also holds a BSc. (Hons.) in Biochemistry with Biotechnology from Manchester University (UMIST).
Kinisu becomes the second high profile appointment by Tetra Pak in Africa, after the company appointed Oshiokamele Aruna as the MD for its Tetra Pak West Africa business unit in mid 2018, making him the first Nigerian to attain this position in the history of company.
The global food processing and packaging giant recently announced that its board had appointed Adolfo Orive as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective April 1, 2019.
Adolfo succeeded Dennis Jönsson who stepped down from the company after serving as President and CEO for 14 years.
Tetra Pak posted sales of US$13 billion in 2017 and is part of the Tetra Laval Group, which also consists of DeLaval and Sidel.
In November last year, Tetra Pak East Africa launched a long-life milk consumer campaign in Kenya to educate consumers on the benefits and safety of long life milk products.
