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Frucor Beverages appoints new chief

Frucor Beverages, V, beverageFrucor Beverages has appointed Jonathan Moss as group CEO designate, replacing current group CEO, Carl Bergstrom, who will retire in April after 15 years with the Suntory-owned beverage company.

Moss will remain in his current role of CEO Frucor Australia until a replacement is found. Under Moss’ leadership Frucor Australia, a market leader with energy drink V holding the lead share of the Australian energy market, has grown consistently, with the business’s EBIT earnings doubling over the last 10 years.

The business has also successfully developed and launched new products such as sports drink, Maximus, and OVI Hydration, with both brands having a strong impact in the Australian market.

Bergstrom has led the Frucor Group since May 2011. Prior to this, Bergstrom was CEO of Frucor New Zealand, a position he held since joining the company in 2000.

In his 15 years with the business, Bergstrom has overseen the growth of Frucor from a local juice company to a more than $500 million international beverage business. He has also led  Frucor’s capital expansion programme, with support from Frucor’s owner, Japanese beverage and food company, Suntory, which acquired the local beverage maker in 2008.

Nobuhiro Torii, Frucor chairman and president of Suntory Beverage and Food Limited, recognised Bergstrom’s contribution to the business and welcomed Jonathan’s appointment.

“Carl has led the Frucor group of companies with strong commercial focus and discipline during a period where we’ve experienced challenging industry and economic conditions and unrivalled levels of competition. Carl is highly respected as a leader not only across Frucor, but also within Suntory. Frucor’s results speak for themselves and I thank Carl for his contribution to the business over the last 15 years,” Torii said.

“After an extensive process it is very pleasing to appoint Frucor’s next group CEO from within the business. Jonathan will bring strong, proven leadership, a commitment to Frucor’s people and our values, and an unwavering passion for innovation that will see Frucor through its next period of growth and expansion,” said  Torii.

In 2013, Frucor announced a $45 million five year innovation and technology investment programme, underpinned by a commitment to increase inhouse capacity, grow jobs and drive quality.

The first stage of this investment was the opening of the company’s semi-automated distribution centre and new high speed bottling line in 2013.

In 2014, Frucor opened a $6 million new research and development hub in Auckland, developing products for New Zealand, Australia and international markets.

In an effort to maintain Frucor’s momentum and ensure a smooth transition following the senior management changes, Suntory executive, Kuni Himeno, has been appointed to the newly created role of executive chairman.

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