VION Food Group Appoints New CEO

18 Dec 2013 --- VION Food Group’s Supervisory Board will appoint Michiel Herkemij (49) as CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board. Mr Herkemij has extensive international experience in the food and beverage sector, and has led various companies through periods of transition.

Within his role as CEO of Douwe Egberts Master Blenders, he managed its move to an independent company following its divestment from Sara Lee. Prior to this, he was involved in the acquisition and integration of FEMSA’s beer division for Heineken and subsequently fulfilled the position of CEO in Mexico.

Before this, Mr Herkemij had worked in Nigeria as the CEO of Nigerian Breweries, an important Heineken subsidiary. He has also led operations in Asia, Africa and the Middle East for FrieslandCampina. Mr Herkemij will plot a new strategic course, continue to work on the new Food structure and the quality of VION operations and its products. He starts work on 15 January 2014.

VION is an internationally operating food company. The Dutch-owned company produces high-quality foodstuffs for humans and animals. In 2012, VION’s turnover amounted to € 9.7 billion. In early 2013, VION employed approx. 21,000 staff.

On 7 October 2013, it was announced that the VION Ingredients division was to be sold. VION is not a listed company and has a single, agricultural shareholder, the Zuidelijke Land- en Tuinbouworganisatie (ZLTO), an agricultural and horticultural association with some 16,500 members. VION Food produces and processes high-quality pork and beef products in the Netherlands and Germany. It supplies tailor-made products and innovative concepts to retail, industrial and foodservice clients in the Netherlands, across the wider EU, and to markets globally.