On Friday 19 October McCain signed the take-over agreement for the potato division of Pinguin Lutosa. "It all went very well," Herwig Dejonghe, COO of the group explains. "McCain showed an interest and tempted us to take this decision. We are satisfied with that and for us it is positive, because now we can concentrate on our core business, the processing of fruit and vegetables in deep freeze (Pinguin) and tinned goods (Scana Noliko). The name Pinguin Lutosa Food Group will still change in the near future."
"The chips are a world on their own," he continues. "Looking back from the take-over in 2007 we notice that the potato division did very well and we are satisfied with
the cooperation with Lutosa. These were five fruitful years. Via the chips we were able to make our deep freeze vegetables known in 104 countries. This is exceptional! Pinguin has become better as a result and also for Lutosa it has been profitable. The interest of McCain was very attractive for us. It became clear very quickly that Lutosa would do very well with this world player."
"We are confident about the future," the COO mentions. "After the sale we now have an extra strong financial basis. We have also chosen to appoint a full-time CEO. On 1 November Marleen Vaesen will become the new CEO of PinguinLutaosa.
Vaesen follows Hein Deprez, who as chairman of the Strategic Committee will be involved in the strategy of the company. Due to Marleen's experience she will assist us as a company, in the communication with the consumers. We will very clearly be involved in generic promotion of processed fruit and vegetables in the direction of the consumer. In all aspects including financial and in the area of management we are ready for the future. The sale of Lutosa was the catalyst for the development of our company and our sector!"
Vaesen follows Hein Deprez, who as chairman of the Strategic Committee will be involved in the strategy of the company. Due to Marleen's experience she will assist us as a company, in the communication with the consumers. We will very clearly be involved in generic promotion of processed fruit and vegetables in the direction of the consumer. In all aspects including financial and in the area of management we are ready for the future. The sale of Lutosa was the catalyst for the development of our company and our sector!"