03 Feb 2011

After 18 years with Frucor, Managing Director Mark Cowsill has announced that he will be retiring at the end of May 2011. During his time Mark has been the guiding influence behind Frucor’s remarkable transition from a minor $50 million subsidiary of the NZ Apple and Pear Board, to a $500 million international total-beverage business.

This growth has been achieved through strong leadership and an entrepreneurial attitude. Under Mark’s guidance the business has innovated in order to diversify into new categories, such as the development and launch of products V and Mizone. Frucor has also expanded geographically into large markets such as Australia, the UK and Europe, and the business has made strategic acquisitions, such as the Pepsi brand in New Zealand, Napier-based fresh juice business Simply Squeezed, and the sales and distribution arm of Australian juice business Spring Valley in 2001.

Mark has led the business through several ownership changes, including Frucor’s public listing on the New Zealand and Australian stockmarkets in mid-2000, and purchase by leading Japanese food and beverage company Suntory in 2009.

Mark’s commitment and dedication to the Frucor, its values and its people, is reflected in the business as it is today -a highly innovative, successful organisation known for its strong culture and market leading brands. A process has begun to identify a new Managing Director for the business.

For further information please contact:
Bridget Beaurepaire
Communications Manager,
Frucor Beverages Ltd
Tel: 021 813 256, Email: .