Apetit Group makes changes to the Finnish organisation and management of its Food Business

The Apetit Group is changing the Finnish organisation of its Food Business and reassigning responsibilities within the segment. The purpose of these changes is to promote the implementation of strategy and clarify performance responsibilities inside the organisation.

Three product groups with performance responsibility and a corporate planning, development and quality function will be set up under Apetit’s Food Business in Finland. The product groups are frozen products, fish products and fresh products. A commercial function, already set up, will be in charge of the sales and marketing operations of these groups. In addition, responsibility for procurement and logistics for the business area as a whole will be assigned to the heads of the product groups.

Antti Kerttula (b. 1956), QBA, has been appointed head of frozen products and Managing Director of Apetit Ruoka Oy.  In addition to being responsible for the product group, Kerttula will be in charge of the Food Business’s procurement operations. Previously, Kerttula was the Managing Director of Caternet Finland Oy, which is part of the Apetit Group.

Veijo Meriläinen (b. 1952), M.Sc. (Agric.), eMBA, the CEO of Apetit Plc and the Managing Director of Apetit Kala Oy, has been appointed head of fish products.

Timo Kärnä (b. 1963), M.Sc. (Econ), has been appointed head of fresh products and Managing Director of Caternet Finland Oy.  In addition to product group responsibility, Kärnä will be in charge of the logistics operations of the Food Business. Kärnä has a solid background in food from Valio Ltd and in logistics, order/delivery chains and sales management from HK Ruokatalo Oy.

Vesa Moisio (b.1965), M.Sc. (Econ) has been appointed in charge of corporate planning, development and quality. Moisio will transfer from the positions of Managing Director of Apetit Ruoka Oy and director responsible for the order/delivery chain of the Food Business.

Esko Lantto (b.1966), M.Sc. (Food Science) will continue as Commercial Director in charge of commercial operations.

The composition of the Apetit Group’s corporate management has also been confirmed. The members of corporate management are Veijo Meriläinen, CEO of Apetit Plc and Director of the Food Business,  Kaija Viljanen (b. 1952), Director of the Grains and Oilseeds Business, Managing Director of Avena Nordic Grain Oy and of Mildola Oy, Eero Kinnunen  (b. 1970) CFO, Asmo Ritala (b. 1958), Corporate Counsel, and Johanna Heikkilä (b. 1962), HR Director.

These changes will take effect on 18 August 2014. They will not affect the segment or reporting structure of the Apetit Group. The Apetit Group’s business areas and reporting segments are the Food Business, the Grains and Oilseeds Business and Other Operations.

Apetit Plc

Veijo Meriläinen
CEO

FURTHER INFORMATION

Veijo Meriläinen, CEO, tel. +358 10 402 00

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