17 Jun 2013

Turners and Growers say international focus is its priority

6:59 am on 17 June 2013

Turners & Growers says it will spend the next year working closely with its international operators and its German majority owner to expand its reach.

The fruit and vegetable producer and exporter says it will now work closely on a strategy of internationalising its operations following the appointment of a new chief executive.

Alastair Hulbert was the company's general manager of international markets and had been acting as chief executive with Turners & Growers chief financial officer, Harald Hamster-Egerer, after Geoff Hipkins left suddenly.

Turners, which is 73% owned by Germany's BayWa, reported an annual loss for the second time this year, due to further writedowns of its apple and kiwifruit orchards.

Turners & Growers deputy chairman Sir John Anderson says the international focus is the priority.