Dairy industry looks forward to working with Fonterra's new CEO

Federated Farmers wishes new Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings the best of luck and looks forward to looks forward to building on the already strong working relationship between the cooperative and the Federation.

“Theo Spierings, who took over the reins of the cooperative from outgoing CEO Andrew Ferrier today, brings a wealth of knowledge with him to Fonterra and the New Zealand dairy industry,” Federated Farmers Dairy vice-chairperson Andrew Hoggard says.

“Having worked first with Dutch company Friesland, rising through the ranks from trainee manager to acting president at the time of its super-merger to become RoyalFrieslandCampina, means he is very savvy, not just on the global dairy market, but also about the advantages of dairy cooperatives.

“With a number of issues facing Fonterra’s farmers at the moment, not least the misunderstood Trading Amongst Farmers scheme, this experience will be called into use right from today. Overall, Fonterra is in a very strong position financially. It would be a shame if this powerhouse of the New Zealand economy was to stall at such a stumbling block.

“However, if Mr Spierings listens to New Zealand’s farmers and takes their concerns on board, this can be resolved. Farmers look forward to meeting Mr Spierings in the near future, as does the Federation.

“We hope yesterday was fruitful for him and the first day of a long association with dairy in New Zealand,” Mr Hoggard concluded.