Vancouver, B.C. – Organto Foods Inc. (TSX-V: OGO, OTC: OGOFF) (“Organto”), a leading vertically integrated provider of value-added branded organic vegetables, today announced a number of key leadership changes, adding seasoned food industry executives and depth to both its Board of Directors and Management team.
Effective May 1, 2017, Arnoud Maas has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Peter Gianulis who will transition into the role of Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and continue as a Director of the Board. In addition, Steve Bromley has been appointed as Strategic Advisor to the CEO and Board of Directors, focused on strategic development, business execution, risk management and governance matters. The Board of Directors intends to nominate Mr. Maas and Mr. Bromley to Organto’s Board of Directors at the upcoming AGM planned for July or August 2017.
Peter Gianulis, Co-Founder, commented: “Over two years ago we embarked on building an integrated year-round value-added branded organic vegetable business to serve growing consumer demand for healthy and fresh food products. We have made great progress and as we enter the critical commercialization phase of our history, we’re thrilled to have Arnoud assume the CEO role, given his vast operational and commercial experience. I look forward to working with Arnoud and continuing to be a key part of the Organto team as we pursue our vision of being a leading vertically integrated organic value-added vegetable brand.“
Robert Giustra, Chairman, commented: “Mr. Maas and Mr. Bromley, both sophisticated food industry veterans, are vital additions to the Organto team. These appointments, which along with the recent addition of seasoned food operator Marcus Meurs as President & COO, are giant leaps forward in the furtherance of our aim of transitioning Organto’s executive leadership and Board, to exceptionally experienced and dynamic food related backgrounds.” Mr. Giustra further stated: “The vision of Co-Founder Peter Gianulis to create an integrated organic food company that can provide year-round produce supply on a global scale has been largely realized and we are now entering the next phase of our history, as we commercialize the efforts of the last few years. With key parts of the platform now in place, the recent management changes are timely by design, to shift the executive focus to execution of the business model, and sales growth in Europe and the United States.”
Mr. Maas has a long history in the consumer goods sector, particularly in the European and Asian food divisions of the former Sara Lee Corporation, which had operations in more than 40 countries and sold its product in over 180 nations worldwide. In the last three years, he has worked closely with the CEO and Board of Vroegop, a leading vertically integrated organic food company based in the Netherlands, where he assisted in strategically opening new distribution channels and market opportunities. Early in his career, Mr. Maas was a partner at Accenture, Kurt Salmon, as well as Capgemini Consulting, specializing in the consumer goods sector. He later held senior executive positons in retail, including as CEO of a leading chain of bookstores, and ultimately in the food sector, where he gained essential multi-jurisdictional management experience and extensive industry contacts. Mr. Maas holds a business degree from Sheffield University in the UK and a Masters in Economics from Keio University in Tokyo.
Mr. Bromley brings over 30 years of food industry experience to Organto, having served as CEO and a Director of SunOpta Inc. from 2007-2015. SunOpta is a global leader in non-GMO, organic and specialty foods with revenues in excess of $1 billion, substantial manufacturing and integrated supply operations, and a diverse global customer base. Mr. Bromley joined SunOpta in 2001 as CFO and served in that role until 2004 when he was appointed President and COO, through to his appointment as CEO. Prior to joining SunOpta, Mr. Bromley spent 15 years in the dairy and meat industries and four years in public accounting. Mr. Bromley is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified General Accountant.
About Organto
Organto Foods Inc. is a leading vertically integrated provider of value added fresh-cut, branded organic produce serving a growing socially responsible and health conscious consumer around the globe. Organto employs a business model that is integrated from the “table to the field”. Driven by consumer demand for healthy and organic food products, it operates an integrated business model with extensive logistical, processing and growing capabilities, providing complete traceability from the table back to the field. Operations are currently located in Guatemala, Argentina, the Netherlands and the USA, with plans to continue to expand year-round supply capabilities. Organto’s business model is rooted in its commitment to sustainable business practices focused on environmental responsibility and a commitment to the communities where it operates, its people and its shareholders.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,
Robert Giustra
Chairman of the Board
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For more information contact:
Investor Relations
604-634-0970
1-888-818-1364
This release may include certain forward-looking information and statements, as defined by law including without limitation Canadian securities laws and the “safe harbor” provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“forward-looking statements”). In particular, and without limitation this news release contains forward-looking statements respecting proposed nominees for the Organto Board of Directors; the period in which Organto’s upcoming annual meeting of shareholders is expected to be held; management’s future plans to expand and develop the business; future prospects for Organto generally; management’s beliefs, assumptions and expectations; and general business and economic conditions. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions that may prove to be incorrect, including without limitation assumptions about the following: cost increases; dependence on suppliers, partners and contractual counter-parties; changes in the business or prospects of Organto; unforeseen circumstances; risks associated with the organic produce business generally, including inclement weather, unfavourable growing conditions, low crop yields, variations in crop quality, spoilage and similar risks; transportation costs and risks; general business and economic conditions; and ongoing relations with distributors, customers, employees, consultants, partners and joint venturers. The foregoing list is not exhaustive and we undertake no obligation to update any of the foregoing except as required by law.