ASURE New Zealand appoints CEO

7 August 2006

1. ASURE New Zealand appoints CEO

ASURE New Zealand Ltd has announced the appointment of Kelvan Smith as Chief Executive following a comprehensive recruitment process.

Kelvan has been ASURE’s Acting Chief Executive since May 2006. Prior to that, he was ASURE’s National Operations Manager for the Independents/Abattoir sector since 2000. He holds an MBA with distinction from Massey University, was a meat inspector for 16 years, and has held various senior management positions in the public sector.

ASURE’s Chair Richard Janes commented that Kelvan’s business background and first hand knowledge of ASURE’s well established compliance processes and systems will ensure that the current high levels of service for ASURE’s customers are maintained.

2. Background on ASURE New Zealand

ASURE New Zealand Limited is a State Owned Enterprise formed in 1998 from MAF Quality Management. ASURE is a national organisation, based in Christchurch, and plays a key role in maintaining New Zealand’s international reputation for producing high quality, safe food – in particular, the country’s $6 billion meat and meat products export market.

ASURE has developed a core competency in process control. This allows ASURE to assist its clients to establish, maintain and improve robust processes to ensure the delivery of food that is safe.

ASURE’s primary business activities are the provision of meat inspection, Biosecurity and Animal Health Board services to the New Zealand agricultural sector. ASURE is currently the sole provider of mandatory ante and post mortem meat inspection services to New Zealand’s meat processing companies at more than 80 sites. These activities must meet the requirements of complex international regulations and the Animal Products Act 1999.

ASURE employs approximately 960 staff throughout New Zealand. The majority are employed as meat inspectors at more than 80 sites. ASURE also employs approximately 70 staff as TB testers and movement control officers to undertake AHB services.

ENDS

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