Top Wattie’s Man Appointed to New Regional Role

Top Wattie’s Man Appointed to New Regional Role With Heinz

Heinz Wattie’s Managing Director Nigel Comer has been appointed Regional CEO Pacific, for HJ Heinz, with responsibility for New Zealand, Japan, Korea and Papua New Guinea. He will continue to be based in Auckland.

Mr Comer is a 30-year veteran of the Wattie’s businesses, and has previously held senior management positions in former divisions of the company, including J. Wattie Foods (canned recipe products) and Best Friend Pet Foods. He has held the senior sales and marking role for the business in New Zealand and Australia, playing a leading role in developing Heinz Wattie’s exports and consolidating manufacturing capabilities from across the region into the Company’s Hawke’s Bay plants.

Mr Comer became Managing Director of Heinz Wattie’s eight years ago, and has overseen a remarkable period of sustained growth and development right across the business. Aside from the growth in Wattie’s branded products, driven by innovation, 56% of the Company’s total production is now exported, generating significant export earnings for New Zealand. This is counter to the trend in the New Zealand food industry where 75% of the products with which Wattie’s competes are now imported. Each year the company also processes 130,000 of locally growing fruit and vegetables.

In announcing Mr Comer’s expanded role, the Heinz Executive President for Asia Pacific Chris Warmoth said: “Nigel has an established record and reputation within Heinz internationally for building and maintaining business growth based on brand, product innovation and customer service. Through his leadership, he will contribute significantly to the growth and success of our businesses in Japan, Korea and Papua New Guinea.”

Mr Comer said he was looking forward to contributing more broadly across the Asia Pacific region.

“I am delighted with the opportunity to take on a wider regional role with HJ Heinz, while continuing with the Wattie’s business which has been my passion for so much of my career. I’m honoured to be with a company with such a rich heritage, now celebrating its 75th Anniversary, and a strong future”.

ENDS

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