Changes at the top in Cargill and Novozymes

21-Dec-2017 - Last updated on 21-Dec-2017 at 11:32 GMT

Cargill has named Tom Taylor as managing director of its US premix organization – its Provimi brand.

Previously, he led the company’s US dairy business and was responsible for Cargill Animal Nutrition’s integration of the recently completed acquisition of Southern States Cooperative.

Provimi said its US business has made moves recently in an effort to extend its depth in the growing market for non-medicated additives and supplements, as well as premix and other specialty feeds.

Last month saw it hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its US$50m Lewisburg West facility, which, when online in early 2019, will be one of the first completely non-medicated animal nutrition premix plants in the US. November also saw the Provimi team launch a sow research partnership at a farm in Iowa that will focus on piglet livability and provide on-farm training to technical and commercial staff.

New CFO at Novozymes

Meanwhile, Danish enzyme and probiotic producer, Novozymes, yesterday announced the appointment of Prisca Havranek-Kosicek as its new chief financial officer (CFO). She will begin her role there in February next year.

Her predecessor, Benny Loft, stepped down as CFO of Novozymes in June this year.

Up until November 2017, Havranek-Kosicek served as CFO and member of the executive board of the Kuoni Group, a service provider to the global travel industry. She has also held positions at DSM, including group treasurer and CFO for that Dutch group’s pharmaceutical division.

In October, Novozymes reported a solid first nine months with strong growth in Q3, saying its feed and agriculture business had improved.

Peder Holk Nielsen, CEO of Novozymes, said then: “We grew revenue by 8% organically in the third quarter and by a satisfying 4% in the first nine months. This was better than expected. The EBIT margin was solid, as was free cash flow. Although there is still some uncertainty regarding the fourth quarter, especially within agriculture-related industries, we are adjusting the full-year outlook. With stronger innovation and a well-diversified business showing good, solid momentum, we are positive looking ahead.”