September 30, 2014

Zambeef bosses renew partnership

Zambeef Products, one of Zambia's most enduring and successful business partnerships, will be headed jointly once again by its founders.

Carl Irwin will join Francis Grogan in becoming joint chief executive officer (CEO) of theagribusiness giant with immediate effect, according to an announcement releasedtoday to the London and Lusaka Stock Exchanges.

"We look forward to working together to continue driving the business forwardover the coming years," said the two directors.

Mr. Grogan will continue to be responsible for the operational aspects of thebusiness, while Mr. Irwin will oversee the finance and administration aspects of thegroup.

The two were joint managing directors of the company from its inception 20 years agountil December 2008, when Mr. Irwin moved to the position of Director of Strategy andDevelopment.

"I am confident that Mr. Irwin will further strengthen our senior managementteam and together with Mr. Grogan will help drive the group to new heights in thecoming years," said Zambeef chairman Dr. Jacob Mwanza.

Zambeef, the largest integrated agribusinesses in Zambia, is principally involved in the production, processing, distribution andretailing of beef, chicken, pork, milk, dairy products, eggs, edible oils, stockfeed and flour.

The group also has large row cropping operations (principally corn, soy and wheat), with approximately 8,350 hectares of row crops underirrigation and 17,000 hectares of rain-fed/dry-land crops available for plantingeach year.

It is also in the process of rolling out its West Africa expansionin Nigeria and Ghana, as well as developing a palm project in Zambia.

It slaughters more than 80,000 beef cattle and 6 million chickens, and processes 8million litres of milk per year. The company has 122 retail outlets throughout thecountry, along with three wholesale depots.