UK's MMG Citrus Ltd. Board Announces Executive Appointments

The board of MMG Citrus Ltd has pleasure in confirming two new senior appointments.

Firstly, we welcome Antonio Avalos who will assume the role of General Manager. Antonio has very strong director level experience within the food industry at Associated British Food and with Hero Group. He has spent his career working closely with multiple retailers both in the UK and internationally, and he is looking forward to growing the opportunities of MMG Citrus.

Fruit has been a considerable part of Antonio’s life; his family are citrus growers in Spain. This life as a grower in combination with his great food manufacturing and marketing experience is a winning formula for MMG Citrus. Full responsibility for the sales, profitability and operations of this exciting joint venture business will fall within Antonio’s control.

We are also pleased to announce that Paul Haynes is promoted to the role of Commercial Director at MMG Citrus. Highly respected and popular, Paul has more than 25 years’ experience at both MMG Citrus and Mack Multiples.

Speaking of his new role, Antonio said: “The UK retail market is a complex and challenging place to trade. We have to put our customers and their needs at the heart of our business if we want to succeed. I know that the team at MMG is strong and effective, with a wide network of superb grower partnerships around the world. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to take this business, with its distinguished heritage, and to lead the next chapter in its growth.” Antonio begins his work with MMG Citrus on 7th January 2014.

Formally constituted in May 2007, MMG Citrus Ltd is a vertically-integrated citrus business, backed by two joint venture partners. Primary focus is on bringing quality citrus fruit to the UK multiple retail market. Annual sales are in the region of £60m, with the company based at The Fresh Produce Centre in Paddock Wood, Kent.

Its parent companies are:

Fresca Group Ltd

UK-based, privately-owned fresh produce specialists. Fresca has a reach that extends into every multiple retailer in the UK, across a wide variety of products. Importing, ripening, packing and marketing are all core parts of the business.
There’s a focus on innovation and a reputation for embracing unusual business models to provide continually evolving opportunity.

E Martinavarro SA

Spain’s pre-eminent grower, packer and exporter of citrus fruit. Family-owned and with a heritage stretching back to 1946, the strong reputation of Martinavarro has been built on consistently great quality products and customer service.

With retail customers across Europe and with consistent investment in technology and innovation, Martinavarro is an acknowledged market leader in citrus production.

Source: Fresca Group Ltd