Why Fonterra accepted defeat in the dairy aisle
OPINION: Fonterra's sale of its consumer dairy business to Lactalis is a clear sign of the co-operative’s failure to compete in the branded consumer market.
The co-op confirmed that Hurrell was in Europe and the Middle East on a two-week visit to meet customers and staff.
A Fonterra spokesperson says it's been nearly two years since Hurrell has been able to get out and see offshore customers and employees.
"With 95% of our product exported and half our employees outside NZ, it's important he gets to see some of them face to face."
The trip included a visit to Fonterra's Amsterdam office where it's chief executive officer for Europe, Middle East and Africa Kelvin Wickham is based.
On October 29 Hurrell was in Brussels to meet with European Dairy Association president Giuseppe Ambrosi.
The EDA says the meeting discussed the Dairy Product Environmental Footprint, a project measuring the emission footprint of dairy products.
Fonterra is one of the six dairy companies involved in the project.
Fonterra has confirmed that Hurrell will isolate at home upon his return.
