Westland boss to step down

Westland chairman Matt O'Regan say Quin has decided that after seven years in the role it is an appropriate time for him to seek a new challenge and for the cooperative to appoint a new leader.

O'Regan says Quin has played a critical leading role in developing and implementing the Hokitika-based company's strategy to move into more profitable added-value products – such as infant formula and UHT milk – and so reduce the cooperative's reliance on the highly volatile bulk dairy commodities market.

"With our new Dryer Seven at Hokitika now operating, which was built specifically to produce high value nutritional products, and the new UHT plant in Rolleston about to be officially opened – having received regulatory approval and with commercial orders in production – the key steps in this phase of our value-added strategy are in place," O'Regan says. "So we support Rod in his decision that now is an appropriate time for him to move on."

O'Regan says the search for a new CEO would begin immediately and Quin has been asked to remain in the role until his replacement has been found.
"This is genuinely my decision," Quin says. "It's simply time to go and let someone else bring their energy and style to the business.

"It has been a real privilege to lead Westland since April 2009 through to its current state. While the markets are currently over-supplied and returns are low, I have every confidence the cycle will turn and Westland will, as a result of the strategic measures we have put in place, be a stronger company well into the future."