New CEO for SealesWinslow

He succeeds Ross Hyland who will continue as a director of SealesWinslow and also lead growth projects to leverage the company's position as the only national provider of animal nutrition.

Smith is currently general manager, sales and marketing for Ballance Agri-Nutrients which holds a 51% shareholding in SealesWinslow. He has been with Ballance since 2000 and has a long track record in the pastoral sector.

Announcing the appointment, Neil Richardson, chairman of SealesWinslow, said Smith was selected after an extensive executive search.

"Graeme has a wealth of knowledge right across the whole agricultural industry which will be invaluable," Richardson says.

"He is also well connected with merchant networks and industry groups throughout the country. He originally hails from Mosgiel in the Deep South, a key region for SealesWinslow with ever growing demand and expectations from farmers.

"He also joins us at a pivotal time in the business, with more and more farmers recognising the strategic value of animal nutrients to their operations.

"Farmers are increasingly focused on their animals' complete nutrient needs, from pasture to supplements, rather than simply being reactive with supplementary feeding as a decision or consequence when climate's working against them. We are very well positioned to meet these needs."

Smith says he is looking forward to taking up his new role.

"We have a very positive rural economy, driven by farmers who get out of bed every morning thinking about how to increase productivity and profitability.

"Having spent most of my professional career working alongside them, I see this new role as a great opportunity to build SealesWinslow into the best nationwide nutrition company in New Zealand."

Richardson says the industry is highly competitive and volatile, but also offered good growth opportunities, with his company averaging growth rates of 25-30% in recent years, with the exception of the global financial crisis in 2008.

Smith joined Ballance in 2000 and has been responsible for overseeing Ballance's sales managers, technical sales representatives and the company's marketing and commercial business teams. Previously he worked for electric fence manufacturer Gallagher for 12 years, including five years as national sales manager.

Smith holds a post-graduate diploma in management studies from Waikato University and completed the senior executive programme at the London Business School.