Cobb leaders take on new roles to prepare for company’s continued growth
USA - To better prepare for the company’s continued growth, Cobb-Vantress announced new roles for several key executives around the world last week.
7 February 2019
3 minute read
By: Three leaders, who together have more than 46 years of combined experience at Cobb, will take on new responsibilities to position the company to better meet growing global demand for Cobb products.
- Roy Mutimer has assumed the newly created role of vice president of operations, overseeing global lab operations, animal welfare and facility management. Mutimer previously served as vice president of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) as well as Asia-Pacific (APAC), and has worked in a variety of international roles at Cobb for the last 24 years. He will continue to be based in Siloam Springs.
- Pelayo Casanovas was promoted to vice president of EMEA and APAC. A valuable part of the Cobb family for nearly 20 years, Casanovas previously worked as the APAC general manager where he played a key role in the region’s growth, establishing operations in China, New Zealand and the Philippines in the last five years. He will be based at Cobb headquarters in Northwest Arkansas.
- Fred Kao was promoted from director of operations for APAC to general manager of the region. He will report to Casanovas and continue to be based in Shanghai. Kao joined Cobb in 2017 with more than 18 years of experience in the poultry industry. For two years he’s been involved in establishing and managing operations in China and New Zealand.
“We’ve positioned our leaders to best respond to operational and market needs across our global business,” said Joel Sappenfield, president of Cobb. “These changes help us to better meet the expectations of our valued customers while also planning for increasing product demand around the world.”
The announcement came the same week the company held a grand opening for its newest facility in New Zealand. This facility will soon supply Cobb genetics to markets like China, Indonesia, Philippines and Thailand, helping to better meet the growing demand for chicken in Asia.
Cobb was recognised as Asia’s breed of choice in 2017 and 2018. Now considered the world’s largest poultry market, Asia-Pacific is home to nearly 400 Cobb team members.
Ryan Johnson
Ryan worked in conservation from 2008 to 2017, during which time he operated a rainbow trout hatchery and helped to maintain public and protected green spaces in Canada for the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. As editor of The Poultry Site, he now writes about challenges and opportunities in agriculture across the globe.
