Merger, Leadership Changes Announced At Simplot

Changes are coming to the JR Simplot Company.  The Boise-based company announced Monday it will merge a pair of divisions into one, along with making leadership changes as well.  Company officials announced it would merge Simplot Australia with the Simplot Food Group forming a new group: Simplot Global Foods.  The business will be headed by Graham Dugdale, who currently leads the Australia division. Mark McKellar, who led the Boise-based food division, is retiring later this year.

“With change comes opportunity, and we saw a unique opportunity to capitalize on a global structure that leverages the knowledge of our employees, the capabilities we have as an organization and, in particular, better aligns our global food manufacturing footprint,” Simplot CEO Garrett Lofto said.

Simplot has continued to grow its food division, with expansions into Argentina, China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, and Southeast Asia.

In the US, Simplot traditionally marketed its frozen foods to restaurants, cafeterias, and other food service locations but not to the general public.  Earlier this year, the company announced it would move into the consumer foods space with a deal to supply and manufacture Ore-Ida products like Tater Tots, fries, and more.

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