Kees Kraijenoord, the current chief financial officer of Plukon Food Group, has been promoted to become the CEO of the company, effective April 1, 2023.
He will succeed Peter Poortinga, who in April 2022 informed the company’s supervisory board of his intent to step down. He served as the Plukon CEO for the past 22 years. Plukon, according to the WATTPoultry.com Top Poultry Companies survey, is the largest poultry producer in the Netherlands, the fourth largest in Europe and the 19th largest in the world.
Following a well-coordinated succession process and on the recommendation of the supervisory board, Plukon shareholders appointed Kraijenoord to fill the CEO position.
Both will use the coming period to ensure a good transfer of tasks.
“I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead this company. Plukon has various leading market positions,” Kraijenoord said in a press release. “Entrepreneurship is high among our people, we also want in the future, to be a high-performance organization and we have huge growth potential in Europe. Our success will also need to continue based on our concepts, innovations, sustainability initiatives and transformation. We will build on the robust foundation laid under Peter’s leadership to implement our strategy and continue to create value for all our stakeholders. In doing so, we aim to work with our clients and partners to deliver sustainably produced, reliable and affordable proteins to European consumers.’
Poortinga will become a member of the supervisory board upon his departure as CEO. Meanwhile, the search for a new CFO has begun.
Juergen Steinemann, chairman of Plukon’s supervisory board, issued the following statement concerning the personnel changes: “Peter can reflect with great pride on an extraordinary career in poultry spanning some 35 years. He has provided excellent leadership and has considerably expanded Plukon Food Group during his time as chief executive officer. He is leaving behind a robust and prominent European poultry company. We would like to thank Peter for his leadership, his commitment and his contribution to Plukon’s considerable success. He has created an entrepreneurial and highly ambitious culture within Plukon, which we will certainly continue in the future. We are delighted that he will be joining the supervisory board, where he can use his knowledge and experience to further contribute to Plukon’s continued European growth.
“Together with Peter, Kees Kraijenoord has played an important role in Plukon’s expansion since 2013, the last six years of which as group CFO. Kees is a strong leader and has all the qualities needed to lead Plukon successfully and profitably in its next growth phase. With his long track record at Plukon, his good view of people and clear translation of our strategy to the organization, he knows how to get the best out of those around him.”
Poortinga added: “It was a privilege and an honor to have had the opportunity to work for this great company for 35 years and to both expand and lead Plukon for the past 22 years. … Plukon is a fantastic company with a fantastic future and I’d like to congratulate Kees Kraijenoord wholeheartedly on his appointment. I’m looking forward to working on the transition of leadership to Kees in the coming six months.”
