John Rix takes over at Greenvale’s Vales Produce Growers from Tony Bambridge, who has been chairman since its inception
Greenvale potato grower group Vales Produce Growers (VPG) has appointed John Rix as its new chairman.
He takes over from Tony Bambridge, who has been chairman of VPG since its inception.
VPG exists as the formal supply base for Greenvale, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of fresh potatoes handling 500,000 tonnes of potatoes every year.
Greenvale provides the group with marketing options both internally and externally to a wider customer base, as well as providing technical support packages through a UK-wide agronomy team.
Bambridge was instrumental in developing the group from the previous Anglian Produce co-operative to its current structure, providing a more flexible framework for supply more suited to the current challenges in the supply chain and potato sector.
He has been noted in particular for influencing the processing steering group, Vales McCains and the Birds Eye supply group, and will remain on the board of VPG.
Rix has had a very long association with Greenvale, and says he is a dedicated supporter of the strong customer relationships that they have established. His ambition with regard to VPG is to try and invigorate a progressive relationship between the excellent grower membership, the Greenvale business and their customer profile.
“I am convinced there is much that can be achieved to develop trust, commitment and profitable activity in a more closely attuned vertical supply chain in what is a rapidly changing fresh produce business,” he added.
Rix is currently chairman of PG Rix (farms) Ltd., based near Colchester in Essex.
His potato production of 370 hectares supplies nine varieties on 100% committed contracts with Greenvale. The farm’s onion production of 380 hectares is wholly dedicated to the family-owned packing business Stourgarden.
Greenvale’s sales and trading director Doug Bell, said: “We are very happy to have a grower of John’s profile and quality in the chairman’s role, and I am sure this move will add further strength to the VPG group”.