The move follows the acquisition of the Grampian Country Food Group in the UK in August last year and the change in the make-up of the Executive Board, which was announced in November.

VION’s new organisation and business model came into effect on 19 March, replacing the divisional structure which has been in place since July 2006.

Food company VION has two core activities: Food and Ingredients. In the new organisational structure both activities have been anchored at Executive Board level in order to guarantee the synergy between both activities.

Organising the two core activities at regional level, VION says will enable it to operate as close as possible to the markets of clients and suppliers.

The divisional structure, which had been used since July 2006, was no longer sufficiently aligned to the regional dimensions and the rapid developments on the various markets.

The new model with its two, regionally focused core activities is in line with the company’s strategy.

Central to VION’s strategy is customer intimacy. Operational excellence, product leadership and sustainability are the pillars that support the strategy. In line with its philosophy, the Executive Board’s new model gives the operational companies more space to operate efficiently and effectively given the current market dynamics.

VION has an annual turnover of € 9.6 billion and employs 35,500 staff worldwide.