• Supply Chain at the core of the organization, with broad scope in activities to bring quality
• Operations to become separate function, with focus on delivery performance
• Continued commitment to offer quality innovations to the market                            

Enkhuizen, Netherlands, July 15, 2020 – Today, Syngenta Flowers announces the appointment of Leendert Arkenbout as Head of Operations EAME for young plants and cuttings effective September 1. This announcement follows the recent appointment of Yigremachew Worku, who will become Head of Production EAME, effective August 1. With these appointments, the supply chain is now split into two functions – Production and Operations – which will allow the teams to focus better on quality and delivery improvements to better serve our customers.

Both Yigremachew and Leendert bring wealths of experience and knowledge into their new roles. Yigremachew is currently site manager at Ethiopia Cuttings, thus giving him in-depth experience with the products and farms. Leendert was closely involved with business processes and investment decisions in his role as Head of Finance. In his new role, he will focus on optimizing the end-to-end supply flows in Syngenta Flowers operations.

Mark Schermer, Head of Flowers EAME, is proud of the new team and direction for supply chain.

“Supply chain is at the core of the organisation, with a broad scope in activities,” says Mark. “The split of Supply chain into two areas will help the team to focus on their core tasks: Bringing quality, improving efficiency and making realistic choices in supply. The European leadership team is now complete with a new and enthusiastic team.”

Leendert is excited about the developments for Syngenta and thankful for the opportunity to play a part in it.

“I strive to make a difference in all that I do, and I’m committed to deliver on our promise towards our customers,” says Leendert. “There is a strong Operations team in place with highly capable people. Together we will optimize our end-to-end supply flows, increase efficiency and reduce complexity in order to ensure a reliable supply of best in class products towards our customers.”

Yigremachew sees the split as key to the future for Syngenta and proud to expand his role within the organization.

“[The split] in our supply chain will result in even more focus on quality; further building our sites to deliver quality is very important,” says Yigremachew. “My role will be to bridge the teams in Africa and De Lier to make them work even stronger as one supply team.

“I am really excited personally, too. It’s a huge change, and I will have more responsibility. It shows how Syngenta is committed to developing people.”