Max Koeune, McCain Foods
Max Koeune has been named president and c.e.o. of McCain Foods, effective Nov. 1.
 

TORONTO — The board of directors of McCain Foods Ltd. has approved the appointment of Max Koeune to the role of president and chief executive officer, effective Nov. 1. Mr. Koeune will succeed Dirk Van de Put, who is leaving McCain after seven years to become c.e.o. of Mondelez International. Mr. Koeune will assume the role of c.e.o.-designate with immediate effect, and then the role of president and c.e.o. in November 2017.

Mr. Koeune joined McCain Foods as chief financial officer in 2012, and over the past five years he has played a key role in the development and delivery of a successful global growth and transformation strategy, organically and through acquisitions, the company said. Prior to joining McCain, he spent many years at Groupe Danone, including as head of corporate development, finance vice-president for the Americas Beverages Division and Americas Business Development, and finance director.

 

“I am honored to be selected to lead this great company,” Mr. Koeune said. “McCain Foods’ performance has gone from strength to strength in recent years. I am grateful to Dirk for all he has done and proud to have worked with him and the senior leadership team to set such a strong purpose, vision and strategy for our business. I am dedicated to continuing this transformational journey and driving for the results that I know McCain can realize.”

Allison McCain, chairman of McCain Foods, thanked Mr. Van de Put for his leadership and dedication to McCain.

Allison McCain, McCain Foods
Allison McCain, chairman of McCain Foods

“Dirk has proven himself to be a visionary leader over the past seven years — leading our journey to create the ‘new McCain’ and return this business to sustained profitable growth,” he said. “As we celebrate our third consecutive record year, we all agree that it’s been a very successful journey, and one that I know will be continued by his successor.”

McCain Foods is the world’s largest manufacturer of frozen potato products, employing approximately 20,000 people and operating 51 production facilities on six continents. A privately-owned company based in Canada, McCain generates annual sales in excess of $9 billion.