Chapman will manage production across Weetabix Food Company’s sites, ensuring the business continues to manufacture to its high-quality standards to retailers & consumers. Part of his role will be to oversee the Corby factory, which recently underwent a £16m renovation.
The investment forms a key part of Weetabix Food Company’s sustainability strategy and efforts to maintain resource efficiency. It has already halved the amount of energy consumed on site. He replaces Dave McBeain, who held the role in an interim capacity and who now returns to his home role as senior vice president of business change and organisation effectiveness.
Chapman has an impressive track record in some of the UK’s leading food and drink companies. Before assuming his last role at Kerry, he was also operations’ director for the business. He has several years’ experience working for Kraft Foods, mainly in the coffee category and as manufacturing director for Cadbury’s UK & Ireland operations.
Sustainability
Chapman said one of his priorities would be to develop Weetabix's existing sustainability initiatives. "For example, we’re on track to meet our goal of a 20% reduction in water use compared to 2015 by the end of the year and at present we are completing a carbon footprint benchmark study to work towards carbon reduction.
"I’ll also be working on driving out waste in all its forms throughout our business as well as continuing to deliver zero waste to landfill.”
Weetabix, which makes Weetabix, Weetabix Minis, Alpen, Weetabix On The Go Breakfast Drink, Ready Brek, Weetos and Alpen bars, has also announced Steve Lynn as its new head of engineering. He brings a wide range of engineering and production experience from numerous roles in Dow Chemical and British Sugar, including factory manager.
Lynn will focus on improving the company’s delivery and execution of engineering support and capital delivery, while continuing to build on continued improvement and growth in capabilities.
Sally Abbott, Weetabix managing director UK and Ireland, said: “Both of these key appointments reinforce our continued commitment to our world-class manufacturing capabilities. We’re confident that we have the facilities and talent to keep delighting our consumers and retailers with our well-loved brands and products.”
