Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.-headquartered integrated food and beverage technology company JBT Marel has announced key organizational changes intended to strengthen its Fish Division.
Diego Lages, who formerly held the position of global sales director, has been named director of service for fish while Jón Birgir Gunnarsson has been named director of sales for fish.
Lages said that he was excited about the new appointment, saying that he thought the reorganization would put “our customers … at the center more than ever.”
A 15-year veteran of the company, he previously served as managing director of operations in Spain and Portugal and then later as managing director of all Latin American operations.
“At JBT Marel, we always go beyond the machines in our offerings, and now, I have a fantastic opportunity to prove this commitment to our customers and the entire seafood market,” Lages said.
Jón Birgir Gunnarsson said that he is “convinced that the complementary skills of our leadership team will elevate our relationship with customers to new heights.”
Gunnarsson said his Icelandic heritage made him “passionate about the seafood industry and automation” and that he looked “forward to contributing to [Marel's] strategic vision and solidifying its position as a leader in the industry.”
Gunnarsson has held a number of leadership roles, most recently as chief strategy officer of German food processing machinery company Baader.
The personnel moves follow John Bean Technologies (JBT) recently completing the long process of acquiring Marel and becoming JBT Marel.
In the press release announcing the reorganization, JBT Marel said that "the recent unification of JBT Marel underscores a dedication to transforming food processing."
"The strategic organizational changes in the Fish division signal a strong intention to stay close to the roots of Marel Fish in the EMEA region, reinforcing the company’s dedication to its heritage and regional expertise [and] solidifying its continued position of providing game-changing solutions and services as a leader in the seafood industry,” the company said.
