ISRAEL: Strauss appoints CEO for Israel division

By: just-food.com | 11 May 2009

Israeli food maker Strauss Group has appointed Zion Balans as president and CEO of its domestic unit.

Balas will assume his role on 15 June and follows the recent appointment of Gadi Lesin as group CEO, effective from 1 July.

With 15 years of experience in various senior managerial positions in operations, logistics and sales management at Strauss Group, Balas served as GM of the company's Israel sales division in the last three years.

Earlier in his career, Balas served as operations manager of Strauss Dairies, and was a member of the team that built the new Achihood Dairy in the late 90's. Balas was later vice president operations of Strauss Fresh Foods with overall responsibility for all Strauss Fresh Foods plants.

Lesin said: "Zion Balas has extensive experience within the Strauss Group, fulfilling various senior managerial positions, successfully steered complex and challenging processes over the past years. I am convinced that his strategic and leadership capabilities combined with his high performance skills, and his good interpersonal capabilities, will enable Zion to be highly successful at implementing Strauss Israel's challenges in the years to come."

The company appointed Lesin to his new role last month following the resignation of Erez Vigodman after eight years as Strauss CEO.

Following the announcement, the company revealed that deputy Avi Ben Assayag had resigned. Local media had reported that he was the front-runner for the job.

Chairperson Ofra Strauss said the company chose from "a number of excellent candidates" from within the business.

Sectors: Baby food, Bakery, Chilled foods, Snacks

Companies: Strauss Group