H. Lloyd Palmer, President of World Potato Congress, announced today the recipients of Potato Industry Awards which will be presented at the opening session of the World Potato Congress on March 3rd in Durban, South Africa. The presentations will be made by Honorable D.A.Hanekom, Minister of Land and Agriculture for the Republic of South Africa.
The Awards will be presented to J R Simplot, President Emeritus of the J R Simplot Company, Boise, Idaho, U.S.A.; The International Potato Centre, Lima, Peru; Mr. Robin Pooley, General Manager of Anglian Produce, Norfolk, U.K.; and Mr. Heinz Wenger, President of Wenger KG, Herten, Germany.
John R "Jack" Simplot, or "J R" as he is universally known, is perhaps more than anyone else responsible for the development of the Idaho potato industry. Founder of the company that bears his name, his connection to the potato industry goes back to 1929. During World War II, he was the largest supplier of dehydrated potatoes to the U.S. military. After the war, his attention turned to the frozen food industry, starting a revolution that today is known as "fast food." His operations now extend to Canada, Mexico, China, and Australia.
The first corporate award ever to be made by the World Potato Congress is to the International Potato Centre on the occasion of its first 25 years of service. During this period, it has contributed enormously to the sustainable development of potato production in emerging countries throughout the world. This work, which includes both production and the fight against potato diseases and pests, is proving an increasing success in the prevention of famine throughout the world. Dr. Hubert Zandstra, Director General of CIP and keynote speaker at the Congress will accept the Award.
Robin Pooley is retiring General Manager of Anglian Produce Ltd., the largest potato cooperative in the U.K. He chairs the European Working Party on Potatoes representing producers and cooperatives and is former Executive Director of the U.K.Potato Marketing Board. He has become the most prominent contemporary advocate of the European potato industry.
Heinz Wenger joined his father's company at the end of World War II, and under his guidance it transformed from a general trading company into a pioneering specialist potato company that led the post-war restructuring of the German potato industry. His skills and enthusiasm were again called upon in 1991 with the reunification of Germany, and now, as he approaches retirement after 50 years of service, he is able to leave his son to take the company and the German potato industry into the 21st century.
In making this announcement, Mr. Palmer stated that he was extremely pleased the Congress could honour such international figures, and doubly pleased that all of the recipients will be present to receive their awards in front of their international peers.
For more information, contact H. Lloyd Palmer at (902) 368-8885.