A company based in the UK and South Africa which gives fruit and vegetable growers in sub-Saharan Africa and other locations direct access to world markets, using proven experts who are well versed in keeping costs and overheads at the lowest possible level. As well as marketing expertise, the service includes a full logistics function.Contact details: E: tw@afriag.co.ukT: +27 10 599 0282M: +27 82 785 8373

A specialist fresh produce business interacting with local and international PMO's and retailers. Expertise in both import and export to and from sub saharan Africa with a range of suitably accredited suppliers and clients. Strong logistics partners afford cost effective and reliable supply globally.15 years extensive experience in the African landscape secures the know how and partners to add value to your business with specialist procurement and access to a range of clients and suppliers providing 12 months supply of a range of top notch products.We provide both a route and access to markets world wide and love any new challenges.Contact me on either toby@catoproduce.com or +27827858373

A subsidiary of the Lonrho Food Supply Chain Management group with an annual turnover of R1.5B.May 2006 to May 2009 – Local Business ManagerMay 2009 to June 2011 – General ManagerJuly 2011 to December 2012 – Managing DirectorDecember 2012 to January 2015 – Commercial DirectorSummary and Key Achievements:Recruited from Zambia, I enjoyed nine great years within the business in a variety of roles. Initially it was a diverse operation covering retail trade into Europe, air, road and sea freight, and supply to all major regional retailers. Latterly, the business focused more on its core abilities of fresh produce supply and value add once the logistics elements of the business were restructured into further acquisitions. During the transition from privately owned entrepreneurial business to important subsidiary of Lonrho, I earned increased responsibility and registered a number of significant achievements. These included:- Opening retail accounts in SA with Pick n Pay, Spar and Shoprite, managing them from zero base sales to current levels of circa R90m/annum.- Managing formal trading accounts to a current base of R50m/annum.- Starting one of the largest horticultural operations in Zimbabwe, covering more than 100 hectares of stone fruit and 400 hectares of vegetables and fruit with an annual export of circa 3000MT/annum.- Assisting in reopening the supply of fresh produce from Zimbabwe to UK retailers.- Identifying an opportunity to supply SA retailers with strawberries, and initiating the project in 2011. This now generates circa R30m in sales annually with huge potential for expansion. Trials are now underway with UK retailers.- Inception of supply of prepared mango to Asda in the UK. This was an 18-month project from concept to delivery via various significant audits and approval, as a key development in our business strategy.Successfully implementing Lonrho’s presence on the Beira Corridor in 2014.

Key Achievements:- Establishing the infrastructure and demand to increase annual volumes from 700MT to 1,000MT of fresh vegetables per annum – predominantly into the UK retail sector.- Acquiring new customers in the UK, SA, France, Australia and New Zealand.- Obtaining international accreditation by the British Retail Consortium at Higher Level - essential for any export of fresh product to the EU.- Overseeing staff numbers of 250 to 500, dependent on season, and doubling productivity.

Key Achievements:- Building up a QA team of 26 for a leading cut-flower supplier to Tesco and Sainsbury’s.- Liaising with all growers, predominantly in East Africa but also South America, Holland and the UK.- Implementing a purpose built computer system to improve standards of reporting and data analysis.- Playing a central role in a production team providing a 30% year-on-year increase in volume, and launching an e-commerce venture for leading companies.- Maintaining a 99.7% overall customer service level.

Key achievements:- Managing the quality function within a Spanish-based citrus company supplying UK supermarkets.

Key Achievements:- Duties during the first two years included organising import permits, banana licensing, offloading vessels, onward distribution and quality control.- I then moved to the Swindon depot to take control of the QA team with full responsibility for service level and customer liaison with additional responsibility for ripening the product