Cameron McInness continues long-running family legacy.
Cameron McInness.
AUCKLAND, Monday 30th September 2024:
Horticultural heavyweight and one of New Zealand’s longest-established businesses, Jenkins Group Ltd is pleased to announce a new family member will now take the helm.
Cameron McInness will take over as managing director of the privately owned business, which is now in its 141st year. The appointment follows the retirement of Tony Sayle who has led the company for the past 25 years.
Jenkins Group is a key industry player throughout Australasia’s horticulture post-harvest industry, providing an extensive range of labelling, packaging and automated handling systems to the fruit and vegetable industry across New Zealand and Australia via multiple subsidiaries.
McInness had previously held roles as general manager of Jenkins’ startup business, Ripesense Ltd, which produced the world’s first fruit label that changed colour to depict the ripeness of fruit.
He has also headed up Global Pac Technologies, a joint venture established to sell intelligent robotic fruit packing machines in partnership with Robotic Plus Ltd. The Aporo II automates the most labour-intensive job in the packhouse and has proven to be a game-changer for post-harvest operators around the globe.
McInness will take over the role in October having been with the company for the past 22 years.
Sayle said: “I am delighted that Cameron has accepted the role and has the chance to take the company forward into a new chapter in its long and vibrant history … He will continue what has been a long tradition of family members leading our business, which started in Auckland in 1883.”
Having spent time in the UK and California with a Jenkins’ Group key partner, Sinclair International, McInness returned to New Zealand to head up the group’s horticulture division in 2002. He subsequently joined the Jenkins board and became general manager of the group’s ‘Jenkins Labels’ and later went to Australia as GM of the group’s subsidiary, J-Tech Systems Pty Ltd. In his current role as director of new ventures and innovation for Jenkins, McInness has been instrumental in establishing shareholding partnerships with CR Automation Ltd and ABC Software Ltd.
“With his extensive immersion across all facets of the Jenkins business and experience with our partners, Cameron is ideally positioned to take on the managing director role and lead the business forward to further success,” Sayle said.
“For my own part, it has been a privilege to lead one of New Zealand’s longest established businesses and work with the family and shareholders that have been so supportive and positive throughout my time as managing director.”
McInness said: “On behalf of Jenkins, I would like to thank Tony Sayle for his commitment and service to our customers, partners, and people. Over his tenure, Tony has led Jenkins through significant change and at times major industry and global challenges. He has always led with honesty and integrity.
“I’m honoured to take on the role of MD.”
Sayle will continue as a member on the Jenkins Board.
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