Zespri International
Mike Knowles has over three decades of experience in the horticulture and export sectors, currently serving as Shipping Manager at Zespri International Ltd since June 2001, overseeing global shipping and export documentation for a budget exceeding $100 million. Prior to this role, Mike held various positions at Zespri Service Centre Europe from January 1993 to May 2001, culminating as European Operations Manager with responsibility for a €9 million budget and operations for a time-sensitive product. Mike's career began as an Export Field Officer at Fruitfed Export Ltd and progressed through roles in supply chain management and regulatory compliance for the NZ Kiwifruit Marketing Board, enhancing expertise in kiwifruit processing and logistics. Educational qualifications include a Diploma in Horticulture from Lincoln University, achieved in 1986, and foundational education at Mt Roskill Grammar School.
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Zespri International
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Welcome to Zespri, one of the world’s most successful horticultural marketing companies and NZ’s largest horticultural exporter, exporting more than 167 million trays of kiwifruit to more than 50 countries around the world, managing 30 percent of the global volume. We’re part of a global team of growers, post-harvest suppliers, employees, distributors and retailers dedicated to consistently providing quality, fresh kiwifruit. With sales revenues of $3.1 billion, the Zespri™ Brand is recognised as the world leader in premium-quality kiwifruit. Based in New Zealand, we are 100 percent owned by current or past kiwifruit growers, and employ approximately 550 people globally. On behalf of our 3,200 growers in New Zealand and 1,200 growers based elsewhere, we manage kiwifruit innovation, supply and distribution management and marketing of Zespri™ Green, Zespri™ Organic Green, Zespri™ Sweet Green, Zespri™ SunGold, Zespri™ Organic SunGold, Zespri™ Gold Kiwifruit and Zespri™ Red. Zespri invests heavily in the future of New Zealand kiwifruit. Our plant breeding programme is the world’s largest and most advanced, with 75,000 potential new varieties. We are also at the cutting edge of research on kiwifruit health and nutrition, on-orchard productivity and sustainability, to name a few. This passion, innovation and investment ensures Zespri’s position as the world’s premier kiwifruit brand.