Australia
August 2013
AgBiTech Pty Ltd has appointed a new Chairman ahead of its expansion into the Americas and Europe.
Experienced agribusiness executive, John Stewart, has taken over from AgBiTech’s founding Chairman, Jeff Bidstrup, who will remain with the company as a Director.
AgBiTech officially announced Mr Stewart’s appointment on 23 August 2013 at the launch of the company’s new production facilities in Toowoomba, Queensland.
According to AgBiTech CEO, Anthony Hawes, Mr Stewart has the right mix of international agricultural sector experience and corporate governance knowledge to lead the company’s global push.
“AgBiTech actively sought John Stewart to lead the company through a rapid expansion phase,” said Mr Hawes.
“John will play an invaluable role helping the company take its products to new overseas markets,” he said.
Initially, Mr Stewart will steer AgBiTech in its intense push into South American markets, particularly Brazil. However, his primary focus will be on AgBiTech’s projected 2014 launch into the United States and a potential 2015 entry into key European markets.
Mr Stewart will continue as the Managing Director of PGG Wrightson Australia, an agricultural seed distributor, and a Director of Cotton Seed Distributors.
His prior experience includes roles for listed and unlisted companies in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe and the USA. These include Vice-President of New York-listed seed company Delta and Pine Land, CEO of New Zealand-based Gralsslanz Technology and founding CEO of ASX listed, PrimeAg Australia Limited.
Established in 2001, AgBiTech develops and manufactures biological insect control solutions. Its range of registered products are used and trusted by both broad-acre and horticultural growers in Australia and overseas.
The company expects to secure registration of its baculovirus-based biological control for the agricultural insect pest, Helicoverpa, in the USA in early 2014. It is working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture to develop a similar solution for the insect pest Spodoptera frugiperda.
AgBiTech will market its Helicoverpa NPV (nucleopolyhedrovirus) product in the United States under the Heligen trademark.
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