January 13/ADP News Netherlands -- Dutch food firm Royal Wessanen said it proposed Piet Hein Merckens to take the helm from interim chief-executive Frans Koffrie as of June 1.

Merckens is now heading the coffee and tea activities of U.S. Sara Lee.

In addition, the company announced it will sell its U.S. unit American Beverage Corporation (ABC) in 2011. Wessanen Europe will remain its core business then, with the company aiming at annual sales of over 1 billion euros ($1.45 billion).  

From the January 18, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition