August 25/Mexico City/Marketwire -- Coca-Cola FEMSA S.A.B. de C.V. announced changes to its business structure and organization.

Ernesto Silva Almaguer, presently in charge of the Mexico division, will now extend his responsibilities. In addition to Mexican operations, he will manage the Central American franchise territories in Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. These franchise territories will integrate FEMSA’s new Mexico and Central America division. Per a press release, Almaguer's considerable operating experience has been an important driver of the Mexico division's growth, maintaining a strong focus on profitability and enhancing the execution capabilities of the company’s largest operation to realize its full potential. With more than 15 years of experience in the company, he served as chief operating officer of FEMSA’s Mercosur division, among other executive positions.

John Santa Maria Otazua, currently in charge of Strategic Planning and Commercial Development, will become the head of FEMSA’s new South America division. This new division will comprise FEMSA’s operations in Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina. Otazua has played a key role in the company's strategic planning processes over the past three years and has led its efforts to design and coordinate the implementation of innovative commercial and service models. He has more than 16 years of experience within the company, during which time he served as chief operating officer of the Mexican operations, among other executive positions.

Rafael Suarez Olaguibel, who is currently in charge of the Latincentro division, will become head of Special Projects at the corporate level. According to the company, Olaguibel's track record during his five years as head of this division has been fundamental to the successful operation of these franchise territories and their improved profitability in a complex environment. He has more than 25 years of experience in Coca-Cola FEMSA, during which time he served as commercial planning and strategic development director, and chief operating officer of our Mexican and Argentinean operations, among other executive positions.

"This new business structure will provide us with the necessary flexibility to manage our business going forward and extend our track record of growth. Coca-Cola FEMSA has constantly worked to develop the talent and capabilities to achieve a highly efficient organization, well prepared to continue on its path of growth and capture the potential of the beverage industry, relying on our most valuable asset, our wide pool of talented professionals. We are confident that John and Ernesto will ensure the continued growth of our operations and that Rafael will continue to contribute his experience to develop our Company's capabilities," said Carlos Salazar Lomelin, chief executive officer of the company.

In accordance with this new business structure, as of the third quarter of 2011, the reporting segments will be Mexico and Central America, and South America.

 

From the August 29, 2011, Prepared Foods' Daily News.