E-Malt.com News article: Canada: Viterra adds former ABB Grain chiefs to its Board of Directors

Canadian Viterra Inc. confirmed on September, 23 that four former Directors of ABB Grain Ltd. have joined Viterra's Board of Directors, MarketWire reported. This satisfies a commitment Viterra made to ABB in the merger implementation agreement the two companies signed on May 19, 2009, when they agreed Viterra would acquire ABB.

"Our new appointments are an excellent complement to Viterra's Board. The former ABB Directors who have been selected to help govern our combined company have the necessary background and breadth of knowledge, not only with a deep understanding of Australia's agriculture industry, but also with respect to government processes and the business environment in Australia and New Zealand. We welcome their insights and individual expertise as we successfully integrate our companies," said Thomas Birks, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Viterra.

Viterra also noted that to facilitate the appointment of these new Directors, because of limitations under the Canadian Business Corporations Act with respect to the number of directors that can be added to the Board at any one time, Mr. Herb Pinder, a long-time Viterra Director, has temporarily resigned from the Board and will act as an observer until spring 2010. Viterra intends to nominate Mr. Pinder for re-election as a Director at the next annual meeting of shareholders.

Viterra's new Directors are:

Mr. Perry Gunner, who was the Chair of ABB's Board and served on its Nomination and Remuneration Committees. He is a Director of Australian Vintage Ltd. and Freedom Nutritional Foods Limited and a previous Director of AusBulk Ltd. Mr. Gunner has been appointed Viterra's Deputy Chairman and will serve on Viterra's Nominating Corporate Governance Committee;

Mr. Max Venning – the former Deputy Chair of ABB's Board, and served on Nomination and Grower Links Committees. A grower from Bute, South Australia, he is also a previous Director of AusBulk Ltd. and United Grower Holdings Ltd. Mr. Venning will serve on Viterra's Compensation Committee;

Mr. Paul Daniel who served on the Finance and Audit Committees of ABB's Board. He is a previous Director of Direct Fertilizers Ltd and is a grower from Balaklava, South Australia. Mr. Daniel will join the Board's Audit Committee;

Mr Kevin Osborn who was the Chair of ABB's Finance and Audit Committees of the Board, and a member of the Corporate Risk and Compliance and Remuneration Committees. He is Deputy Chairman of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd and Director of Leaders Institute of SA Inc. Mr. Osborn will participate on Viterra's Audit Committee and a newly formed Safety, Health and Environment Committee.

Viterra Inc. is Canada's leading agribusiness, with extensive operations and distribution capabilities across Western Canada, and with operations in the United States, Japan, Singapore and Geneva. The Company is diversified into sales and services of crop inputs and equipment, grain handling and marketing, livestock feed, agri-food processing and financial products. These operations are complemented by value-added businesses and strategic alliances, which allow Viterra to leverage its pivotal position between Prairie farmers and destination customers. The Company's common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol VT.

ABB Grain Ltd. is a leading Australian agribusiness with a multi-faceted operation and international focus. ABB’s diversified operations stretch across the entire supply chain. The company’s core business divisions include national supply chain, grain marketing, malt and rural services. ABB employs 1100 staff across its divisions throughout Australia and its international operations.


23 September, 2009