Jan Benes
Managing Director APAC
Jan has 24 years of experience in the kiwifruit industry in Executive and Director roles, specializing in post harvest and logistics. Jan is a member of the New Zealand Kiwifruit Industry Advisory Council and a grower of kiwifruit. Jan's main areas of focus within the Jace Group are Auckland Pack and Cool, Mount Pack and Cool and Pure Pollen Limited.
P 021 271 0061
Brendon Lee
General Manager
Brendon has many years experience in the Kiwifruit industry, previously a Site Manager for Seeka. Brendon now manages the day to day management activities of APAC, as well as the commercial interface with Zespri. He also actively manages the Auckland Growers Supply Group Ltd interests in relation to grower payments and pool management.
P 09 2679205
Paul Lysaght
Orchard Business Manager
Paul joined APAC in 2010 managing the Orchard Contracting Division. Paul is the liaison for leased and managed growers and oversees the day to day operation on 140ha of managed and leased orchards in the South Auckland region. Paul has a team of three Orchard Managers. Paul owns his own kiwifruit orchard growing Hayward and G3.
P 09 2679205
Tui Clarke
Grower Liaison Manager
Tui manages the interface between APAC and our growers providing a range of year round services including technical bulletins and field days. She keeps growers informed of the latest advances in kiwifruit management. At harvest time Tui audits pickers to ensure fruit quality is maintained. If you are interested in packing with APAC please contact Tui.
Phone: 027 6583325
Email: tuic@aucklandpac.co.nz
Michael Schwed
Client Liaison Manager – Far North
Formerly from the Bay of Plenty, Mike has enjoyed a successful career in the export kiwifruit sector holding a number of senior field and post-harvest roles, before having a stint in the wine industry most recently as General Manager for Cellar Select.
P 027 8397883
Lynne Hanson
Office Manager
Lynne manages the accounts, payroll and administration. During packing season Lynne is also responsible for grower reporting.
P 09 2679205
John Gray
Business Support Manager
John has worked in kiwifruit for over 20 years and has a wide range of experience in orchard activities. He coordinates the harvest, APAC spraying, mowing, mulching, spray diaries, Kerepehi Coolstore, pollination, crop estimates and the packhouse packaging.
P 021 520935
Peter Crawford
Technical Manager
Peter has many years experience in the rural sector including more than 29 years experience in the kiwifruit industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to the SOL team. Peter is recognized in the industry as one of the top performers in his field. Peters focus is on orchard development and technical advisory to maximize orchard productions.
P 0275 097 281
Kelly Hair
Orchard Manager
Kelly has been working with Kiwifruit for 33 years and manages 50ha of orchards in the Waiuku area of South Auckland. Kelly also owns his own orchard growing Hayward and HE varieties.
P 029 4996241
Gurinderpal Singh
Orchard Manager
Gurinderpal has been working with Kiwifruit for over 20 years and manages 65ha of orchards the Tuakau/Pukekawa area of South Auckland. Gurinderpal also owns his own orchard growing Hayward and GA varieties.
P 021 2461304
Gurmandeep Singh
Orchard Manager
Gurman recently joined our team of orchard managers. He developed his orchard skills in the BOP and now manages over 50 ha of both Hayward and G3 across South Auckland. Gurman places a strong emphasis on maximising canopy development to achieve high yields.
P 0278374072
E Gurmandeep@aucklandpac.co.nz
Mandeep Pannu
Quality and Compliance Manager
Mandeep ensures both growers and the packhouse meet Zespri’s exacting standards of high quality in fruit grade, pest and diseases and food safety. Mandeep manages a team of qualified Quality Control staff.
P 09 2679205
Elaine Marx
EDI Manager
Elaine manages the Electronic Data Input (EDI) team who are responsible for documenting fruit as it is packed. They generate the pallet cards to ensure shipping specifications are met, as well as providing all electronic data required for shipping the trays all around the world.
P 09 2679205
Tessa Hickson
Coolstore Operations Manager
Tessa runs the coolstore operations and is the Health & Safety officer.
P 027 4060660
Liam Croudis
Production Supervisor
P 09 2679205
Jay Matagi-Lopa
Coolstore Forklift Driver
P 09 2679205
Grant Bartlett
Orchard Sprayer Operator
Grant manages spraying of our South Auckland orchards. During the harvest season Grant continues with spraying, assists with loading and unloading of trucks, and delivers kiwifruit to the packhouse.
P 027 5340049
.
Phil Goodall
Orchard Sprayer Operator
Phil manages spraying of 130ha of our South Auckland orchards. During the harvest season Phil continues with spraying, assists with loading and unloading of trucks, and delivers kiwifruit to the packhouse.
P 027 5553341
Garth Leslie
Orchard Mowing and Mulching
Garth manages the mowing and mulching of our South Auckland orchards. During the harvest season Garth assists with loading and unloading of trucks.
P 027 4063019
Jessica Calder
Payroll and Accounts Administrator
Jess manages the Payroll and Accounts Payable & Receivable.
P 09 2679205
Shane Symonds
Orchard Maintenance Technician
Shane manages the irrigation on our orchards in South Auckland. He is also involved in structure repairs, frost protection and pollination. During harvest Shane is involved in loading and unloading trucks on orchards.
P 021 990876
Anthony Benes
Packhouse Operations Manager
Anthony oversees packhouse operations, ensuring production runs smoothly according to the packing plan, as well as ensuring production meets supply requests in terms of volume, size, pack type, labelling and quality set by ZESPRI. Anthony contacts growers when their fruit is being packed.
P 027 7214266