Frucor Suntory has announced the appointment of Brad Erceg as General Manager, New Zealand, effective from 1 January 2024.

The company says that as part of its journey towards becoming Suntory Oceania, Erceg’s leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of the business in New Zealand. He will continue leading the commercial team and will also take on broader responsibilities for the sustainable growth of the local business.

The Frucor Suntory NZ business boasts a diverse beverage portfolio of energy drinks, water, juice, carbonated soft drinks, RTD Coffee and is the bottling partner for Pepsi Co.

Darren Fullerton, CEO Frucor Suntory Oceania commented: “Brad’s appointment to General Manager, New Zealand is recognition of his deep commercial acumen, strategic agility, and strong leadership. Having served as Sales Director – New Zealand for nearly four years, this transition is a testament to his commitment to the market and his own career within the Suntory family, where he has played an integral part since joining the business as a Territory Manager in 2006.”

The announcement comes as the business prepares to partner with Beam Suntory to create Suntory Oceania, positioning itself as the fourth-largest beverage group in ANZ once operational in 2025 in Australia and 2026 in New Zealand.

Commenting on his new appointment Brad Erceg said: “At its core, Frucor Suntory takes great pride in our New Zealand heritage, which can be traced back to the Apple & Pear Marketing Board and the establishment of the Fresh Up brand over 60 years ago. As we embark on the next phase of growth, I look forward to collaborating with our customers and wider business to continue delivering market-leading beverage experiences to all Kiwis.”