TAGS: coffee service, coffee news, D.E. Master Blenders 1753 NV, Michiel Herkemij, Sara Lee Corp., Douwe Egberts coffee, Senseo single-cup coffee machines, Jan Bennink, Hillshire Brands
AMSTERDAM -- D.E. Master Blenders 1753 NV said chief executive Michiel Herkemij has left the coffee and tea company, which spun off from Sara Lee Corp. in June. | SEE STORY
The Amsterdam-based maker of Douwe Egberts coffee and Senseo single-cup coffee machines said Herkemij departed last month "by mutual consent." He had held the top spot for only a year.
Jan Bennink, nonexecutive chairman of the board, has taken over Herkemij's duties until a new chief executive is appointed.
Herkemij led D.E. Master Blenders through listing on the Amsterdam Stock exchange on July 9, after it was spun off by Sara Lee's U.S. business, now known as Hillshire Brands.
Bennink said that 2012 was a transitional year for DEMB, as it began to implement a strategy of "innovation and premiumization." He added, "the fundamentals we have in place today remain solid and we continue on track to deliver our objectives for sales and earnings."
