Sakata Seed Southern Africa (Pty)Ltd announce the retirement of their Managing Director, Mr. Lindsay Campleman, who has been part of the company for more than three decades. Lindsay joined Sakata on February 1, 1992, as Financial Director and served as Commercial Director from January 2004. In 2009, he assumed the position of Managing Director, while retaining the Commercial role and leading the company’s growth and profitability for the last 14 years.
As of 1 May 2023, Susan Allen takes over as Managing Director and Jan-Louis Bezuidenhout as Commercial Director. Susan is an experienced Supply Chain Director, having worked in the agricultural industry and specifically the vegetable seed business for many years. Susan holds a BSc degree in Botany, Microbiology, and Plant Pathology, as well as a BSc Honours degree in Plant Pathology (with Horticulture) and started her career as a sales representative more than 30 years ago. She moved into Supply Chain Management 18 years ago and has been responsible for seed production and processing, quality assurance, warehousing, inventory control, and factory seed packing for both the professional and hobby markets since then. Throughout her career, Susan has been an active participant in the South African National Seed organisation, including a term as Chairman of the Board of Directors (2016 – 2017).
Jan-Louis Bezuidenhout, Commercial Manager for Professional Vegetables will be assuming the position of Commercial Director where he will oversee sales and product development for Professional Vegetables, and MayFord branded products, including packets for the retail trade as well as flowers and grass seed for the professional markets. After finalising his MSc. (Agric) degree in Horticulture, Jan-Louis joined Sakata in April 2005 as a Junior Trial Officer and was later appointed as Product Development Manager in October 2011. During his tenure in Product Development, Jan-Louis launched various new commercial varieties including butternuts Pluto and Quantum, which making Sakata the market leader in this segment since 2009.
Sakata Seed Corporation of Japan with a well-established R&D, production and sales network provides high-quality seed to more than 170 counties globally and celebrates its 110th anniversary this year. Sakata Seed Southern Africa is a subsidiary of European Sakata Holdings, with Sakata Seed Corporation of Japan being the Ultimate Holding Company and is responsible for sales in Sub-Saharan Africa including Southern and East Africa.
Sakata’s product range is customised to suit local requirements, and the continued aim is to surpass our customers’ expectations in terms of product and service delivery. The new executive structure strengthens Sakata’s commitment to growth, innovation, and excellence in the vegetable seed market.
