Saputo Launches Dedicated Global Ingredients Division
Canadian dairy processor Saputo has reorganised its operations by creating a dedicated Ingredients Division. The unit brings together commercial activities, technological development and production infrastructure for dairy ingredients, including high-protein derivatives and functional milk fractions.
Steve Douglas has been appointed president and chief operating officer of the new division. He will oversee its international activities while continuing to manage Saputo’s United Kingdom dairy business until the planned divestment of that operation is completed.
The restructuring separates the ingredients business from Saputo’s core domestic consumer packaged-goods activities. The division is intended to support the development and commercialisation of whey protein concentrates, whey protein isolates and other functional milk derivatives for industrial nutrition, beverage formulation and specialty food production.
Saputo’s reallocation of manufacturing capacity places greater emphasis on processed dairy solids rather than basic bulk commodities. The company’s ingredients portfolio serves adult wellness, clinical nutrition and sports-performance applications, where specialised dairy components are sold at premiums to conventional fluid milk and commodity powders.
The corporate structure also includes a new chief enterprise transformation officer position, held by Haig Poutchigian. The role combines global operational finance, corporate administration and information-technology processes within a centralised service model. The stated priorities include technology deployment, digital inventory management and automated data collection across procurement and processing operations.
In Canada, Dave Paradis has become president and chief operating officer of the Canadian Dairy Division. His responsibilities include Saputo’s domestic processing assets, operating-cost management, plant productivity and customer agreements. Executive leadership described the changes as an acceleration of existing strategic objectives, combining ingredient development, operational automation and regional processing management within the company’s international dairy operations.
