New Zealand Meat Producer/Exporter Names New Chief Executive

Dec. 15, 2023

Dan Boulton takes the reins of Silver Fern Farms, which has exported meat into the U.S. for 40 years.

Dan Boulton, new chief executive, Silver Fern Farms

Silver Fern Farms, a New Zealand protein producer that has exported meat into the U.S. for four decades, has appointed Dan Boulton as its new chief executive, according to a release from the company. Boulton has served as chief supply chain officer for six years for Silver Fern Farms leading up to this appointment.

Boulton will begin serving as CEO in February 2024, replacing Simon Limmer, who had served in the role for the past five years and pioneered the company’s sustainability efforts across its co-op farms and 14 processing plants. Limmer is leaving the company to join wine producer and exporter Indevin Group.

Boulton expects to continue to push Silver Fern Farms as a highly committed red meat leader in the U.S. The company has become New Zealand’s largest grass-fed lamb, beef and venison producer in partnership with 16,000 farmers, and exports to more than 60 countries. New Zealand is the fourth-largest supplier of meat to the U.S. market.

The company’s products are available in over 1,600 stores nationwide and via the web. Silver Fern Farms’ last reported annual revenue was NZ$2.7 billion (US$1.675 billion).

About the Author

Andy Hanacek | Senior Editor

Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.