Openfolde appoints new group head of operations
Jordon Hauge brings almost 20 years’ experience in operations and engineering leadership across large-scale manufacturing in Ireland and the United States.
Jordon Hauge has been appointed group head of operations for Germinal’s parent group, Openfolde.
The new senior role aims to focus on operational performance, quality, customer service and product delivery across the group, including Germinal and Germinal Amenity in the UK and Ireland.
Mr Hauge brings almost 20 years’ experience in operations and engineering leadership across large-scale manufacturing in Ireland and the United States.
An engineering graduate of the University of North Dakota, he has led teams through operational improvement, safety, investment and change programmes. Mr Hauge will be based at Germinal's site at Horse and Jockey in Co Tipperary.
Welcoming the appointment, Openfolde managing director, William Gilbert, said: ”Jordon brings a strong record of experience in operational leadership and lean manufacturing and will lead improvements in how we process, package, and distribute to customers across our agriculture, amenity and residential sectors.
“Working closely with our site managers in Lincoln, England, and Horse and Jockey in Tipperary, Jordon will help us build on the strong foundations our teams have already put in place.”
Commenting on his appointment, Mr Hauge said: “I am excited to be joining Openfolde at such an important stage in the group’s development. Openfolde has great products, a strong reputation and committed people, and I am looking forward to working with the site teams to make our operations even stronger.”
Openfolde, based in Belfast, develops and supplies climate-smart forage and amenity seed solutions for agriculture and professional amenity markets in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, as well as through distribution partners internationally.
Its e-commerce brands, The Grass People and Lawnsmith, provide grass seed, wildflower seed, lawn care products and expert advice for domestic and specialist settings.
Openfolde’s R&D division, Germinal Horizon, is based at Aberystwyth University in Wales and develops plant traits and varieties that support resilient, sustainable food production, including Aber High Sugar Grass varieties and DoubleRoot clover varieties.
