Former Zatarain's CEO named McCormick & Co.'s international chief

Former Zatarain's CEO named McCormick & Co.'s international chief

Former Zatarain's CEO named McCormick & Co.'s international chief

 

McCormick & Co. Inc. has appointed Lawrence Kurzius to president of its international operations.

Kurzius previously headed the spice maker's operations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Starting Sept. 1, he also takes responsibility for McCormick's Canadian, Asian and Australian operations, and will head the company's growth efforts in all emerging markets.

As Kurzius' job becomes more international, he will relocate from England to McCormick's corporate offices in Hunt Valley.

Malcolm Swift will succeed Kurzius as head of McCormick (NYSE: MKC) in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He previously was vice president of the firm's consumer group for the region.

The moves are part of an ongoing succession planning effort at McCormick, which named longtime executive Alan Wilson CEO this year. Kurzius has been working closely with Swift to develop him as a successor to head the European operations, Sparks-based McCormick said in a news release.

Kurzius joined McCormick in 2003 when the firm acquired Zatarain's, a New Orleans-style food maker, where Kurzius was CEO. He has climbed the corporate ladder quickly at McCormick, with two promotions in 2005.

Before he joined Zatarain's, Kurzius worked in marketing for Uncle Ben's, a division of Mars Inc., and the Quaker Oats Company.

Swift joined McCormick in 2005 after working for Pedigree Petfoods, Diageo,Time Warner Inc. and Hero AG.