The man who guided Goulburn Valley fruit processors through a merger, public listing and acquisition by soft drink bottler Coca Cola Amatil is leaving SPC Ardmona for a new job.

Managing director Nigel Garrard could have become a casualty at any stage of the major changes, but he stayed for eight years and fulfilled a prediction he made in 2001.

He had told Country News he wanted to lift SPC's turnover from $200 million to $500 million. He reached the mark, but it took a little longer than the five years he predicted.

Late in April he will take up the managing director's position with Amcor Australasia, following an approach made to him last year.

"I was not looking for a job; I've enjoyed eight-and-a-half years at SPC Ardmona, but they approached me late last year and one thing led to another," Mr Garrard said.

In 2002 SPC announced a merger with Ardmona; it was one of the toughest change processes Mr Garrard had to manage, with strong loyalties in both companies challenging the move.

"It was a big change and everyone was fairly apprehensive about it," he said.

"We had to let some people go, and nobody enjoys that."

But Mr Garrard also believes it has helped set the company up to grow and develop in an increasingly competitive market.

"I think it was logical. The right thing for two businesses and the right thing for the industry."

Mr Garrard, 48, believes he is leaving the company in good shape and sees a good future ahead, despite the economic slow-down.

"People will always go back to the brands they trust," he said.

"The company offers good healthy choices."

Orrvale grower Andrew Prentice was a director on the SPC and SPC Ardmona boards who worked with Mr Garrard for about five years.

"There's no doubt he enjoys a challenge and getting right in there," Mr Prentice said last week.

"And he's not afraid of hard work.

"I think he's had a good relationship in general with the growers and he's been good for the company."

Coca Cola Amatil's recent outlook predicted an $8 million to $10 million EBIT (earnings before income tax) result for SPC Ardmona this year.

Asked what he has learned from his time with SPC Ardmona, Mr Garrard said: "Respect other people because they will make you successful or unsuccessful; be visible and don't just stay in your office all the time; and, working as a team, you will succeed."

His new job will enable him to remain living in Melbourne with his wife and five children aged between eight and 24.

SPC Ardmona's chief financial officer Steve Perkins will become acting managing director.

Mr Perkins lives in Shepparton, has been with the company for several years and has been with Coca Cola Amatil for 28 years.

A Coca Cola Amatil spokesperson said there had been no decisions made about the position or who would fill the role.

The packaging company Amcor Australasia had $2.2 billion sales for the past financial year, with $332 million profit before income tax.

editor@countrynews.com.au