At the 28th General Meeting of Pink Lady® Europe, held on 12th December at L’Institut Agro Montpellier, Didier Crabos, the founder and long-standing President of APLE (Association des Producteurs de Pommes Pink Lady® Europe) announced his retirement after 27 years of exceptional leadership.
Throughout his career, Didier guided the development of Pink Lady® Europe with unwavering dedication, foresight, and passion. As the founder of Pink Lady® Europe, Dider’s leadership has helped establish Pink Lady® globally as more than just an apple—it has become a leading premium brand and a benchmark for value creation within the fresh produce industry, admired for its ability to create long-term value for growers, licensees, and consumers.
Didier not only helped to propel Pink Lady® in Europe and beyond, but he has also contributed to the development and evolution of Pink Lady® in international markets. His dedication to expanding the Pink Lady® network, working closely with APAL to support licensees and drive sustainable brand growth, has worked to ensure long-term success for the Pink Lady brand across the globe.
Phil Turnbull, Group CEO of APAL, the global owner of the Pink Lady brand, expressed his gratitude for Didier’s long-standing contribution to the global growth and development of the Pink Lady® brand. “Didier Crabos’ leadership at APLE has been pivotal in shaping Pink Lady® into the globally recognised brand it is today. His vision and passion have not only benefited the Pink Lady® Europe network but have also had an impact on the brand’s success globally.
“We appreciate Didier’s unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions to the global Pink Lady® network and thank him for his participation in the global steering committee, his strategic counsel and the time he’s devoted to the development of the Pink Lady® brand’s emerging markets.”
Bruno Bertheloz, Managing Director of Blue Whale SAS, has been elected as the new Chair of Pink Lady® Europe. Building on Didier’s legacy, Bruno’s leadership marks a new era for the brand in Europe.
Didier Crabos and Bruno Bertheloz
