KUALA LUMPUR (June 16): Dutch Lady Milk Industries Bhd (DLMI) has announced the appointment of Ramjeet Kaur Virik as its managing director effective July 2.

She will succeed Tarang Gupta, who will be appointed managing director for Alaska Milk Corp in the Philippines, which like DLMI is a subsidiary of Dutch multinational Royal FrieslandCampina NV.

The 44-year-old Malaysian will also assume the role of executive director for DLMI and a member of the DLMI board, reporting to FrieslandCampina's president for specialised nutrition (global) Berndt Kodden, DLMI said in a statement.

Ramjeet, who is currently DLMI's marketing director (consumer dairy), joined the company in 2011 as marketing manager for dairy-based beverages, subsequently moving to Indonesia in the same capacity for PT Frisian Flag Indonesia sweetened condensed milk category and later as international marketing manager based in Singapore.

In January 2018, Ramjeet was promoted to marketing director for consumer dairy of DLMI where she led the portfolio and strengthened its market position in the past three years.

"Ramjeet will continue to build upon the exceptional leadership of Tarang who oversaw the strengthening of DLMI's market position as the leading dairy company in Malaysia, and further solidify ties with all stakeholders and business partners as well as drive future readiness with our milestone world-class RM400 million manufacturing hub, expected to be operational in 2023," said the group.

DLMI's share price closed four sen or 0.12% higher at RM34 today, valuing the group at RM2.18 billion.