Tauranga-based Ballance Agri-Nutrients Chief Executive, Larry Bilodeau, has been named the 2014 Vodafone/Federated Farmers Agri Businessperson of the Year.

'Larry, as Chief Executive of New Zealand's largest fertiliser supplier, has led the co-operative's evolution from one focused on fertiliser to one meeting the complete farm nutrient needs of our primary industries,” says Bruce Wills, retiring Federated Farmers President.


Larry Bilodeau is the 2014 Vodafone/Federated Farmers Agri Businessperson of the Year.

The late Alistair Polson was named Agri Personality for 2014 at the same Federated Farmers' function on Thursday night.

'Federated Farmers was honoured to not only the two people who have emerged first among equals,” says Bruce.

Larry Bilodeau joined Ballance in 1997 when he accepted the role of General Manager of the Kapuni-based ammonia-urea plant.

In 2000 he became Chief Executive of Ballance Agri-Nutrients.

Larry has considerable experience in managing large-scale industrial organisations, having started his career with Esso/Exxon in Canada, where his achievements included overseeing the design and construction and start-up of major manufacturing facilities, both in Canada and the United States. He was also a key player in the execution of several large mergers and acquisitions.

At Ballance, Larry has explored growth opportunities for the company resulting in the introduction of several new products to the marketplace.

He has also expanded the business with the acquisition of Summit-Quinphos (now Altum), increasing Ballance's shareholding in the company, which focuses on organic and environmentally sustainable fertilisers and nutrients, from 30 to 100 percent. Under Larry's guidance the co-operative has also purchased a 51 per cent stakeholding in two compound animal feed manufacturers to create the nationally operated Seales Winslow business, as well as farm technology company Farmworks Systems Limited.

Larry has a Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical) from Lakehead University, Ontario, and an executive MBA from the University of Virginia.

Larry is retiring as Balance CEO in September.