H.J. Heinz Co. said on Tuesday that Neil Harrison, the president and chief executive officer of the ketchup maker's North American region, would leave his position to pursue other interests.
The Pittsburgh-based company said Harrison has been with Heinz since 1997, leading its U.S. frozen foods businesses and most recently serving as president and CEO of Heinz North America.
Heinz spokesman Jack Kennedy said Harrison is expected to step down shortly as part of a personal career decision and that the company — whose brands include Heinz ketchup, sauces, soups and beans — has not yet chosen a successor.
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The announcement comes after Heinz in November said quarterly earnings fell nearly 10 percent as the company lost income from underperforming units it spun off late in 2002.
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Earnings from the remaining businesses, however, rose, on strong performance in U.S. ketchup and sauces and wider operating margins in the Asia Pacific region, where the company has been expanding.
The company also said its North American frozen foods business, which includes Smart Ones entrees and Ore-Ida potatoes, declined in part due to low-carbohydrate eating trends such as the Atkins diet and competition from cheaper brands.














