Jānis Rimša Appointed to ASNS Ingredient Board as Chief Operating Officer

Jānis Rimša has assumed the role of a Board Member — Chief Operating Officer at ASNS Ingredient SIA. He will be responsible for managing the company’s construction and infrastructure projects, as well as overseeing production operations.

“I am delighted to welcome such an experienced professional as Jānis Rimša to the ASNS Ingredient management team. Given the rapid progress of the project, it is crucial to strengthen our team in the field of operating management. At present, construction of the buildings is underway, paving the way for the installation of equipment and the subsequent launch of full-scale production. Jānis’ extensive expertise and sound decision-making and leadership skills will be invaluable assets to the small yet highly ambitious ASNS team,” accentuates Gundars Ruža, Chairperson of the Council of ASNS Ingredient and Chief Financial Officer of LATRAPS.

To date, Jānis Rimša has acquired extensive experience in operating management at several food production companies in Latvia and Ukraine. His expertise and knowledge will be a valuable contribution to the development and capacity expansion of ASNS Ingredient.

“I am very pleased to join the enthusiastic ASNS Ingredient team. The new position presents a unique opportunity not only to achieve ambitious professional goals and results but also to be part of a company creating and driving global innovation in the food production industry,” professes Jānis Rimša.

With Jānis Rimša joining the management team, which previously had only one Board Member, Edgars Ruža, the ASNS Ingredient Board will now consist of two members. Also, while currently the ASNS Ingredient team consists of ten employees, the company plans to create more than hundred new jobs in Jelgava in the future.

Upon completion, ASNS Ingredient will become the largest and most advanced pea protein production facility in Northern Europe. Notably, the ASNS project is not just a production facility — it represents Latvia’s entry into the global market, offering high-value-added products that cater to the rapidly growing international demand for plant-based protein sources. Beyond its direct economic impact, the project will generate new jobs and stimulate economic growth both in Latvia and the surrounding region. 

ASNS Ingredient SIA is a partially owned subsidiary of LATRAPS, the largest agricultural cooperative in the Baltics. By issuing bonds listed on the Nasdaq Baltic First North Market this year and attracting strategic investor — Pfeifer & Langen International BV, the construction of the production facility commenced in December 2024.

LATRAPS’ core business objective is to offer comprehensive services to farmers, covering the entire cycle of grain production and sales. LATRAPS is a company fully owned by Latvian farmers, and its success is driven by a steadily expanding base of dedicated members and customers, a strong focus on exports and ongoing innovation in the industry.

Currently, active construction work is underway in Jelgava, and most of the buildings of ASNS Ingredient are scheduled for commissioning by the end of summer 2025. Land reclamation and surface transformation works have already been completed, and construction of the foundations and structures has begun. The first building — a warehouse for finished products — is expected to be completed in May. The other premises in the plant complex will be allocated for production processes, with construction scheduled for completion by the end of the summer. From April, the ordered equipment will start to come in. Assembly work at the plant is expected to begin by the end of summer 2025 and continue until autumn 2026, with the perspective of launching the plant in 2027.