<p style="text-indent:0px; line-height:12px;"><span style="font-weight:bold;"> Sherman Oaks, CA-</span><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">By Jordan Okumura<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">02.22.13</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/2012_sales_billiondollaryear_BODY.jpg" alt="Cropped Images Friday 02222013" /></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Sunkist Growers has rounded out its 120th year with its third consecutive billion-dollar year in total revenue. The company reported that total payments to members totaled $840 million compared to $803 million in 2011, according to a press release.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Sunkist President and CEO Russell Hanlin, stated, “Following a year of positive change, Sunkist proudly honors the deep history, traditions and culture that built our iconic brand. We’re 120 years old but we feel like we’re just getting started.” </p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In 2012, one of the influential changes for Sunkist was the formation of a Joint Venture to enhance the company’s juice business. Hanlin, noted, “Developing the JV with juice processor Ventura Coastal has resulted in better pricing and created efficiencies.”</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>In addition, the company launched an annual dividend program for its growers. Moving ahead, Sunkist is focusing on broadening its portfolio of consumer products with additions that include newer varieties consumers favor. Innovations in packaging and retail display support have also been customer-driven. Sunkist’s full range of cartons, bags, display masters, bin and RPCs are designed with the customer's needs in mind. Vibrant 3 and 5 pound giro bags offer consumer convenience at a popular price point which translates to volume sales to the customer; visually-appealing pouch bags help new products shine; 10 pound cartons themed for special consumer activities spark excitement in stores; and secondary displays provide additional retail shelf space and allow retailers to conveniently tie-in fresh citrus sales as complementary items in the fresh seafood, frozen, and beverage departments.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p>Sunkist also works with their valued customers to create customer-specific marketing programs while providing creative marketing and promotional support to retail and foodservice customers. Sunkist also communicates with chefs, consumers and the trade worldwide.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">“Sunkist at its core is a cooperative of family farms. Our culture is one of family and collaboration with growers and most definitely customers to drive the desired results for all. I have no doubt that the positive performance we are experiencing today is due to a renewed focus on delivering value to our key customers,” said Sunkist’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kevin Fiori. “If we have learned anything from the past it is that success is a process not a destination. We must never stop listening, planning, measuring, innovating and evolving. In our 120th year, Sunkist remains the most recognized name in the citrus category and we are optimistic about the future.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href=" http://www.sunkist.com/products/default.aspx" target="_new"> Sunkist </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
