Mission Produce Kicks Off 2013 with International Expansion Plans

Oxnard, CA-

Mission Produce, is getting 2013 started with the announcement of expansion plans for its Toronto Ripe Center along with the purchase of a new packing facility in Mexico. The company will be bulking up its Toronto facility from 6,000 to over 28,000 square feet and is doubling ripening capabilities from 72 to 144 pallet spaces, according to a press release. In addition, the cooling storage is increasing to over 400 pallet spaces.

The Toronto Center houses similar high-tech equipment and ripening rooms found in the company's other facilities. Mission staffs its own personnel to run the operation which services all of eastern Canada. The space for the facility in Toronto is being leased from Ippolito Group which handles the Canadian distribution of product.

Three years ago, Mission expanded into Canada and has found success with their exclusive ripe program and the distribution center. Process Improvement Manager, Jake Nixon said, “We came to a point where we needed more space to serve our existing customers and to continue to grow the Canadian business.”

VP of Sales, Ross Wileman added, “We now have the opportunity to ensure our customer’s growth needs. These regional, high-tech facilities ripen fruit, maximize just-in-time delivery, reduce customer inventory management and enhance transportation efficiency. Mission customers are ensured a consistent flow of fresh products on an as needed basis.”

The company has also has opened a new packing house near Zamora, Michoacán, Mexico, called Mission La Cantera. The new packing house opens up access to growing regions that were at an inconvenient distance from the Mission de Mexico packing facility in Uruapan. It also provides support for the growing regions in Jalisco. The new facility in Mexico allows Mission Sourcing to keep up with the continually increasing demand, distribution and sales.

The Zamora facility has the ability to pack nearly 300 pallets per day. The current plant has 28,000 square feet which Mission will expand to more than double the size. Existing cold storage of 100 pallets will increase to more than 500 pallets. Inside the facility is a new CIU sizer and Mission will add bagging capabilities to in the Spring of this year. With the purchase of the facility, the company can increase production capabilities in Mexico and optimize sourcing and transportation efficiencies with a closer proximity to local avocados.

Mission Produce