ROCHESTER, NY – There are some shakeups coming to the leadership of Wegmans Food Markets, with the chain is keeping with its traditional family run set-up. As Danny Wegman transitions to Chairman of the company, his daughter, Colleen Wegman will take up his role of CEO.
“I will continue in my role, but now as Chairman of the company,” said Danny Wegman, who was first named President of the company in 1976. “The time has come to create a structure for the future that will allow us to remain strong, vibrant and family-owned. I have no doubt that our company will be in good hands.”
Colleen will now act as the fourth-generation CEO of Wegmans moving forward, in addition to her current role as President. Colleen first joined the Wegmans legacy in 1991. According to a press release, she was named President of the company in 2005 by her grandfather, the late Robert B. Wegman, who simultaneously appointed her father as CEO from President. Colleen’s younger sister, Nicole, is currently Senior Vice President at the company.
The Buffalo News reported that in her previous roles with Wegmans, Colleen was integral to the development of the chain’s Nature’s Marketplace concept. Helping to differentiate the banner, the store-within-a-store concept grouped healthy, natural, and specialty foods in one place.
Colleen graduated from the University of Colorado with a Sociology degree. According to the Democrat and Chronicle, she later earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Rochester. She also has gained experience from time serving as Chairman of the United Way of Greater Rochester’s Board of Directors.
As Wegmans continues to expand its footprint, stick with AndNowUKnow for all the latest in buy-side executive shakeups and announcements.
IDAHO FALLS, ID - Expand, expand, expand. That’s one word that kept coming up during my interview with Kingston Fresh V.P. of Business Development Nick Proia. The produce expert joins me to pull back the curtain on what the company has in store for the rest of 2017.
“The Kingston Fryer program, which we started several years ago, continues to expand. We’ve added several new sizes—pretty much any size a customer would ask for,” Nick explains to me as we talk about the company’s unique potato program, adding that this could mean anything from a 110 count, to a 10 oz and up #2.
Also touching on the company’s popular California onion season and combatting some undulating weather conditions, as well as Kingston Fresh’s Sugar Pine Pineapples, Nick was happy to report that all is looking well for the company’s increasingly larger programs.
“We bring our pineapples into multiple ports in the U.S.—we have four FOB points and cold storages that we work from,” Nick explains. “That continues to expand, and we are very pleased with the performance this year.”
Want to learn even more about these three major programs in Kingston Fresh’s repertoire? Watch my full interview with Nick Proia above.
MORGAN HILL, CA – This year marks a special one for Sakata Seed America. The company will be celebrating 40 years in North America throughout the year, with a host of special announcements to herald the milestone. Sakata has unveiled a new logo and slogan, with new products to follow in commemoration of this achievement.
“To pay tribute to this anniversary year, we’ve developed a new logo and slogan to illustrate our company’s history and vision for the future–but, that’s not the only way we’re recognizing this milestone,” stated Alecia Troy, Senior Marketing Manager. ”Throughout the year we’ll be celebrating our anniversary by giving back to the employees, customers, industry, and community that got us to this point. This accomplishment is only made possible by many positive elements and we want to recognize and share that story all year long!”
The company will kick off its first celebration of the year at California Spring Trials. According to a press release, visitors will be endowed with the 40th anniversary theme as soon as they arrive. Attendees will also be treated to a lineup of new introductions to the company, including its AAS Winner and Fleuroselect Gold Medal awarded Profusion Red zinnia.
“Profusion Red is a homerun! And the best thing is that seed is available now, so growers and retailers don’t have to wait another year to offer Profusion Red. To order seed, growers should contact their preferred supplier now,” said Carla Bawdon, Sakata Ornamentals Customer Service Manager.
As we continue to move through 2017, Sakata also plans to highlight its new dwarf snapdragon series, Candy Tops, and two stunning new SuperCal® petunia colors, Buttercream and Red Crimson.
“We are excited to display our new introductions and New Variety Brochure at Spring Trials this year. We feel this year’s line-up tells a great story about Sakata and the work and progress that has gone into our past forty years. This collection represents an important milestone in our company’s history, and we can’t wait for the industry to see it,” continued Troy.
Interested in attending the California Spring Trials to learn more about Sakata’s exciting plans? RSVP here. The event runs from Saturday, April 1st, to Wednesday, April 5th.
Congratulations to Sakata on 40 years done well, and here's to the next!
SOUTH SURREY, B.C. - When it comes to snacking, you cannot find a better locale at retail, or a wider range of healthy delicious options, than what you find in the fresh produce department–at least in my opinion. One of those growing areas in snacking is at the intersection of greenhouse tomatoes and flavor innovation.
Bringing the “wow” experience to the consumer, as BC Hot House President Colin Chapdelaine calls it, the company’s Sweet Gems Tomato Medley pack is growing in popularity and availability.
“The snacking segment continues to grow in the greenhouse category. We offer a range of great tasting, snackable products like our Sweet Gems,” Colin shares with me, adding that at BC Hot House the company is focused on providing retail partners with innovative products that keep customers coming back again and again. “Too often, the focus is on yield and not on flavor. We focus on flavor first! Retailers want versatility and diversity in their tomato spread, and we are looking to respond to that desire and need.”
Sweet Gems are bright and colorful, with a range of flavors, shapes, and textures for the consumer palate. Extensive trials are completed for each variety and are hand-selected for multiple characteristics.
The BC Hot House team has a vision to provide an incredible eating experience while bringing “BIG TASTE,” to consumers. Colin hopes that this company tagline will help the team raise the bar on flavor, while communicating BC Hot House’s commitment to the consumer and its retail partners.
“Demand across the board has motivated us to continue increasing acreage to meet the consumer’s desire for these unique offerings,” Colin adds. “Each tomato grows well, holds up well, and travels well for a better overall product. Whether tomato-lovers use this great snacking pack as an on the go healthy eating option, or tossed on a salad or in a sauce—we are aiming to please with the possibilities of this program and our passion as a boutique greenhouse produce company.”
Grown in Vancouver, British Columbia from April through November, Sweet Gems are available in a pint/551ml clamshell to retailers across Western Canada and the U.S.
AUSTRALIA – Cyclone Debbie officially made landfall on Australian soil mid-Tuesday, local time. Entering as a Category 4 cyclone, the severe tropical storm left behind structural damage to the regions within Queensland, Australia.
As the storm washed ashore, the Bureau of Meteorology reported rainfall totals of 39.37 inches in some areas, with some regions gaining over 25 inches in just 24 hours. The storm moved ashore with winds up to 160 miles an hour, but weakened as it moved inland. By Wednesday morning, authorities downgraded the system to a tropical low.
Northeastern Australia and its outlying islands that were affected by the storm have suffered significant structural damage to its buildings. The Courier Mail also reported flooding and some damage to roads, with transportation delayed. Authorities are moving to provide citizens and businesses with power, food, fuel, and more.
Heavy rainfall and flooding is still expected into Thursday as the storm moves completely out of the country. Coastal communities from Brisbane to Sydney are expected to feel the after-effects with strong winds and 2-4 inches of rain possible.
#CycloneDebbie making landfall as seen on #Bowen and #Mackay radars. Cyclone eye visible crossing near #AirlieBeach. pic.twitter.com/Oec5APvc75
— BOM Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 28, 2017
Some crops in the region are expected to be lost, though authorities are still assessing the damage. Though the storm moved through primarily Eastern Queensland, the storms immediate reach was felt as far north as Cardwell, and as far south as St. Lawrence.
Some coastal regions and towns are still without power. AccuWeather reported that Queenslands highest wind gust was also recorded during the storm, clocking in at over 160 mph, which also made it the second strongest burst of wind for the country.
EDEN PRAIRE, MN - Those who keep a close eye on this industry’s mergers and acquisitions are probably familiar with the inevitable domino effect. The past few years have been ripe with big retail moves: Albertsons and Safeway, Walmart and Jet, and SpartanNash and Caito, to name a few. Now, according to a report by Bloomberg’s Gillian Tan, SuperValu may be the latest target primed for an acquisition.
Following the company’s December sale of its Save-A-Lot grocery chain to Canadian private equity firm Onex Corp., the company may have just enough capital to both pay down debt and focus on its wholesale-distribution business, Tan writes, adding that analysts now track SuperValu’s fiscal 2018 revenue to grow by as much as $1 billion—more than 10 percent.
However, despite this bright outlook, SuperValu’s shares have generally fallen over the past fiscal year—more than 30 percent, in fact, likely due to increasing retail competition and food price deflation.
As analysts look to the future with SuperValu as a possible acquisition target, many track the company’s shares as gaining more than 50 percent over the next year. And, as Bloomberg puts it, potential merger partners could capitalize on this disconnect.
So, who are some of SuperValu’s possible industry suitors?
One retailer that keeps coming up during discussions is Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash. On the heels of its $218 million Caito Foods acquisition, SpartanNash could potentially make an all-stock transaction at a 50 percent premium—making for an immediately accretive deal, Bloomberg suggests.
Another possible buyer could be United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI). As we’ve been reporting, the company has made several high profile acquisitions as of late, including Haddon House Food Products, Inc., Global Organic/Specialty Source, Inc., Nor-Cal Produce, Inc. and Gourmet Guru, Inc. Bloomberg suggests that UNFI could theoretically take an all-stock merger at a generous premium, which would also boost its earnings.
Will either of these suitors rise to the occasion before SuperValu finds its footing in this retail landscape? AndNowUKnow will continue to update you on the latest industry rumblings.
YUMA, AZ & SALINAS, CA - As this season looks to shake up the usual transition schedule from Arizona to California for a number of categories, Ippolito International’s Dan Canales took the time to talk with me about the current and coming shift.
“With us producing over 40 different commodities, we will have various stages of transition dates in the next couple of weeks,” Dan shares with me. In terms of the major commodities, specifically, he says that Ippolito will begin transitioning most to Salinas directly in the weeks of 4/10 and 4/17.
“We are starting approximately five to ten days later than usual on some items,” he added on the status of Salinas at this point in the season. This, in combination with the product growing ahead of schedule in Yuma, has created a challenge for growers.
“With the product being ready much earlier than scheduled in Yuma, as well as the rains during planting in Salinas, it has created some lighter supplies, if not potential gaps, on some items,” Dan explains, adding that Ippolito is rising to the challenge. “We are doing everything possible to minimize these potential holes, by all means available. Mother Nature is really the one controlling this. We won’t be able to eliminate a gap here and there, but we can do a few things to help minimize the impact.”
Dan says that while there were trials earlier through much of the season, Yuma is seeing some good markets more recently.
Hopefully, as California moves further into spring and Salinas begins turning its wheels, we will soon see a more amiable side of Mother Nature for fresh produce. Keep checking in with AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow the season throughout 2017 and beyond.
YAKIMA, WA - Spring is here, and with it comes the ever-delightful Dave Gleason. Domex Superfresh Growers® Chief Horticulturist has primed and readied himself for the shift in seasons, as the company looks to plant a new orchard with Autumn Glory® apple trees.
“Planting trees is a magical experience,” Gleason passionately explained. “It doesn’t seem like there is any life to the tree; they look like dead sticks. But, with the right care, within a few weeks the trees come to life, growing buds, and then leaves. Within just a few years, we will have full production. It is amazing to turn something lifeless into something everyone wants to eat.”
Superfresh Growers’ trees are grown in a nursery for two years, Gleason shared. Each fall before spring planting, the company digs its trees out of the ground, cleans its roots, and shakes off the dirt. Then, trees are stored in temperature and humidity controlled rooms.
Superfresh Growers’ Autumn Glory trees have been grafted onto a rootstock, with characteristics that will create a smaller, shorter, and more productive tree. According to a press release, this makes the trees ideal for the company’s high-density orchards.
“In the old days, trees would be planted 20 feet apart, in 20 foot rows, and it would take 15 years for trees to grow big enough to produce the same acreage yield that we can now produce in three to four years,” Gleason said. “We now plant about 2,000 trees per acre, two feet apart, with 12 foot spread between each row.”
Much easier on the pickers and pruners who tend to the orchard, these high-density orchards minimize ladder usage because they are easier to reach the fruit by ground or by a platform. By moving rows closer together, around 12 feet apart, the platform can be rolled down slowly, with pickers on either side. Attached with a harness, the pickers are able to safely tend to the trees more efficiently. This also primes the orchard for automated harvesters, which the company says are right around the corner.
Superfresh Growers noted that orchard crew that tagged along with Gleason last week worked both professionally and efficiently, and fluidly attending to the planting tractor and ensuring each tree was planted straight, deep enough, and with the most access to sunlight.
As Superfresh Growers head into Yakima’s April weather conditions, AndNowUKnow will continue to bring the insights of Dave Gleason right to your inbox.
OROVILLE, CA – As California acclimates to one of the wettest winters in our recent history, acting Director for the California Department of Water Resources, Bill Croyle, is vowing a working spillway for the Oroville Reservoir before next winter.
“If I have anything to say about it, we’ll have a spillway to use by Nov. 1,” said Croyle in address to the press, according to SF Gate. “Whether that’s a permanent or temporary structure is still to be determined.”
As we previously reported, the Oroville Dam that protects the reservoir, the second-largest in the state, sustained damage to both spillways as the waterway became the fullest it has been in years.
As for how the department plans to fulfill this promise, Croyle said the strategy would be unveiled if not later this week, then by early next.
The project is an undertaking; Croyle acknowledged in his address that repairing a roughly 3,000-foot-long spillway in just over seven months is a tight timetable to set. However, a memo from engineering consultants on the damage said that a “very significant risk would be incurred if the gated spillway is not operational by Nov. 1.”
While those on the job found that the damaged spillway could not be replaced this year, they determined enough repairs could be made by winter to keep it both safe and functional.
Most recently, dam managers were able to get the overflowing reservoir down to 837 feet above sea level after 10 days of sustained releases. According to the report, California officials consider the 860-foot level Lake Oroville’s maximum capacity to safely absorb snowmelt.
The next step once a plan has been chosen for the repairs is to accept bids for the project in order to select a contractor. When that contractor and the department agree on a final plan, construction can finally begin.
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow this and other key events influencing the industry.
PLEASANTON, CA - If it is status quo, then it isn’t for Edge Sales and Marketing. That is what Founder and President Brad Raffanti tells me as we discuss the evolution of the company in California and beyond. This standard and ideal is only one of the many tenets of a business built on foresight, an innovative approach to sales and marketing, and a tenacious drive for superior results.
As we step into spring and kick off the 2017 trade show season, Edge Sales is celebrating its 15th anniversary as a successful and pioneering broker in the fresh produce industry.
“Our goal, now and always, has been to add significant value to our clients and customers and to ensure everyone involved achieves superior results for our combined businesses,” Brad shares, adding that Edge Sales has done this by offering services that enhance their business, such as Business Management, Retail Merchandising, Analytics, Claims Management and Administrative support–focused exclusively in the produce arena. “We are committed to continually investing in our people and adding any other resources necessary to ensure success for everyone involved.”
Edge Sales has remained at the top of the produce game, not only because of the team’s drive, resourcefulness, and insight, but also because they see themselves as an extension of their client’s strategy, sales, analytical, and administrative teams.
“We also work very hard to be integrated with our retailers and distributors and assist them in any way possible to drive the business,” Executive Vice President, Liz Bunch, tells me, noting that it is imperative that the company services all of its clients and customers with professionalism, dedication, and focus–no matter their size. “It is an on-going process of planning, investment, and change. We are extremely proud of our achievements and how we are positioned in the Northern California Market, as well as the Pacific Northwest.”
Looking back on 15 years of growth, I ask the team what some of those key milestones were that allowed the company to evolve. And it all seems to come back to Edge Sales’ ability to adapt, diversify, and build a culture of passion and value for each individual.
“We have continued to grow and prosper despite a constantly changing environment. Through the years, there have been many changes, whether it has been due to client, manufacturer, or retailer acquisitions, or employees moving to new or different opportunities both internally and externally,” Brad says. “Certainly retailer consolidation has been significant. None has been more impactful on our business than the Albertsons/Safeway acquisition. We feel our attributes of being privately owned, with a tremendous leadership team that continually evaluates our business for our present and future planning, has allowed us to be nimble and make the quick and necessary changes to stay ahead of the curve and our competition.”
And, amazingly enough, all without debt. Brad feels that too many companies fail or can’t achieve optimum growth because they are strapped with debt and can’t make sound investment decisions because of it. Edge Sales is positioned to be ready for any changes and opportunities that may arise at present or in the future.
“A good case in point is post-Safeway centralization,” Liz shares with me. “A significant piece of our business went away. The options were to shrink our company or create other opportunities. We chose the latter.”
Edge Sales hired Jeff Knight, previously Category Director for Safeway, to lead an expansion of its business into the Pacific Northwest, resourcing some of the backstage needs through the company’s Pleasanton team.
“It allowed us to retain our talented current employees and add even more in both markets. This move has proven to be incredibly successful. We now not only have a strong foothold in the Pacific Northwest but also have a totally integrated company that follows all customers in a cohesive and structured model in all markets we serve,” Liz adds. “All of our customers are managed and serviced at the highest level with the same goal of maximizing results. Our employees are passionate, tremendously talented and our company continues to grow and thrive.”
So what is next for Edge Sales as we look to the rest of 2017 and beyond?
Edge Sales’ leadership team continually discusses opportunities for all areas of the business in servicing both their clients and customer partners.
“Ensuring we have talented employees and a sound strategy moving forward that will allow us to invest as needed, will enable us to grow,” Brad comments.
“We never rest on our laurels or feel we can’t get any better. Our main focus is always to first grow our business organically, never taking our eye off our current clients' needs for optimum success. Our clients are part of our family and we treat them as such,” Liz says, echoing the sentiment.
The Edge Sales team is always keeping their eyes wide open, searching for new clients, products, and customer opportunities. Brad shares that the key is to be in a position of strength when an opportunity comes to fruition.
With an actively engaged team, a completely redesigned website, and plans for other media avenues on the horizon, its looks as if this company is primed for another 15 years and beyond, of growth and success.