HOD HASHARON, ISRAEL - Polymer Logistics, a global leader of Retail Ready Packaging and manufacturing of reusable containers, is debuting a fresh look at Wal-Mart locations by introducing its Wood Grain RPC for the grower supplier shipments into Wal-Mart.
After months of store display pilots and feedback from three Wal-Mart Supercenters in the Bentonville, Arkansas area, the company has decided to move forward with the roll-out of Polymer’s newly designed RPC, which continues to create a farm fresh feel.
United Fresh Produce has praised the RPC, saying, “The Polymer Wood effect RPC was voted within the 40 new product award finalists under the best packaging category.”
During the customer surveys conducted at Wal-Mart, the results showed a great preference for the “fresh look” in the Wood Grain crates, “creating an inviting, soft look, compared to the current black RPC’s.”
On the various tests recently conducted by Polymer Logistics at the European market stores, feedback from consumers was excellent, according to a press release. Switching the store set up to the new Polymer Logistics Wood Grain crates in these test stores delivered a 3 to 6% increase to produce sales.
“Therefore, we believe this exciting change will benefit the growers, retailers, and consumers,” said Susie Cuevas, Polymer Logistics Director of Sales.
The company says it is looking forward to an exciting partnership with Wal-Mart while maintaining an industry shared vision to provide safe environment-friendly, and display ready containers for continued improvements throughout the supply chain.
BENTONVILLE, AR - Wal-Mart has been increasing the pressure on its suppliers in an effort to cut the costs of its products. The retailer seeks to regain its position as the leader in low-prices and turn around its poorer-than-average U.S. sales.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Wal-Mart has been telling suppliers to forgo investments in joint marketing with the retailer and sell at lower prices instead. Suppliers of all kinds typically set aside a substantial portion of their budgets for in-store displays and online advertisements with Wal-Mart.
Wal-Mart has previously had a reputation for pressuring suppliers to cut costs to help lower prices, but the retailer’s new leadership has been especially vigorous with this practice. According to The Wall Street Journal, Wal-Mart’s price advantage against its competitors has been eroding, and the company has been losing market share in the U.S. since the recession ended. Rivals like Kroger and Costco have been gaining share, according to data from the consultancy group Kantar Retail.
While lowering prices by lowering marketing costs may help Wal-Mart draw more customers, it gives suppliers less control over how products are displayed or promoted, and less ability to differentiate themselves amongst rivals.
Chief Executive Doug McMillon and U.S. Head Greg Foran have implemented this strategy to turn around Wal-Mart’s core domestic business, which booked $288 billion in sales in the year ended Jan. 31, 60% of the company’s total, according to The Wall Street Journal. While U.S. sales were up 3% last year, the growth was a scant 0.5% excluding newly opened stores, and the division’s profit fell.
Foran and McMillon laid out the pricing message during a private meeting with suppliers in February. They want suppliers to operate with the same everyday low-cost model that Wal-Mart employs from top to bottom, The Wall Street Journal reports.
“We want to get back to a point where we are playing offense with price because of the way we go to market,” McMillon said, according to a transcript. “Our pricing strategy is aimed at one objective, and that is building trust.”
The effort to get suppliers to reallocate the marketing investments reinforces the company’s long-standing business strategy to keep costs low, said Deisha Barnett, a Wal-Mart spokeswoman. “It’s a proven business model that works,” she said. “We think the smart investment is to put the dollars into price.”
Wal-Mart’s U.S. division is in the process of a turnaround, having just posted two straight quarters of positive same-store sales after a long slowdown. Executives at the retailer have attributed part of the increase to falling gasoline prices, which have led some shoppers to spend more and to make the longer drive to the stores.
VERO BEACH, FL - With plans in the works to build upon its growth strategies in the North American market, Seald Sweet International has announced that its deciduous commodity division will be a focus for expansion.
Through considerable financial investments and long-term commitments, the company plans to boost its Mexican grape program’s production, particularly in the Hermosillo and Caborca regions.
“We are thrilled about this additional product supply for a number of reasons,” Mayda Sotomayor-Kirk, CEO of Seald Sweet, said in a press release. “Continued development and growth of this category has been an important part of our strategic plan. This enables our company to better serve our customers by meeting their needs in the grape category.”
According to the company, Seald Sweet’s producers in these particular southern regions commit to the company’s stance on social responsibility, and as a result are dedicated to maintaining respectable and fair labor standards with their labor workers. This concept is in line with the company’s overall vision, as is the expansion of its current supply of fresh table grapes, which Seald Sweet feels will further strengthen its position in the industry and deciduous categories.
“We are making long-term commitments to growing these programs with our customers, by delivering fresh, quality grapes, in promotional volumes, from the very beginning of the Mexican harvest, all the way to the end,” Mark Lewis, Executive Vice President of Seald Sweet, said in the release. “It’s a great program and we are excited for this growth!”
The goal of Seald Sweet and parent company UNIVEG, according to Sotomayor-Kirk, is to continue to develop product access and ties in North America, while also complementing its built-in global network with the UNIVEG Group. Seald Sweet is the gateway to the North American markets for the UNIVEG Group, and as a result feels very privileged to have these opportunities.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Vision Produce is adding another item to its extensive list of "grower direct" deals with an exclusive Mid-April shade house Cucumber program out of Caborca, Mexico. In a collaboration with the Agricola Los Chacuales partner of growers, the program will be available starting the second week of April through June and be marketed under the La Visiõn label.
John Caldwell, V.P of Sales Arizona said, "We are excited to develop another partnership in Caborca with Agricola La Chacuales and continue our growth in the region. They are a socially responsible company that offers a safe work environment, competitive wages, supports non-profit endeavors and a family orientated culture. In addition, their operation is state of the art and maintains Primus Certification."
This is the second item that Vision is developing in the Corborca growing region by partnering with Agricola Los Chacuales, according to a press release.
"Vision Produce values results but also value the strong future potential in its partners. There is an investment in people that the company is devoted to and that we don’t come by every day. This is a stronger partnership due to their vision. We see this and reciprocate," Ricardo Araiza, one of the Los Chacuales’ team members.
This relationship has led Vision Produce and its growers to explore new markets together. In 2015, this new cucumber venture seeks to enhance Vision Produce’s ability to add greater value to its U.S. customers and attain future expansion in Mexico and the United States.
HOUSTON, TX - Sysco Corporation has announced that Chief Financial Officer Chris Kreidler plans to step down later this year. The company has named company veteran and Chief Accounting Officer Joel T. Grade as his successor.
The company stated in a press release that Chris Kreidler's decision to leave the company was in order to relocate to the Northeast and spend more time with his family. Kreidler will remain CFO through August 31, 2015, and will work closely with Grade and others in Sysco's senior executive team to ensure an orderly transition. Kreidler has also agreed to stay with the company through December as a company advisor.
"Chris was the first senior executive I hired upon becoming CEO in 2009, and we are indebted to him for his many contributions and tireless efforts on behalf of Sysco," said Bill DeLaney, Sysco's President and Chief Executive Officer. "His strong leadership in capital markets, long-term planning, mergers and acquisitions, and integration planning for the US Foods merger are areas where Chris has made a significant and long-term impact on our company. We respect Chris' thoughtful and personal decision to step down, and wish Chris and his family all the best for their future."
Grade has served as Sysco's Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer since early 2014 with responsibility for field finance, commercial finance, financial planning and analysis, financial reporting, and shared services accounting.
He began his career at Sysco as a Staff Auditor in 1996 and has since held a variety of senior finance and commercial roles, including Chief Financial Officer of Sysco Chicago in 2002 followed by Chief Financial Officer of Sysco Canada in 2007. He was later promoted to President of Sysco Canada in 2010 and then became Senior Vice President of Foodservice Operations, north region and Canada in 2012.
Grade earned an undergraduate degree in Accounting and Finance with a specialization in International Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993 and an MBA in Finance, Strategy and Marketing from Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management in 2007.
"As a veteran Sysco leader with nearly 20 years of experience in key finance and commercial roles, Joel is uniquely suited to step into the CFO position," DeLaney said. "His deep knowledge of our local operations and people, combined with his more recent service at the corporate level, give him a well-rounded view of how to better serve our customers. We are fortunate to have a leader like Joel ready to take on this key position and I look forward to working closely with him in his new role as we move forward.”
The change comes as Sysco tries to close its deal for US Foods. The Wall Street Journal reports that the pending merger of the two largest food distributors in the U.S. faces an antitrust hearing set for May. The Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust lawsuit alleges the planned merger will lead to higher prices and reduced services for both national and local customers.
MONTREAL, QC - What baseball and apple pie is to Americans, hockey is to Canada. In a country that includes such widely diverse regions, demographics, and cultures, the much-revered sport has become a powerful, unifying force.
That’s why nothing is more fitting to bring the country’s retailers and the produce industry’s finest together than CPMA’s “Half Your Plate” Hockey Classic.
This inaugural hockey event will take place at Concordia University in Montréal as part of this year’s CPMA events, with the goal of bringing awareness and excitement to the “Half Your Plate” message of healthy eating. And with the inclusion of athleticism, quintessential Canadiana, and friendly rivalry to the CPMA, it’s also the ideal way for Canadians in the produce industry to practice what they preach!
In the spirit of the “Half Your Plate” campaign, the idea is to show how easy and fun it is to be healthy – this game is not just for hockey fanatics who play on a regular basis. In fact, anyone who can stand up on skates and knows the difference between a puck and a water bottle is invited to join! Each team must include at least one female player, and general irreverence is encouraged.
The 2015 event is being brought to the ice with the support of retailers like Sobeys, Metro, Longo’s, and Federated Co-operatives, along with the sponsorship of additional industry partners like Canadawide Fruits, IFCO, organicgirl, Keenan Farms and Mike & Mike’s Organics.
How It Works:
For each year of the Hockey Classic, one team will be composed of the hosting association’s finest, and the opposing team will be made up of CPMA participants all across Canada. All players receive a commemorative team jersey and the winning team gets a trophy, and even more importantly: an entire year’s worth of bragging rights! This year, the hosting association is the Quebec Produce Marketing Association (QPMA), with the challenge going out to Calgary for 2016.
According to a press release, for a player to be eligible, he/she must be employed by a company that is a member in good standing with the CPMA (and the regional association) and preferably be Canadian. All sectors of the produce industry can get out there and chase the puck in support of “Half Your Plate”.
The organization tells me they still have space for anyone wishing to play and have already started the ‘trash talking’ to add the element of camaraderie to the event.
The puck will drop at 5:30pm on April 15, 2015 at Concordia University, Loyola Campus RA (Athletic Complex), 7200 Sherbrooke St. West, Montréal.
And remember: spectators are welcome - the more boisterous the audience, the better!
Team Member positions are also still available! For more information contact Todd Patterson at [email protected].
SANTA PAULA, CA - Limoneira is setting out to prove that misfits are just Mother Nature’s way of specializing produce with the introduction of its Lemon Misfits™ line.
“These lemons are packed with juice and perfect to increase our grocery retail partner’s sales with a customer-friendly price point,” John Carter, Director of Global Sales for Limoneira, said in a press release.
Available in a variety of sizes and packaging/pallet configurations, Carter explained that the name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the light scarring the lemons got from being wind-blown while growing in the orchards. “We’re playing on this fact by identifying them as orchard outcasts with great personalities. After all, we all know that beauty is only skin deep.”
Having its own orchards to collect these cosmetic outcasts from gives the company an advantage on what they can offer to the consumer, according to Limoneira Senior Vice President Alex Teague.
“As the largest vertically integrated lemon provider in the U.S, we have the ability to create programs for our customers more easily than others,” Teague said. “Having our own orchards and packing facilities is a huge plus.”
The company is encouraging consumers to juice up with the Lemon Misfits™, calling them “juice-approved by Mother Nature.” According to the release, ideal Misfits™ Madness Recipes will be featured on the company website, as well as by Limoneira’s global opinion leader network and social media bloggers, and the line of Lemon Misfits™ point of sale materials can already be ordered by retailers for in-store distribution.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Driscoll’s Chairman and current CEO J. Miles Reiter has announced that Kevin Murphy, the company’s current President and COO, will assume the CEO role effective April 1, 2015.
“Given our intention to become the world's berry company, we are very fortunate to have a leader of Kevin's caliber,” said J. Miles Reiter. “In his time at Driscoll's and throughout his career, Kevin has demonstrated the ability to draw people together in the pursuit of shared goals.
As we’ve previously reported in our sister publication, The Snack, Kevin was born and raised in South Africa, and earned his undergraduate degree in agricultural economics from the University of Natal before arriving in the United States in 1989. Soon afterward, he began working for FreshCo, which later become known as Fresh Express, for a little over a decade in various strategic capacities before moving on to Capurro Farms. Kevin remembers his days at Fresh Express fondly, noting that those years were what helped shape who he is at Driscoll’s today. “The reason I’m here is because of everything I learned in those days,” he said.
With more than 20 years of business and agriculture experience, Murphy joined Driscoll’s in 2008. Reiter has worked in several positions for Driscoll’s, first heading supply and operations for North America and then being promoted to serve as President of the Americas business unit. In late 2013, Murphy was promoted to his most recent role of President and COO for the company, according to a press release.
During his 15-year tenure as CEO, Reiter has led Driscoll’s in advancing key strategic initiatives that have laid the foundation for Driscoll’s global growth. These include the company’s mission and focus on delighting berry consumers, its values-based organizational philosophy, and vision to guide Driscoll’s expansion in markets around the world.
“I am incredibly honored to be given the opportunity to be Driscoll’s next CEO,” said Kevin Murphy. “Under the CEO leadership of Miles, the company has grown tremendously over the last fifteen years. My goal is to continue shaping our path forward and to focus on guiding the vision, mission and values that are the foundation to our company. I look forward to building an even more exciting future for the next generation of stakeholders.”
As a fourth generation grower and the grandson of one of Driscoll’s founders, this announcement poises Driscoll’s to ensure the company’s future global brand expansion. Reiter will retain his role as Chairman of the Board, a position he has held since 1988.
J. Miles Reiter continued, “At the core of Driscoll’s mission is a dedication to delighting consumers with the most delicious berries. We seek to bring an extra measure of joy into consumers’ lives and into the lives of everyone we touch."
Reiter continued that Driscoll's both believes in and supports Kevin’s ability to create a future of which the company can be very proud.
KINGSVILLE, ON - SUNSET® is teaming up with Food Network star and celebrity chef Roger Mooking to put a new twist on flavor. The fruitful partnership will bring forth new recipes, blogs, and inspiration by combining the fresh flavor of SUNSET®
produce with Roger’s taste for the unexpected.
"Chef Mooking is an incredibly talented person," said SUNSET® CEO Paul Mastronardi. "We were instantly inspired by how he combines simple flavors to create spectacular dishes."
Known for his globally inspired culinary traditions, Mooking has become a force in the culinary world, taking ordinary dishes and elevating them with different cultural twists. The Trinidad-born chef, who now resides in Canada, hosts both the Cooking Channel series Man Fire Food, Heat Seekers and Everyday Exotic of which he is also co-creator.
Chef Mooking is also a recurring judge on Food Network’s popular Chopped series and is a resident culinary expert on The Marilyn Denis Show. In addition, he penned the award-winning Everyday Exotic: The Cookbook, recently opened his own Toronto-based restaurant, Twist by Roger Mooking, and, to top it all off, is a nationally acclaimed Juno Award-Winning recording artist.
"Our shared passions extend far beyond flavor," continued Mastronardi, an avid music fan. "Chef Mooking has a zest for life that we’re truly grateful for and excited to be a part of." The feeling toward this culinary partnership is certainly mutual.
According to a press release, Mooking will be creating a series of signature recipes, penning a blog, and sharing helpful culinary tips for SUNSET® flavor lovers.
"It feels great to be working with such a motivated and forward thinking team at SUNSET®. Their vision and long-standing dedication to greatness gives me all the inspiration I need to go wild in the kitchen with their incredible produce," said Chef Mooking. "It’s the passion that oozes from Paul Mastronardi and every member of the team that sealed the deal. I’ve met some kindred spirits and am looking forward to a long relationship with SUNSET®."
For a sneak peek of what’s to come from the collaboration, visit SUNSET's website for Chef Mooking here.
IRVINE, CA - As we have previously reported, small grocery chain Haggen is no longer very small since acquiring several Albertsons stores. The desire to press the growth spurt has pushed the company to declare a "100 stores in 100" days rapid conversion, to which they have finally unveiled the exact locations.
The former Albertsons locations soon to become full-service Haggen grocery stores by the end of April are:
- Bakersfield (3)
- Rancho Cucamonga
- Upland
- Atascadero
- San Luis Obispo (2)
- Arroyo Grande
- Lompoc
- Ventura
- Santa Barbara (2)
- Oxnard
- Westlake Village
- Redondo Beach
- Thousand Oaks
- Simi Valley (2)
- Camarillo
- Torrance
- San Pedro
- Los Angeles (2)
- Lomita
- Burbank
The expanding company’s new purchase and conversion plan for the month also includes several Vons stores in:
- Rancho Mirage
- Palm Desert
- Chino Hills
- Paso Robles
- Los Osos
- Goleta (2)
- Newbury Park
- Carpinteria
- Saugus
- Woodland Hills
- Santa Clarita
All in all it looks to be a very active month for the budding industry retailer. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to bring you the latest on this developing story.