OXNARD, CA – Mission Produce Inc. has hired Brian Miller as the company’s new Senior Vice President of Sales & Marketing.
Brian has an extensive industry background, which includes the last 15 years where he served as President and CEO of Gourmet Trading Company.
Brian will be filling the position that was previously held by Ross Wileman, who is moving into an area where he will lead Mission’s special initiatives, which include food safety, global quality control and standardization from a sales point of view. Wileman has been with the company for 31 years.
While at Gourmet Trading, Brian progressed from a position in Sales in 2000, to the Vice President of Sales & Marketing, and then to President and CEO of the company. Prior to Gourmet Trading, he was a salesman at the Oppenheimer Company.
Mission’s President & CEO, Steve Barnard, said in a press release, “Brian is highly driven and goal oriented. He has South American, Asian and European experience, which will add great value to mission’s future.”
Speaking on Mission’s future, the company is involved with major construction projects in California and Peru where two new packing plants are nearing completion. According to the company, both facilities are state-of-the-art, energy efficient and will be the largest, most modern packing facilities in the world.
Mission is also making connections in Asia and Europe, and plans another Ripe Center in Rotterdam in the very near future.
The company is currently growing its own avocados in Peru, where significant planting has taken place over the last 5 years.
Barnard added, “The avocado category has grown at 10% compounded annually for 15 straight years, and the numbers are even higher this year. With demand for the fruit at all time highs, sourcing and growing is more important than ever. Concerning our Peruvian operations, we have invested heavily into the production of avocados, transportation and logistics. These moves were all essential in addressing the current demand.”
We congratulate Brian on his new role with Mission and look forward to seeing what the company has in store.
PHOENIX, AZ - Sprouts is coming off a strong financial 2014, creating a solid foundation for 2015 to be just as successful, if not more so. With plans to raise 27 new stores this year, seven of which have already been open, CEO Doug Sanders and CFO Amin Maredia were happy to answer the questions of potential investors at this year’s Bank of America Merrill Lynch Consumer and Retail Conference in New York City. Much of the high numbers seen, according to Maredia, is from fresh produce.
"Produce is 25% of our business," Maredia said in the conference webcast.
After coming off a successful financial year where the company experienced 21% top line sales growth, 9.9% comp sales growth, 30% EBITDA growth, and the opening of 24 new stores nationwide, one of the first questions asked, according to a Phoenix Business Journal (PBJ) report, was if Sprouts had any new acquisitions planned for 2015.
"(We'll) continue opening stores organically,” Sanders said, according to the report. “We don't have anything targeted from an acquisition perspective. The two companies we acquired were a lot like Sprouts. It makes more sense today to focus on organic growth."
The company does, however, emphasize a need for a strong community and social media backing to support the organic growth of those newest stores, stating that Sprouts’ new Atlanta location had more than 40,000 Facebook followers before even opening its doors last year.
Overall, executives from about 30 different companies participated in the conference, including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Target Corp. and McDonald's Corp.
"It's a great opportunity for us to reach many investors at one time – both in-person and via the webcast," Donna Egan, a spokeswoman for Sprouts, said in the PBJ report.
The company also announced the launch of 15,847,800 shares of its common stock being offered publicly, according to a press release. The stock is held by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, LLC, who will be the only selling stockholders and will not issue shares in the offering or receive any proceeds from the sale, according to the report.
Overall, the coming year looks to be a strong one for the supermarket retailer.
MCALLEN, TX - Fox Packaging is celebrating this year as the 50th anniversary of the company’s start in servicing fresh produce customers around the globe.
Growing from humble beginnings as a one-man company with used equipment and borrowed space, the work and vision of Founder and CEO, Kenneth Fox, has inspired Fox Packaging to innovate throughout the fresh produce industry. Actively involved in the day-to-day operations of the business, the company says Fox has remained committed to the core values on which he based his business for the past 5 decades.
“Our focus is on delivering timely and helpful solutions to our customers. Whether dealing with a familiar challenge or something new based on today’s consumer trends and supply chain needs, we will dive in and work with our customers to find the right solution for them,” Fox says.
Over the decades the company has earned several global patents in bag design, and today, Fox Packaging is still driven by Fox’s entrepreneurial spirit. Now a family business run by all three sons – Keith, Craig and Aaron – the company is focused on maintaining a culture of invention, according to a press release.
“More than ever, our team realizes just how quickly our industry evolves, and we are actively invested in many areas of product development that we believe will help ultimately increase our customers’ sales,” said Aaron Fox, Vice President.
The company says they are always looking forward to the next wave of change in produce packaging and how it can prepare its customers.
BAKERSFIELD, CA - The opening and opportunity to see Tasteful Selections’ brand new 200,000 square foot facility is almost upon us.
Marketed by RPE, Tasteful Selection’s “Small potatoes. Big opportunities.” campaign promotes the location, while celebratory events and group tours are scheduled to take place at the end of this month.
The potato-packing company’s physical affirmation of its growth amassing over the past five years will kick off with the opportunity to see the new plant that will store, pack, and grade more than 4,000 acres of crops - approximately 8 million pounds of potatoes, according to a press release.
Having experienced continual growth over the past five years, with numbers rising every year, Tasteful Selections is elated for the opportunity to provide jobs to the area with this expansion, anticipating the availability of more than 250 positions with the opening of this facility.
The company considers this new step a demonstration of its commitment to a higher standard of quality and innovation, with cutting-edge technology to improve the sustainability and efficiency of Tasteful Selections’ operations.
The design of the complex honors Cal Green Certification Standards and food safety regulations, includes stainless steel fixtures throughout the facility, enhanced temperature controls, and a redesigned water system that redistributes used water in either the washing process or application in nearby farmland.
The company encourages any interested parties to contact RPE for private tours of the complex.
TORONTO, ON - For one candidate qualified in leadership, your search may end here. The Ontario Produce Marketing Association (OPMA) is looking for someone to become the new Association President.
Heavily involved in food safety, relations with both government and trade, marketing, training, and networking, the OPMA is a non-profit association of over 275 members, both local and international, and growing. The company, based in Ontario, Canada, is heavily engaged in a number of aspects of the produce industry. The new President will be responsible for nurturing its relationships with governments, regulatory bodies, media, and partner associations both nationally and internationally.
Among a number of various responsibilities, the Association President oversees benefit plans, prepares reports and recommendations to the Board of Directors and members, and ensures that the company is structured for maximum effectiveness.
According to the association’s position posting, qualified candidates are confident and compelling public speakers with experience in delivering prepared presentations, as well as taking part in impromptu speaking. Those applying should have a broad perspective and the ability to drive compelling strategies. Confident verbal communication, which may deal with potentially controversial issues from time to time, will also be necessary.
Click here for a detailed description of all responsibilities and qualifications. Anyone interested in the position must submit a resume by Friday, March 6.
WENATCHEE, WA - Following its starring role in this year's $160,000 Oscars consolation basket, Ambrosia Apples is getting some attention of its own. Ambrosia™ has ranked #9 in total dollars among all apple varieties and had the strongest growth of any apple in the top 10 nationally.
Pushed by national promotions and a 25% increase in distribution, Ambrosia™ apples are riding a retail wave all the way to the cash register. Over the past 13 weeks, a record 14,022 supermarkets put Ambrosia™ on the shelves for consumers.
“Ambrosia has broken into a new level,” said Steve Lutz, Vice President of Marketing for CMI. “The biggest challenge for any club variety apple is to make the jump from being a niche item to a year-round item. The sales data show that Ambrosia™ have bridged the gap to becoming a ‘must have’ apple for retailers.”
With a large national crop, apple prices and retail shelf prices have been lower throughout the entire 2014/15 season, according to a press release. Over the most recent 13-week period from November through January, Nielsen scan data shows that total U.S. apple dollars increased less than 1% while volume increased only slightly by 2.3%. In contrast, during this same period Ambrosia™ apple sales skyrocketed and dollars jumped 19%.
"It’s just really gratifying to see consumers and retailers alike discover Ambrosia," continued Lutz. "The sales success speaks for itself."
The increase in Ambrosia™ sales led performance of the top 10 apple varieties during the period. Honeycrisp dollars increased by 15%, followed by Pink Lady (+7%) and Granny Smith (+2%). All other apple varieties in the top 10 declined in year over year sales during the period.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Target Corp. Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell and members of his leadership team recently unveiled new strategies to transform the company.
“Following a thorough, strategic review of our business, coupled with a careful evaluation of the changing retail landscape, we have identified the key initiatives that will put Target on a clear path to growth,” said Cornell.
He added, “We’re focused on our future and building the capabilities that will take us further, faster. Redefining Target will require a renewed emphasis on prioritization and innovation, and above all else, putting our guests first in everything we do.”
To start, the retailer will be revamping its grocery sections for millennials. Target will be focusing on fresh produce, fresh meat, beer and wine, snacks and more to differentiate it from other stores and draw in younger shoppers, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Though these selections won’t be given more shelf space, there will be a renewed push on merchandising.
Fixing grocery, which accounts for about a fifth of Target’s $73 billion annual sales, is a priority for Cornell, and this is not the first grocery push for the company. Target has previously pledged to add more organic, natural and gluten-free foods to its selection.
Cornell is also working to find a new head for its grocery business. According to the WSJ, Target is looking to bring in an executive with grocery experience from elsewhere, and Cornell, whose background includes Pepsi, Safeway and Sam’s Club, will personally be interviewing candidates in the coming weeks.
Another part of the plan is to lay off several thousand employees. According the WSJ, most of these job cuts will come from Target’s Minneapolis headquarters, where it has 13,000 employees.
The retailer expects that over the next two years, it will cut costs by $2 billion. That money will be used to pay for investments in technology, the development of smaller urban stores as well as upgrades to food, apparel and home goods.
Other key initiatives that Target laid out include:
- Taking a channel-agnostic approach to growing its business, driving a total Target experience across stores, online and mobile.
- Style, Baby, Kids and Wellness are being prioritized and will be the merchandise categories Target is know for – the retailer will invest in these areas with a focus on newness and differentiation.
- Grocery is being repositioned to deliver a more compelling and appealing shopping experience.
- Creating a more guest-centric experience by tailoring its assortment and offering more locally relevant products, with demographics, climate, location and other guest-led factors driving merchandising decisions.
- Target’s store opening plans will increasingly focus on new, more flexible formats like TargetExpress and CityTarget, which cater to guests in rapidly-growing, dense urban areas.
“While we’re in the early days and there’s no doubt that transformation can be challenging, we’re taking the steps necessary to unleash the potential of this incredible brand,” said Cornell. “I’m encouraged by our early momentum, and am confident that by implementing our strategy, simplifying how we work, and practicing financial discipline, we will ignite Target’s innovative spirit and deliver sustained growth.”
When Cornell was speaking about early momentum, he was referencing the retailer’s latest financial release where it beat its 2014 forecast with strong sales growth. Target reported 2014 sales of $21.8 billion for the quarter, a 4.1% increase over $20.9 billion last year.
With all of these changes in the works coupled with these financial gains, we will be keeping an eye on Target. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest on this and other retailers across the industry.
ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL – Clear Lam Packaging, Inc., and Frito-Lay, Inc., have settled a lawsuit surrounding Clear Lam’s PrimaPak™ technology.
For the settlement, Frito-Lay has acknowledged that it will respect Clear Lam’s patent rights, according to a Clear Lam press release.
Additionally, both parties can continue to explore additional business opportunities to use Clear Lam’s PrimaPak™ technology. Neither side is disclosing the specific terms of the settlement agreement.
The suit was originally filed in Federal Court in Chicago on September 18, 2014 and the settlement was reached on February 11, 2015.
Clear Lam says that the PrimaPak™ package is the industry’s first-of-its-kind flexible, stackable and reclosable package produced from rollstock on custom vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) equipment.
FISHERS, NY - These next couple of months consumers will find a pink hue in the produce aisles of the state of New York. For the twelfth year in a row the New York Apple Association is promoting the cancer-fighting powers of apples, now by teaming up with the Boheim Foundation to fund pediatric cancer research.
"We're so grateful to the New York apple industry for its continued support of the Jim & Juli Boeheim Foundation and the fight against cancer," Juli Boeheim, Co-Founder of the Boheim Foundation, said according to a New York Apple Country press release.
The NYAA has contributed more than $358,000 to several local charities in the fight to cure cancer, decorating its produce in pink ribbons and reminding the public of the cancer-fighting power of simply eating an apple a day.
“Apples are the original health food, and we would all love to help beat pediatric cancer in our state,” Jim Allen, NYAA President, said in the release. “We are honored to support this worthy cause, and we thank the community-minded retailers who are making this fundraiser possible.”
Participating retailers statewide include C&S Wholesale, Fairway Foods, Gristedes, Key Food, Kings, Krasdale, Market Basket, Mars, Nice & Easy, Olean Wholesale, Price Chopper, ShopRite, Stop & Shop, Tops, Wegmans, Western Beef, and Whole Foods.
RIO RICO, AZ - Brett Burdsal, SunFed’s Director of Marketing, recently spoke with AndNowUKnow about the company’s 20th anniversary and new 60s inspired packaging.
He tells us that SunFed is moving into consumer packaging for 6 count peppers, 2 count eggplant, 1 lb. mini cucumbers and 2 pound cucumbers to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.
With a focus on what consumers are looking for, the company is introducing bright packaging inspired by 60’s Pop Art and the bright and bold colors of the European 30’s and 40’s style.
For a more detailed look at this new packaging, check out our previous article by clicking here.
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