Top Brass Produce's April Myers Tells How Vertical Integration Promises Company's Quality Commitment

BAKERSFIELD, CA - Buzzwords certainly have their place in gaining traction, but it is crucial that the practices defining the terms carry their weight. In the case of Top Brass Produce, vertical integration is much more than a turn of phrase.

“‘Vertical integration’ has become one of those business terms that's used frequently across the produce industry. But at Top Brass Produce, it isn't a marketing phrase; it's how we've operated for four generations,” says President of Sales, April Myers.

Since 1938, the Vignolo family has believed that the best way to deliver premium produce is to remain responsible for every step of the process.

“Today, that philosophy means we oversee the entire journey from growing and harvesting to cooling, storage, shipping and sales, all within one integrated operation,” April shares.

Because, she explains, quality doesn't begin when grapes arrive at a packing facility—it begins months earlier in the vineyard. Every decision made throughout the growing season, from irrigation and canopy management to harvest timing and post-harvest handling, has a direct impact on the eating experience consumers have when they purchase Top Brass table grapes or organic potatoes.

“By maintaining a vertically integrated operation, we don't lose visibility as our fruits or vegetables move through the supply chain. Our experienced farming, harvest, cooling, storage, and sales teams operate with the same objective: delivering premium produce that consistently meets our long-held standards,” April explains.

For retail partners, that translates into something even more valuable than operational efficiency: confidence.

“When questions arise about crop development, harvest timing, or availability, we're communicating firsthand knowledge rather than relying on information passed through multiple organizations,” April states. “Decisions can be made faster, communication is clearer, and accountability remains with one company from beginning to end.”

That level of control also allows the company to continue investing in the future. Whether it's expanding cold storage and packing capacity, implementing new technology, strengthening food safety programs, or advancing sustainability initiatives like solar energy, drip irrigation, and recycling, every investment is designed to improve the quality and consistency of the products delivered.

“Today's consumers have higher expectations than ever before. They expect grapes with exceptional flavor, crisp texture, and consistent quality every time they shop,” April points out. “Meeting those expectations requires more than sourcing great fruit; it requires ownership of the entire process. That's what vertical integration means to us.”

It isn't about controlling more of the supply chain for the sake of control, April says. It's about taking responsibility for every step that influences quality.

After nearly 90 years of farming in California, Top Brass has learned retailers aren't simply looking for another grape supplier. They're seeking a trustworthy partner who understands the crop from having grown, harvested, packed, and delivered it firsthand.

Exactly what vertical integration allows Top Brass Produce to do.