US-based Seald Sweet International has announced in a press release the launch of a tropical fruit division in response to the company’s continued growth strategies and expansion.
The division will bring new depth and diversity to Seald Sweet’s fresh fruit supply base, adding to the group’s portfolio products including pineapples, plantains, mangoes and avocados, among other items.
“We are thrilled about this addition to our company for a number of reasons,” said Mayda Sotomayor, CEO of Seald Sweet, in the news statement.
“Firstly, expansion into this category has been an important goal of ours and part of our strategic plan,” she explained.
Ms Sotomayor said the move into tropicals will complement Seald Sweet’s core business, which has traditionally focused on fresh citrus.
The growth will also enable the company to better serve its customers by meeting their growing needs, especially in view of the rising ethnic diversity in the US.
“This also strengthens synergies within the Univeg group by integrating our existing production and supply network as a direct connection to the field. This emphasizes our value as a supplier and supports our group’s vision,” Ms Sotomayor noted.
The expansion also brings seasoned experience to Seald Sweet’s north-eastern US operations in the form of Kevin Manning and Jeff Krafft.
The former principals of Dulce Fresh and veteran tropical commodity managers are joining Seald Sweet; bringing a combined 35 years of experience primarily in imported tropical fruits.
As a result, Dulce Fresh, a produce sales and import company, which specialised in tropicals, announced it has ceased operations as of 1 March 2011.
“We are very excited to have Kevin and Jeff as part of our team, spearheading this new division,” Ms Sotomayor continued.
“The wealth of specialized experience they bring gives us an advantage in the development of this program.”
Steve Tursi, Seald Sweet’s vice-president of business development, will be in charge of the new division overall.
The expansion has the potential to benefit the Univeg group globally, allowing supply chains and market access to grow and be more diversified, further advancing opportunities in North America, Europe and other locations around the world.
Univeg, Seald Sweet’s Belgium-based parent company, is one of the top five largest fresh produce companies worldwide.
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