In May 2003 Stemilt purchased a former Dole Fruit Co. tree fruit packing facility near Chelan Falls, just north of Stemilt’s headquarters in Wenatchee, Washington. The facility was chosen to serve as an all-organics plant.
The factory is dedicated to handling organic tree fruits and has strengthened the organic programme at Stemilt, as well as bolstering service to the company’s organic customers.
The facility underwent a complete overhaul so it could strictly handle Stemilt organics. The company invested almost $2 million in the improvements and Stemilt’s organic specialist Matthew Jarmin says the company and its customers are now enjoying the fruits of their labour.
Jarmin explains: “When there was a lot of pressure to put fruit in the box on conventional produce, the organics side of the business often got squeezed, but now we can fill orders as soon as they come in.”
By being able to pack the organic fruit to order, Stemilt has seen that there are much fewer delays and at the same time the company is saving resources, as well as improving service and providing a fresher product to the customer. Jarmin says: “The dedicated plant has reinforced buyers’ confidence in our organic offer. Customers have fewer concerns over pesticide residues and cross-contamination. And with the product located in a single location, orders are easier to fill and trucks stop in fewer locations to load.”
The purchase of the facility reflects Stemilt’s confidence in the future growth of organics which currently comprises 10 per cent of the company’s raw product, according to Stemilt export sales manager Dave Martin.
Martin believes the key to increasing future sales in the UK will be the company’s ability to provide good fruit quality and steady supplies. He says: “We have been very happy with the increasing amount of organic apple, pear and cherry business in the UK market. Our customers have been very receptive to our efforts to grow, pack and sell top-quality organic fruits in this highly competitive market.”
Stemilt organic plant manager Joe Baity said the company is ready to meet the future demand for organic tree fruit. He says: “A commit-to-pack line has been scheduled for installation this year. It will accommodate pears and fragile varieties that bruise easily on a pre-size line. The new line also enables Stemilt to provide fruit in consumer packs. In addition, an organic cherry line will be up and running in June.
Martin says that the organic cherry line will be crucial to the growth of Stemilt’s organic cherry programme. “We are especially eager to increase the amount of organic cherries shipped to the UK this season. We have a fantastic product and enough supply to make a noticeable impact on the cherry market.”
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