Stemilt Growers, one of Washington State’s leading top-fruit growers and packers, has opened a state-of-the-art pear facility in Wenatchee.
The facility features two commit-to-pack lines, a post-harvest pear ripening centre, and a network of cold storage rooms.
Stemilt marketing director Roger Pepperl, said the new pear lines will increase efficiency and flexibility. “We now have a one-stop shop for pears,” he said. “Not only have our packing, ripening and storing facilities become centralised, but we also have the ability to run multiple varieties at one time, including organic and conventional fruit.”
Both packing lines have increased sorting capacity, longer brush beds to extend cleaning power and a new digital sorting system that accurately sorts and sizes fruit. In addition, the company created a comfortable, people-friendly interior for the building.
New floors, catwalks, lighting system and dust-resistant ceiling will all serve to increase efficiencies, as well as brighten up the interior of the building to create a quality work environment.
Stemilt began construction on the Miller Street facility in January and the upgrades were completed according to plan and in time for Bartlett harvest, which began on August 15.
The post-harvest ripening centre, which is formally called RipeRite, was developed five years ago in order to provide consumers with ready-to-eat pears. Pepperl.said: “The RipeRite program brings a much-needed level of consistency to the pear category. Consumers no longer have to wait for their pears to ripen because they are ready to enjoy right after purchase.”
In 2007, Stemilt teamed up with Peshastin Hi-Up Growers, of Peshastin, Washington, to become one of the largest shippers of premium pears in North America. This will be the most exciting season yet for Stemilt pears, said Pepperl. “The new facility and existing partnership with Hi-Up gives us a better capacity and more flexibility than anyone else in the business,” he said. “With our increasing supply of organics and array of classic and specialty varieties, we look forward to continuing our leadership in pears for years to come.”
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