The New England Produce Council 2015 Produce and Floral Expo provides an excellent setting — this year in Cape Cod — for suppliers to meet with their key customers in one location.

Mark Hanks, vice president of sales, marketing and operations, North America, for DNE World Fruit LLC, headquartered in Fort Pierce, FL, agreed. And although the company will not exhibit at this year’s event, being held Sept. 16-18, they will have key staff members there to represent the company.

“DNE’s representatives attending the event will be John Lazopoulos, Morocco and Spain import sales manager, and Tim Cowan, South Africa sales manager,” said Hanks. “Both are looking forward to attending the show to meet with customers and prospective customers.”

A selection of high-quality citrus from DNE World Fruit, including one of its ‘Ocean Spray’ branded packages.The Northeast, Hanks explained, is a very important market for DNE World Fruit, with its partner, Ocean Spray, virtually in the backyard. In 1997 DNE entered into a strategic marketing alliance with Ocean Spray on fresh citrus. Through this alliance, DNE became the exclusive distributor of fresh citrus under the well-recognized “Ocean Spray” brand.

“Having done business in the area for many years, we are grateful to have built strong long-term business relations as well as friendships with many of the retailers, wholesalers and terminal market operators in the Northeast region,” noted Hanks. “The NEPC Expo is a great event for DNE, due in part to the timing of the event. September brings the start of our Florida citrus program along with our Spanish and Moroccan clementine programs. The Clambake dinner, exhibition floor and retail tours provide a relaxed atmosphere to discuss business.”

Hanks said that DNE World Fruit is pleased to announce that Scott George has recently joined the company’s sales team. George brings over 30 years of experience in the fresh produce industry to his new position. He has worked in all aspects of the industry including sales, merchandising, procurement and as division produce operations manager for a leading national grocery wholesaler.

“Scott brings a lot of passion for the fresh produce business and we are excited to have him join our team,” said Hanks.

DNE has another major reason to celebrate in 2015. It marks the company’s 100 years in business. During those years DNE evolved into a global marketer, packer and shipper. Since 1992 the company has ventured outside of Florida citrus in order to offer customers year-round quality citrus. Today, it imports citrus from Australia, South Africa, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Mexico, Spain and Morocco, as well as kiwi from Italy.