Trade groups downplay merger talk
Trade groups downplay merger talk
Members of the leadership of the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association met July 18 in Chicago, and while there was speculation that the focus of the meeting would be on a potential merger of the two associations, the chief executives of both groups said that was not the focus of the summit.
"Both associations' priority is always to deliver the best value to our members, and our volunteer leaders and staff have been talking about ways to do that better," United President Tom Stenzel and PMA President Bryan Silbermann wrote in a joint statement released July 16. "We are now exploring ways to enhance member value through collaboration between our two associations, although there is no predetermined endpoint such as a merger."
In addition to Messrs. Stenzel and Silbermann, the meeting was attended by six members of each of the association's boards of directors, who were not identified.
"Both associations' priority is always to deliver the best value to our members, and our volunteer leaders and staff have been talking about ways to do that better," United President Tom Stenzel and PMA President Bryan Silbermann wrote in a joint statement released July 16. "We are now exploring ways to enhance member value through collaboration between our two associations, although there is no predetermined endpoint such as a merger."
In addition to Messrs. Stenzel and Silbermann, the meeting was attended by six members of each of the association's boards of directors, who were not identified.