Washington Fruit Growers adding second state-of-the-art cherry packingline

Washington Fruit Growers has plans for a second state-of-the-art cherry packingline at its Washington Fruit & Produce campus, set to be operational for the 2025 cherry season. This significant investment will expand the company’s packing capabilities, allowing for increased capacity to serve its growing needs from the field and customer base. The company said it is excited to expand its footprint on catch weight packaging, clamshells and other customer-driven demands.

The new packingline represents a substantial increase in Washington Fruit Growers’ operational infrastructure. By adding this second line, the company will boost capacity while maintaining its core focus on efficiency. This expansion underscores Washington Fruit Growers’ ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence in the fruit packing industry.

"We are thrilled to make this investment into the operations of Washington Fruit," said Tommy Hanses, CEO of Washington Fruit Growers. "By adding capacity to our current best-in-class operations, it will allow us to serve our growing customer base while providing the exceptional service and quality everyone has come to know and expect from the Independent label."

The new line will incorporate advanced sorting, grading and packaging technologies already used on Washington Fruit Growers' current cherry line, enabling the company to satisfy the increasing demand for its top-tier cherries. The addition of increased clamshell packaging capabilities will also provide customers with more versatile and convenient packaging options, aligning with current market trends and consumer preferences.

With this expansion, Washington Fruit Growers is poised to enhance its position as a leader in the fruit packing industry, delivering superior products and services to its customers. The company said it remains dedicated to upholding the highest quality and customer satisfaction standards.