Jem-D and Flavour Pict merge operations
Jem-D and Flavour Pict merge operations
A merger north of the border has brought together two highly regarded greenhouse growers known for their quality products.
Jem-D International and Flavour Pict Produce, which are both based in Leamington, ON, merged operations effective Oct. 1. According to Jim DiMenna, president of Jem-D International, the deal is in the transition phase and should be finalized by Feb. 1.
"Jem-D has merged with the largest producer of cucumbers in Canada, and perhaps the largest in North America - Flavour Pict Produce," said Mr. DiMenna. "Flavor Pict is known as a producer of the finest quality hydroponic product. The company is very selective and fussy about what it packs in its boxes, and it maintains a rigorous quality-control program."
Jem-D is a major marketer and distributor of a full line of high-quality greenhouse products, including vine-ripened Beefsteak tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine, cocktail-sized tomatoes on the vine and Roma tomatoes. It also sells vine-ripened red, orange and yellow peppers in a variety of packaging, and seedless cucumbers in several sizes.
Angelo Sabelli founded Flavour Pict in 1961. The torch was passed to his son, Tony, in 1987. Today, Tony's son, Michael, is the third generation to oversee the company's operations. It operates one of the larger year-round English seedless cucumber hydroponic greenhouses in North America.
"The goal of the merger is to continue increasing our quality in the hydroponic cucumber category," said Mr. DiMenna. "We will maintain the 'Flavour Pict' label and we intend on exploiting it. It is already well known among top produce buyers, and everyone associates the name with great product."
Jem-D operates out of a 44,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art packing and distribution facility in Leamington. The company was formed when Mr. DiMenna and Jamie Mastronardi of Golden Jem Produce, also a Leamington- based greenhouse grower, pooled their resources to create a joint venture that combines the resources and expertise of their combined companies.
"Jem-D is the result of our recognition for the need for improved product flow," said Mr. DiMenna. "The collaboration and combination of our resources and experience have enabled us to increase our buying power. The convergence places us in a position to secure better prices for our resources, and we then pass those savings on to customers. Our produce is highly recognized -- and consequently more readily accepted -- by commerce in the U.S. and elsewhere."
"Jem-D and Flavour Pict now share the marketing responsibilities for the product," he said. "It will ultimately make Jem-D International the largest cucumber distributor in North America. Both companies share in the excitement that embarking on this new phase of our businesses will provide to us and to our customers"
As part of the merger, Jem-D has added one of Flavour Pict's sales representatives to its office.
Jem-D International and Flavour Pict Produce, which are both based in Leamington, ON, merged operations effective Oct. 1. According to Jim DiMenna, president of Jem-D International, the deal is in the transition phase and should be finalized by Feb. 1.
"Jem-D has merged with the largest producer of cucumbers in Canada, and perhaps the largest in North America - Flavour Pict Produce," said Mr. DiMenna. "Flavor Pict is known as a producer of the finest quality hydroponic product. The company is very selective and fussy about what it packs in its boxes, and it maintains a rigorous quality-control program."
Jem-D is a major marketer and distributor of a full line of high-quality greenhouse products, including vine-ripened Beefsteak tomatoes, tomatoes on the vine, cocktail-sized tomatoes on the vine and Roma tomatoes. It also sells vine-ripened red, orange and yellow peppers in a variety of packaging, and seedless cucumbers in several sizes.
Angelo Sabelli founded Flavour Pict in 1961. The torch was passed to his son, Tony, in 1987. Today, Tony's son, Michael, is the third generation to oversee the company's operations. It operates one of the larger year-round English seedless cucumber hydroponic greenhouses in North America.
"The goal of the merger is to continue increasing our quality in the hydroponic cucumber category," said Mr. DiMenna. "We will maintain the 'Flavour Pict' label and we intend on exploiting it. It is already well known among top produce buyers, and everyone associates the name with great product."
Jem-D operates out of a 44,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art packing and distribution facility in Leamington. The company was formed when Mr. DiMenna and Jamie Mastronardi of Golden Jem Produce, also a Leamington- based greenhouse grower, pooled their resources to create a joint venture that combines the resources and expertise of their combined companies.
"Jem-D is the result of our recognition for the need for improved product flow," said Mr. DiMenna. "The collaboration and combination of our resources and experience have enabled us to increase our buying power. The convergence places us in a position to secure better prices for our resources, and we then pass those savings on to customers. Our produce is highly recognized -- and consequently more readily accepted -- by commerce in the U.S. and elsewhere."
"Jem-D and Flavour Pict now share the marketing responsibilities for the product," he said. "It will ultimately make Jem-D International the largest cucumber distributor in North America. Both companies share in the excitement that embarking on this new phase of our businesses will provide to us and to our customers"
As part of the merger, Jem-D has added one of Flavour Pict's sales representatives to its office.
