Mann Packing names Bruce Gilkerson new sales manager for U.S. central region
Mann Packing names Bruce Gilkerson new sales manager for U.S. central region
Officials at Mann Packing Co. in Salinas, CA, have retained Bruce Gilkerson to serve as the company's sales manger for the central region of the United States. Mr. Gilkerson replaces Mark Plantan, who Mann promoted to vice president of retail sales on April 11.
Mr. Gilkerson is a 20-year veteran of the produce industry. He seems to have come full circle, having helped Mann launch its fresh-cut vegetable line in the early 1990s as a food broker for PMP/Calkins (a food broker covering the Chicago market). Mr. Gilkerson was with PMP for 10 years before leaving the firm to become vice president of merchandising for Salinas-based Fresh Express. In 2002, he left Fresh Express to form his own independent consulting sales firm. Mr. Gilkerson will continue to represent other produce brands, but the Mann business will occupy the majority of his time.
"I'm thrilled to be back in the Mann fold working with such a great team and representing a high-quality product," he said in a release. "Mann's commitment to the fresh-cut vegetable category is stronger than ever. We are focused and committed to working with our retail partners to build sales."
The fresh-cut vegetable category has seen double-digit growth over the past few years, largely driven by an increase in household penetration.
Mark Plantan, Mann's vice president of retail sales, said in the statement, "Bruce not only has the category expertise we need to grow the category, he has a solid reputation for delivering exceptional customer service, which has always been a priority here at Mann."
Mr. Gilkerson is a 20-year veteran of the produce industry. He seems to have come full circle, having helped Mann launch its fresh-cut vegetable line in the early 1990s as a food broker for PMP/Calkins (a food broker covering the Chicago market). Mr. Gilkerson was with PMP for 10 years before leaving the firm to become vice president of merchandising for Salinas-based Fresh Express. In 2002, he left Fresh Express to form his own independent consulting sales firm. Mr. Gilkerson will continue to represent other produce brands, but the Mann business will occupy the majority of his time.
"I'm thrilled to be back in the Mann fold working with such a great team and representing a high-quality product," he said in a release. "Mann's commitment to the fresh-cut vegetable category is stronger than ever. We are focused and committed to working with our retail partners to build sales."
The fresh-cut vegetable category has seen double-digit growth over the past few years, largely driven by an increase in household penetration.
Mark Plantan, Mann's vice president of retail sales, said in the statement, "Bruce not only has the category expertise we need to grow the category, he has a solid reputation for delivering exceptional customer service, which has always been a priority here at Mann."
