Team Produce continues to see success by focusing on long-term relationships
Team Produce continues to see success by focusing on long-term relationships
Whether it’s sourcing international produce or acting as a liaison for retailers that work directly with exporters and growers, the success of Miami-based Team Produce International Inc. is a direct result of group effort and maintaining lasting relationships.
“Our philosophy is to develop long-term relationships, not look at the short-term sale or gain,” company President Mike Parr told The Produce News.
Team Produce’s longstanding relationships with suppliers, customers, and even staff members, is what makes the company what it is today. “Today, we receive fruit from the original Chilean growers that we started with 30 years ago,” Parr commented.
Team Produce specializes in a wide variety of products imported from Mexico, Central and South America, including Hass avocados and blueberries, as well as lesser know products such as quince and persimmons. In previous years, Chile was its dominant source of produce; however, Peru has become more of a factor in the last two seasons.
“This year we will import Peruvian grapes for the first time,” Parr mentioned.
The company has also recently seen growth in its role as a “service provider.”
“One aspect of our business that is showing growth is our role as a ‘service provider,’” Parr said. “A few years ago, we realized that certain retailers wanted to buy directly from exporter/growers. Likewise, growers want to know their price before shipping. In certain instances, the retail customer negotiates the program, both prices and volume, directly with the grower and we provide logistical services for a per box fee rather than making commission.”
In spite of the historic snowfall and cold weather in the Northeast and Midwest this past winter, Team Produce still managed to see growth in its revenues.
“Team Produce’s revenues will show a 19 percent increase compared to the same period a year ago,” Parr said on March 16 of his company’s business over the past nine months. “This is a result of higher concentration of sales in the Southeast and Texas.”
As for the coming year ahead, Parr sees nothing but opportunity.
“This is an extremely challenging industry,” he admitted. “But with challenge comes opportunity. We see Peru as a tremendous opportunity for growth in commodities we already handle such as Hass avocados and blueberries, but also other items including ginger and snow peas/sugar snaps.”
