Chiquita dedicates research center
Chiquita dedicates research center
Chiquita Brands International Inc. dedicated Sept. 10 the James R. Lugg Global Research & Innovation Center in Salinas, CA, affirming the company's commitment to the Salinas Valley.
The center is named in honor of Mr. Lugg, Fresh Express' executive vice president for science and quality, and celebrates the contributions of Fresh Express employees to the fresh produce industry.
The center also will comprise the company's trial farms, pilot manufacturing plant, consumer test kitchen and a retail merchandising lab where value- added products are created and tested.
The "Chiquita" and "Fresh Express" brands have long been recognized for commitment to research and are credited with a lengthy list of "firsts" for the fresh produce industry. Among these are the creation of the fresh-cut salad category, now a multi-billion dollar industry; the early development of an advanced, computerized traceability system; the advancement of sophisticated seed research and development initiatives; the creation of the first comprehensive raw product quality and food-safety program; and the use of the first pilot plant in product innovation.
Mr. Lugg began his career with Fresh Express in 1963 when he became research director for Bruce Church Inc., a predecessor company, and his accomplishments include managing the development of packaged salads. Since 1966 he has served as president of Fresh Express's sister company TransFRESH.
"We are proud to advance our commitment to innovation by enhancing our strong research capabilities at the Lugg Center, which will enable us to continue our strategic focus on global innovation efforts," Fernando Aguirre, Chiquita's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a press release. "By housing the center in Salinas, we are celebrating the many contributions of our employees over the past eight decades that have helped to build the successful fresh produce industry and the Salinas Valley-Central Coast region of California."
Tanios E. Viviani, president of global innovation and emerging markets and chief marketing officer, said in the release that it is fitting that the center "honor a man who has devoted his career to agricultural innovation to help provide the freshest, safest and greatest tasting produce possible," and that Mr. Lugg's "inventiveness, tenacity and curiosity have been a guiding force in innovation at our company and for the fresh foods industry for more than 45 years."
The center is named in honor of Mr. Lugg, Fresh Express' executive vice president for science and quality, and celebrates the contributions of Fresh Express employees to the fresh produce industry.
The center also will comprise the company's trial farms, pilot manufacturing plant, consumer test kitchen and a retail merchandising lab where value- added products are created and tested.
The "Chiquita" and "Fresh Express" brands have long been recognized for commitment to research and are credited with a lengthy list of "firsts" for the fresh produce industry. Among these are the creation of the fresh-cut salad category, now a multi-billion dollar industry; the early development of an advanced, computerized traceability system; the advancement of sophisticated seed research and development initiatives; the creation of the first comprehensive raw product quality and food-safety program; and the use of the first pilot plant in product innovation.
Mr. Lugg began his career with Fresh Express in 1963 when he became research director for Bruce Church Inc., a predecessor company, and his accomplishments include managing the development of packaged salads. Since 1966 he has served as president of Fresh Express's sister company TransFRESH.
"We are proud to advance our commitment to innovation by enhancing our strong research capabilities at the Lugg Center, which will enable us to continue our strategic focus on global innovation efforts," Fernando Aguirre, Chiquita's chairman and chief executive officer, said in a press release. "By housing the center in Salinas, we are celebrating the many contributions of our employees over the past eight decades that have helped to build the successful fresh produce industry and the Salinas Valley-Central Coast region of California."
Tanios E. Viviani, president of global innovation and emerging markets and chief marketing officer, said in the release that it is fitting that the center "honor a man who has devoted his career to agricultural innovation to help provide the freshest, safest and greatest tasting produce possible," and that Mr. Lugg's "inventiveness, tenacity and curiosity have been a guiding force in innovation at our company and for the fresh foods industry for more than 45 years."
