Exp. Group to make Southern Exposure debut
Exp. Group to make Southern Exposure debut
A leading importer and distributor of tropical fruits, Exp. Group has recently expanded with a new location in McAllen, TX, in addition to its headquarters in North Bergen, NJ. As its presence is growing, the company is participating in its first Southeast Produce Council Southern Exposure show.
“We view our organization now as more of a national company, opening a second location in Texas and really looking at different markets,” said Anthony Serafino, president of Exp. Group. “Being in the southeast and increasing our business and exposure in the southeast portion of the United States, we felt there was no better spot than being involved with the Southeast Produce Council.”
The company also felt this was a good first chance to be at Southern Exposure.”
“We want to better serve our clientele, and our clientele that attends this show happens to be based in that portion of the United States, so what better place to serve them than their local show?” Serafino said.
Last year, Exp. Group participated in its first International Fresh Produce Association show, and Serafino said that participating in new shows is exciting and important.
“You only have one first time at a particular show, and we’ve heard a lot of good things about it,” he said. “A lot of industry professionals and executives are really looking forward to this show, and they say it’s one of the best shows.”
Exp. Group’s operations span North America and Europe, and it specializes in bananas, plantains and other Central and South American tropical fruits.
“Our Texas location opened its doors in September of 2023, and 2024 was its first full year of operation, and we saw tremendous success out of that location,” Serafino said.
Exp. Group will be setting up shop at booth No. 940 during Southern Exposure, and the company will be focusing on opportunities to grow, especially in the southeast, which it can serve from Florida and the new operation in McAllen, because of the commodities that come in from Mexico.
“You get so much more out of the show when you exhibit,” Serafino said. “It’s the best way to entertain current clients, potential clients, and really showcase — not just to the Southeast but to the United States and companies that attend the show — what Exp. Group is about. What we’re about is quality, service, brand and culture. When we do all those things together, we create a great organization.”
It’s an organization Serafino’s father founded, and he’s been the president for over a year now, leading the next generation.
“We have a lot of youth in our organization, and we want to tell our clientele that this is the next chapter for our beautiful industry,” Serafino said. “What better way to do that than with boots on the ground?”
The show marks a great opportunity for the company, Serafino added, because the country’s demographics are changing, which is creating more demand for items, such as plantains. He added that the industry needs to stay with the time and provide consumers with the produce they want.
“We can showcase that way more at the show,” he said. “People get a good pulse of what Exp. Group is about when we exhibit. It’s much different when you entertain clients on a more professional basis when you have your own booth set up. Our team does a fantastic job, and they make my life very easy. I just show up.”
