Washington Fruit Growers, Sinclair celebrate operational excellence
Washington Fruit Growers, Sinclair celebrate operational excellence
Sinclair, a global leader in automated produce labeling technology, and Washington Fruit Growers, a leading grower, packer and shipper of premium apples and other fresh produce, are proud to highlight their long-standing partnership.
“Our relationship with Sinclair goes back over 30 years, and it’s built on a shared belief: delivering the right thing to our customer,” said Mikey Hanks, operations manager at Washington Fruit and Produce. “One of the best aspects of Sinclair’s service is their on-site presence. Their technicians follow strict preventive maintenance schedules, making sure the labeling systems and applicators are always performing at peak levels. For us, that translates directly into less downtime and reduced overtime costs. We know there are other suppliers in the market, but we don’t even look. Sinclair gives us the best package, and it works the best.”
Supporting precision-driven operations
Washington Fruit runs 10-lane sizers, meaning each applicator represents 10 percent of total production. With a daily performance target of 95 percent or higher, equipment uptime is critical. “If even one applicator goes down, we fall below spec. Two applicators, and we’re way out of spec,” Hanks said. “With Sinclair, we consistently hit 95 percent and above without concern. That reliability allows us to stay on target and maintain operational excellence. Our goal is perfection in the apple line. Sinclair shares that commitment to 100 percent label accuracy.”
“Washington Fruit embodies the kind of long-term collaboration we strive for," said Lauren Soleimani, sales director at Sinclair North America. "For more than 30 years, we’ve grown together—advancing technology, improving uptime and supporting their commitment to quality. We’re incredibly proud to be part of their operational success and look forward to continuing this journey of excellence together.”
A labeling leader in the apple category
“Along with Washington Fruit Growers, we are fortunate to work with many other leading apple players around the world," said Duncan Jones, senior marketing manager at Sinclair. "This includes Pink Lady, VOG, Melinda, VIP, Johnny Apple Seed, Stemilt, Hansen, Copefrut, Blue Whale as well as leading retailers (for own label) and many more.
“Brands play an essential role in the apple business, and Sinclair’s labeling systems are a way to ensure great branding with sustainable credentials. Also, with apples being labeled on a variety of high-speed, automated labeling systems, both tray and on-line, Sinclair’s customization for each packinghouse maximizes operational efficiency in the apple business,” he added.
