A year after settling into a new facility, Miedema Produce Inc., located in Hudsonville, MI, is getting established therein, according to Todd Miedema, the company’s sales manager.

Getting settled “is really is going to help our efficiency and take everything to the next level,” Mr. Miedema told The Produce News June 13. “We are really enjoying it for new products and processing.” He wasn’t yet ready to announce some upcoming new products, but he did say, “The new facility has worked out really well. We are excited. It’s nice to have room and be creative with new things.”

With age comes wisdom. Ben B. Schwartz & Sons Inc., now in its 105th year of operation, has honed a fine edge on its operating philosophy.

“We sell a lot of interesting commodities, and they come in from all over the world,” said Nate Stone, the firm’s chief operating officer. The company moves product from the Detroit Produce Terminal. “If it’s available, we try to provide it on a year-round basis,” Mr. Stone said. The bulk of product is moved in the Detroit metropolitan area. “We have quite a bit of Canadian business,” he added.

Michigan’s climate and land yield a wide variety of agricultural products through a season.

Tyler Hodges, sales manager of Todd Greiner Farms, located in Hart, MI, said that his firm takes advantage of that opportunity with a diverse offering. Todd Greiner Farms’ corporate philosophy calls for “a good transition though the year” and a shipping schedule that is “not overwhelming,” he said.

Procacci Bros. Sales Corp. successfully uses computer software by Produce Pro to improve its operations.

Procacci, a major wholesaler, repacker and distributor, continually faces the challenge of keeping each segment efficient and compliant with new regulations and industry initiatives.

PHILADELPHIA — Moving to the new Philadelphia terminal market will involve having John Vena Inc. expand its product line, said company owner John Vena.

But an expanded line doesn’t necessarily require a buying program that extends beyond the walls of the Philadelphia Wholesale Produce Market.

Mr. Vena was frank in his evaluation of his business and where it needs to go. “We have identified customer segments within which we have not done a good job,” he said.

PHILADELPHIA — Enthusiastic about the opportunities of the information highway, Tom Kovacevich III, is speeding in the fast lane. Mr. Kovacevich, generally known as “Tommy K,” is general manager of T.M. Kovacevich-Philadelphia Inc.

On March 2, he released a “Best Fruit Now 1.0.0” app for iPhones. The “Best Fruit Now” website for the app is www.bestfruitnow.com. The same app for Android smart phones will soon be on the market. The work was done with technical consulting from Mr. Kovacevich’s partner, Séamus Devitt.