NOGALES, AZ — Al Harrison Co. Distributors, here, which has traditionally been a shipper and distributor of watermelons and hard shell squash, has made some major changes in its operation this year, greatly expanding its product line and bringing on additional sales personnel to handle the new items.

Prime Time Sales LLC. in Coachella, CA, exclusive sales agent for Prime Time International, also in Coachella, is in the bell pepper business year round, with production in both California and Mexico.

The Mexican share of the company's volume has been expanding, and now "we actually have greater production in Mexico than we do in California, so it is a huge part of our program," said Mike Aiton, director of marketing. “Probably last year would be the first year when the scale kind of tipped.”

The only thing new for Bernardi & Associates Inc., coming into the 2010-11 Nogales season, is the opening of an office in McAllen, TX, said Joe Bernardi, president.

Headquartered in Nogales, AZ, Bernardi & Associates also has seasonal offices in San Diego, in Turlock, CA, and in Fort Meyers, FL. When The Produce News talked to Mr. Bernardi by phone Nov. 30, he was in the Turlock office where he has been for the summer and fall, mainly working the California tomato deal. As always, he will head down to Nogales by the first of the year.

NOGALES, AZ — SCC Fresh LLC, here, which was formed in November 2009 by Sergio Chamberlain, was "just starting up" and “didn't have much of anything, really,” by way of product to offer. “But this year I am anticipating to have a steadier program,” Mr. Chamberlain told The Produce News Nov. 10.

For the 2010-11 season, the company will be handling an assortment of Mexican-grown items throughout the season. “My program is going to be pretty much from start to finish,” fall through spring, he said.

Natural Flavor Produce LLC in Nogales, AZ, is a new business on the scene in the West Mexico deal, but the general manager, Gabriel (Gabe) Nuñez, who handles sales for the company, has 18 years of experience on the sales desk.

NOGALES, AZ — Sandia Distributors Inc., here, has hired two new sales people to replace Gabe Nuñez and Steve Damon, who are no longer with the company.

"We brought in Bobby Peraza, who was over at Borg, and we brought in Luis Hanna, who was over at Del Campo," said Bill Spence, sales manager, on Nov. 10. Both new hires had started about a month earlier.

Danny Carosilva continues on the sales desk at Sandia, along with Mr. Spence.