Pexco finding success with value-added produce

While Pexco Produce Sales’ long-time leader JT Guida has given up some of his responsibilities over the last year, he’s still a presence at the company saying he still comes in “to make sure the gates are shut so the cows don’t get out.”

Managing out of Pompano Beach, FL, in the Edward L. Myrick State Farmers Market, and with a facility in Plant City, FL, where a majority of its operation has now transferred over to, Pexco has more than 50 years of history as a leading grower, shipper and consolidator of domestic and international produce.

These days, COO Michael Yates has taken over most leadership duties, and he is continuing the path that his predecessor set.

“This business is based on company service, and that’s what my philosophy is,” Yates said. “Quality is king and everything else is an excuse. We work to do our best each and every single day.”

It helps that he has a trusted leadership team behind him, with Mike Stanley as general manager of the Pompano operation and Clinton Stanley handling quality control duties, while in Plant City, Bill Nagle serves as director of operation.

“We’ve done a lot of expanding over the last couple of years, doing a lot of repack for retail — tray-pack corn, value-added squash and okra, and cucumbers, plus other items,” Yates said. “We have the same grower program we’ve had over the last few years, and it continues to grow year after year.”

Pexco is strong in eggplant, squash and Bell peppers, and handles the sale of pickles for Parkesdale Farms, which has been doing very well recently.

One of the biggest trends Yates noticed in recent years — and the pandemic only made it more popular — was in value-added products and it seems every week it grows more in that direction.

“We’re offering some value-added pickles in two-pound bags during the local season,” Yates said. “We also have a red, yellow and orange pepper program that started recently that’s going pretty well, and we can offer some value-added products in that as well.”

During the pandemic, the company had some hiccups, but came through it well and has seen business returning to a more normal state of affairs.

“The Food Box program was very helpful, but really put a supply chain strain on the industry,” Yates said. “Now things have kind of leveled out.”

Inflation is a concern for the company going forward, especially since Florida raised its minimum wage to $15 an hour. Add to that rising prices in materials, boxes, fertilizer, diesel fuel and more, and that’s made things challenging.

“It seems like that’s here to stay for now, so growers in the summertime are going to see those increased costs,” Yates said. “That’s a concern for the near future. It’s just part of doing business in these new times.”

With some new growers coming on board, Pexco is primed to continue following in the strong legacy of the company.

“We try to improve ourselves all the time and it seems to be paying off,” Yates said. “We’re just trying to add new pieces to our playbook and try to grow a bit every year and appeal to new customers or existing customers with new items.”