Chiquita receives $611 million buyout offer
Chiquita Brands International, which in March announced a proposed merger with Dublin, Ireland-based Fyffes plc, received an unsolicited $611 million buyout offer from the Cutrale Group and the Safra Group.
The pair of companies proposed to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding stock of Chiquita Brands Inc. at a price of $13 per share in cash to Chiquita shareholders. This proposal represents a premium of 29 percent to Chiquita's closing share price of $10.06 as of Aug. 8; however, since the offer was announced Chiquita's stock has risen to more than $13 per share.
Door to China reopens for California citrus
After more than 14 months of being denied official access to the Chinese market, the California citrus industry was notified verbally the week of July 28 and in writing Monday, Aug. 4 that China was once again open for exports of California citrus.
New deal gives Progressive more volume and flexibility
The addition of Mission Produce Inc.’s asparagus business as well as its top salesman has given Los Angeles-based Progressive Produce Corp. more flexibility, more volume and more customers for its own asparagus business.
The deal, which was announced last fall and included Mission’s Mexican asparagus business, significantly increased Progressive’s presence in fresh asparagus.
Spice World offers many garlic items, with Calif. product nearly year-round
Headquartered in Orlando, FL, with farming operations in California’s San Joaquin Valley and a packing, processing and distribution facility in Coalinga, CA, Spice World Inc. is fully vertically integrated in the garlic business, according to Louis Hymel, director of purchasing. “We are pretty much from seed to plate,” he said.
Although the company sources garlic from various producing areas, including Argentina, Central Mexico and Baja California, Mexico, “we offer California garlic almost all year-round,” he said.
James Collins new packingroom supervisor at John Vena Inc.
John Vena Inc. recently announced James Collins as its new packingroom supervisor.
In this newly created role, Collins will be in charge of all packingroom processes.
Collins has a bachelor’s degree in networking and communications management, as well as experience in production processes. He has spent the majority of his career working in operations, which has allowed him to develop his skills in process technology and lean manufacturing.
Tree nut market likely to feel pinch from Putin's retaliation
WASHINGTON - California-grown tree nuts may be hard hit by Russian President Vladimir Putin's ban on food imports that went into place this week in retaliation to sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict.
Putin signed the Aug. 6 order that targets not only U.S. exports of fruits and vegetables but also a wide variety of foods originating from European Union countries as well as Canada, Australia and Norway. The one-year ban covers beef, pork, poultry, fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, cheese, milk and other commodities.
Fresh Solutions Network LLC establishes 'Side Delights' brand
Fresh Solutions Network LLC announced the establishment of the "Side Delights" brand as a powerful new full-line player in the fresh potato category.
SunFed Produce names Brett Burdsal to marketing post
SunFed Produce, based in Rio Rico, AZ, has hired Brett Burdsal as director of marketing, a new position.
Burdsal told The Produce News "this is a phenomenal opportunity with a company with such a great reputation for growing unbelievably high-quality produce," adding that working with SunFed's highly-professional staff "will make my job easy."
Burdsal was hired away from Columbia Marketing International, based in Wenatchee, WA, to "take SunFed to the next level," including working more closely with both consumers and retailers, he said.
Cold Train ceases expedited intermodal service in Washington
On Aug. 7, Cold Train Express Intermodal Service announced it would be suspending service at its location at the Port of Quincy, WA. Cold Train, operated by Rail Logistics of Overland Park, KS, developed a transportation model which allowed fresh producers in the Pacific Northwest to take advantage of refrigerated rail service that moved commodities to Chicago, IL, and points beyond in a timely and efficient manner.
Riveridge Produce adds new staff
Sparta, MI-based Riveridge Produce recently added new staff members to its team as part of its expansion plans.