“Our Texas facility is currently in its phase three expansion and scheduled for completion by year’s end,” said Ronnie Cohen, vice president of sales for Vision Import Group, headquartered in River Edge, NJ.

“The addition will give us the space we need to provide our customers with increased just-in-time services,” he continued. “Basically we’ll be doing what we’ve been doing, but with increased efficiencies and added abilities.”

Cohen explained that the “Vision companies” refers to Vision Import Group’s shared unified national distribution with Vision Produce Co. in Los Angeles.

Although separate, being united enables both companies to market their popular brands nationwide. Vision Import Group markets east of the Mississippi River, and Vision Produce Co. handles the West. Bill Vogel, president and chief executive officer of Vision Produce Co. is a partner along with Cohen and Raul Millan, the executive vice president of Vision Import Group.

“Weather conditions affect product — that’s a natural fact — and so regrading is a normal process,” said Cohen. “This is among the functions we perform in Texas.”

The company ships its limes in 10-pound pony packs and conventional 10-pound loose packs, which are particularly popular with the foodservice sector. It also adds PLU stickers to upgraded limes, which are also sold in 10-pound packs. The darker colored upgraded limes appeal to some retailers and foodservice operators.

“The expansion will enable us to do more of these functions, and we will also be able to bag our one-pound ‘Mojito’ sleeves, which are packed 10 to a box,” said Cohen. “This added value provides more just-in-time services to our customers.”

Both Vision Import Group and Vision Produce Co. market the “Van Gogh” branded mangos as well as lime labels “Mojito,” “Havana” and “Mr. Squeeze.” Vision Produce Co. also sells limes under the “Bonito” and “Logger” brands in the western part of the country.

“Our ongoing goal is to have all our orders move seamlessly in both product quality and customer service,” said Cohen. “We have always used the logo ‘Todos Tenemos Que Comer,’ which translates to ‘We All Need To Eat.’ It’s even printed on the back of our business cards.

“The bottom line is that the Vision companies are separating themselves from other companies by providing seamless movement on orders with the highest possible quality and service related to our popular and our well-known proprietary brands,” Cohen continued. “We believe that the most important aspect of customer service is flawless communication. There are too many variables when you’re dealing with fresh produce that we don’t have control over. Communication is imperative in keeping our customers informed of any issues and in helping them when they have needs.”

Cohen noted that if market conditions are advantageous and the fruit stays the same high quality it currently is, its “Mr. Squeeze” lemon program, which started in July, could run through December.

“Our new crop of ‘Havana’ pineapples started the first week of September,” Cohen pointed out. “This program typically has a one-month gap in September. We’re now shipping again and we expect to have outstanding pineapples through next August.”

Vision Import Group opened a facility in Lakeland, FL, earlier this year. It is managed by Bruce Letchworth.