With Jan. 25, 2015 representing WP Rawl’s 90th anniversary, the company is commemorating by hosting a reception for the produce industry at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event in February.

Ashley Rawl, vice president of sales, marketing and product development, and a third-generation family member of the Pelion, SC-based company, said everyone at the company is excited to share the celebration for Southern Exposure guests and colleagues at Booth No. 921.

“High School Musical alum Monique Coleman, who has partnered with ‘Nature’s Greens’ to help promote simple ways of incorporating greens into everyday life, will be featured at our booth,” Rawl shared. “The celebration will include video content, a commemorative e-book and a trade advertising campaign.”

The company also plans to host an event for employees in 2015.

Rawl added, “We have great relationships with our employees and customers, all the while continuing to live by our company motto, ‘Our Business is Growing.’”

And recent expansions of its staff are a good indicator of that growth. On July 14, Jim Zurbey joined the company as new director of plant operations. His experience and background in the produce industry is strong. He previously worked for Beckman Produce, Bella Fresh, River Ranch and Fresh Point. He then moved on to hold various positions at Taylor Farms before joining WP Rawl.

Marshall Sherman also joined the company on July 14 as director of food safety and quality. He has an extensive background in produce distribution, farming operations and plant and operations management. He previously worked for WP Rawl as general manager from 2001 to 2008.

Nancy Shimabukuro, also a returning employee to the company, was appointed food-safety and quality manager on Jan. 15.

In addition to Rawl, the company will be represented at Southern Exposure by Mark Haun, business development manager, Chad James, sales representative and Jeff Pratt, transportation manager.

“We have been members of the SEPC since its founding day,” said Rawl. “And we’ve exhibited at every Southern Exposure event. The SEPC is a wonderful organization that provides our company great exposure to valuable existing and potential customers. The size and location are just right and we are so happy to attend and exhibit year after year.”

WP Rawl will feature its “Nature’s Greens” line at Southern Exposure. It also plans to unveil a new product. More information is being kept under wraps until then.

Staff members of WP Rawl are involved with SEPC and its programs. Haun is currently involved in the Southeast Top Agricultural Recruits Scholarship, commonly called STARS program.

“Depending on schedules, we usually have someone representing our company at each event throughout the Southern Exposure weekend,” Rawl explained. “And this year we are sponsoring a reception for retailers and customers on Thursday from 6-7 p.m.”

He also reflected on a Jan. 20 press release issued by the company, where it explained its continued commitment to grow its leafy greens category, and is looking to the future with a complete upgrade of its greens’ production lines.

“In 2014, WP Rawl began upgrading the lines responsible for leafy greens processing at our headquarters,” said Rawl. “The updates will increase the company’s capacity and almost double our current capabilities.”

As the company prides itself with high food-safety standards, one of the compelling reasons for initiating the update was continued excellence in compliance with the latest standards. With the expansion also comes more business growth potential and higher efficiencies overall.

“Everything we do at WP Rawl, we do with the consumer in mind,” said Jim Zurbey, director of plant operations at WP Rawl. “Our overall efficiency and product quality will benefit from this state-of-the art revamp, which ultimately benefits our customers and the end consumer.”