California Ag Network

Tag: Sun-Maid

  • Sun-Maid Continues Successful Expansion with Move to Fresno

    As part of the company’s commitment to growth and efficiencies, Sun-Maid Growers of California announced it will move its corporate offices from Kingsburg and satellite offices from northern California to a new consolidated headquarters in Fresno this summer. Sun-Maid’s Kingsburg location will be transformed into a center for operational excellence and product development to further incite innovation and encourage a strong focus on new products for the brand. To ensure a beneficial transition for employees,  individuals may elect flex schedules, remote access and work-from-home options—all of which are being made available to the existing workforce.
     
    The moves reinforce three key areas to help drive the company’s transformation: it will support the growing talent base, create a culture of creativity, collaboration and excellence, and build its innovation pipeline. Sun-Maid’s expanded Central Valley footprint serves as another milestone that’s part of its re-emergence in the marketplace, which has included the hiring of a new CEO and launch of its first integrated campaign in a decade.
     
    “This move marks a monumental step in our progression in terms of talent, culture and innovation,” said Harry Overly, CEO and president of Sun-Maid. “Everyone knows Sun-Maid’s iconic red box, and we all have special memories growing up with these raisins in tow. With an expanded headquarters and more poignant focus on creative ideas and products, we look forward to spurring even more of these moments, while continuing to offer natural, healthful options for parents and kids alike.” 
     
    In addition to the new Fresno office, the Kingsburg site will remain a vital hub for the organization. It will still employ more than 700 people, including functions like finance, grower relations, research & development, and operations management.  The Sun-Maid Market will remain open as an iconic visitor center for the brand’s local customers.
     
    This relocation marks a return to Fresno, where Sun-Maid was founded in 1912 and headquartered until 1964, when it built a new production facility in Kingsburg. Since then, Fresno, which is the fifth largest city in California, has gained prominence as a central economic hub for agricultural production and attracted top talent. With significant growth goals for the coming years, Sun-Maid looks forward to capitalizing on such distinctions. The new headquarters will be at the southwest corner of Palm and Herndon at 6795 North Palm Avenue.
     
    To further cultivate a nurturing and modern culture, Sun-Maid’s new Fresno-based headquarters will feature a contemporary atmosphere to inspire creativity and teamwork. The relocation will allow for endless business and community possibilities by bringing more than 100 employees spanning departments including marketing, sales, finance, customer service, human resources and IT, among others. “We look forward to having all our professional cohorts working together, face to face,” added Overly.

  • “NEW” SUN-MAID HOLDS 106th ANNUAL MEETING

    Sun-Maid Growers of California held its 106th Annual membership meeting at the Convention Center’s “New Exhibit Hall” in Downtown Fresno.  The theme “It’s A New Sun-Maid” was evident throughout the event with a newly created management team and marketing strategy.  The meeting was moved for the first time in over 30 years from the Saroyan Theater to accommodate Disney’s production of The Lion King. More than 1,000 raisin growers, families and guests were in attendance.
     
    Sun-Maid President & CEO, Harry Overly laid out the company’s transformational plans to reinvigorate Sun-Maid – the Timeless & Trusted brand – and revealed an all-encompassing marketing strategy to target today’s younger millennial parents.  Sun-Maid’s 2019 marketing efforts, set to launch in January, will include a national television and digital campaign in addition to a portfolio of new products.  President Overly went on further to describe Sun-Maid’s heavy emphasis on innovation and marketing, indicating nearly 40% of the company’s growth will come from new products. 
     
    “We’ve learned so much about the Sun-Maid brand over the past year talking to consumers. We intend to take those consumer insights and grow this business with exciting new products and a new marketing campaign that reminds all consumers of their strong emotional connection to Sun-Maid,” said Overly.
     
    President Overly also highlighted the strength of the association with net sales steady at $362 million in this past fiscal year, and reported that for the 32nd consecutive year, Sun-Maid member payments will exceed the established industry field price. 
     
    Chairman Jeff Jue provided a review of this year’s growing conditions.  He also addressed the current outlook of the raisin industry, which has seen an increase in the 2018 crop size of more than 10% and deliveries exceeding 2017 by 22%.  With this larger crop, both Jue and Overly confirmed the California crop will be easily cover today’s demands.  However, Overly indicated cautious guidance in regards to worldwide raisin demand trends and the impact of emerging foreign competitors.  Overly reviewed weakening US shipment trends and the potential influence on California raisin pricing.
     
    Founded in 1912, Sun-Maid Growers is the world’s largest marketer of raisins and other premium quality dried fruits. Sun-Maid’s sales are approximately half retail consumer products and half ingredient products for items such as cereals, breads and a variety of other food products. Located in Kingsburg, California in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s raisin producing district, Sun-Maid products are distributed throughout the United States and in more than 50 countries around the world.
     
    For more information about Sun-Maid, visit www.sunmaid.com.

  • Introducing the New CEO of Sun-Maid, Harry Overly

    At the 105th annual meeting of Sun-Maid Growers in Fresno, Harry Overly was introduced as the new President & CEO of Sun-Maid.  He gave a great presentation to the growers, talking about his background and big plans for Sun-Maid moving forward.  Watch his brief interview and read more about him in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Calagnet & YARA
    Special thanks to this video’s sponsor!

  • Short 2017 Crop Forces Allocation of CA Raisins

    What started off as a short raisin crop this year, got even shorter with high heat and two rainstorms during harvest. At the 105 Annual Meeting of Sun-Maid held in early December, Chairman of the Board Jeff Jue shared that the California raisin industry would be allocating raisins in the coming year due to the the supply and low inventory. Watch Jue’s interview and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Sponsored By:

    Calagnet & YARA

  • Jeff Jue Shares Sun Maid’s Stance on the RAC Referendum

    Growers are voting on a referendum regarding some changed to the terms and conditions of the Federal Marketing Order for Raisins. At the 105th annual meeting of Sun-Maid Growers, Chairman Jeff Jue shared Sun-Maid stance on the Marketing Order and encouraged growers to vote. Watch Jue’s interview and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Sponsored By:

    Calagnet & YARA

  • Retiring Sun Maid President Receives American Vineyard Outstanding Service Award

    At the 105th Annual Meeting of Sun-Maid, American Vineyard Publisher Dan Malcolm presented retiring Sun-Maid President Barry Kriebel with American Vineyard’s Outstanding Service Award, after 30+ years of dedicated service to Sun-Maid and the raisin industry. Watch his brief interview, and read more about Mr. Kriebel in the December Issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Sponsored By:

    Calagnet & YARA

  • Sun-Maid outgoing President Featured in American Vineyard

    Check your mailboxes for the December issue of American Vineyard Magazine, Featuring outgoing President of Sun-Maid Barry Kriebel, Wildfire Damage Assessment to the CA Wine Industry, and more… If you don’t currently receive the magazine and would like to, subscribe for free here.

  • Don’t Miss the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo at the Fresno Fairgrounds

    Don’t miss the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo coming to the Big Fresno Fairgrounds on November 14th, put on by American Vineyard, California Fresh Fruit, and Pacific Nut Producer Magazines.  The Expo will feature educational grower seminars, and state of the grape, nut, and tree fruit industry addresses by Gary Schulz of the Citrus Research Board, Ian LeMay of the California Fresh Fruit Association, Cindy Plummer of the California Table Grape Commission, Nat DiBuduo of Allied Grape Growers, Barry Kriebel of Sun-Maid Growers, Richard Matoian of American Pistachio Growers, Jon Field of the Walnut Bargaining Association, Mark Hendrixson of the California Pecan Growers association and Kelly Covello of the Almond Alliance of California.  A complimentary breakfast and lunch will be provided.  These shows provide a great environment for the industry to get together, celebrate the harvest, enjoy some good food, get five hours of educational credits and have a great time.  Registration is FREE and will begin at 7:00 a.m., and the meeting will conclude at 2 p.m.  Learn more about the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo and pre-register at AgExpo.biz.

  • Sun-Maid Tips for Raisin Growers to Improve Productivity & Sustainability

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    At Sun-Maid’s 104th Annual Meeting, Jeff Jue, Chairman of the Board, invited raisin growers to improve the productivity and economic sustainability of their vineyards with a few tips. Watch his brief interview and read more in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.