Greenyard Foods Sign Deal For New Facility In US
June 17, 2016 | 3 min to read
Sint-Katelijne-Waver, Belgium – Greenyard Foods (Euronext Brussels: GRYFO) announced today the investment in the company’s northeast US operations, with construction of a new state-of-the-art packing and cold storage facility. This marks the first expansion of the company in the US market after the merger with UNIVEG in June 2015. Located in Swedesboro, New Jersey, the facility is strategically positioned within close proximity of the northeastern ports, a major receiving point for imported fresh produce in the US.
Currently operating as UNIVEG Logistics America (ULA), the company’s name will change to Greenyard Logistics America upon completion of the new facility. This expansion substantially increases its overall volume and production capability, quadrupling its current operational square footage and capacity. The expansion also significantly increases the company’s services for customers in areas such as value-add packing, consolidation, controlled atmosphere storage and service providing opportunities. The complex will be a central matching point for both growers and retailers. Future growth is also anticipated with potential for additional development in the facility plans.
“As part of our strategic plan, the expansion of our northeast operations not only substantially increases our production capacity but further underscores our commitment to our customers and growers,” says Mayda Sotomayor, President of ULA. “Expanding our facility has been in our plans for quite some time as our current facility has been a challenge for our continued growth. We couldn’t be more excited to finally move forward with the plans.”
“This expansion is in line with Greenyard Foods’ focus to grow in the US market, as part of the Fresh division’s growth plans,” says Marleen Vaesen, CEO of Greenyard Foods. “It underlines our commitment to invest in our fresh operations, our people and ultimately our mission to grow consumption of fruits and vegetables for a healthier future.”
Ground-breaking is scheduled for July 2016 with plans to open the facility in February 2017. Seald Sweet, a member of the Greenyard Foods group of companies and sister company of ULA, will also relocate its imports production operations and northeast sales offices to the new facility, enabling the sales and production teams to continue operating within the same location. This continues to strengthen the company’s overall position in the US market, which is a growth market for the fresh division of Greenyard Foods.
For additional information, contact
Kim Flores
Marketing Director, Seald Sweet Tel. +1 (772) 569-2244
Email: kflores@sealdsweet.com
About UNIVEG Logistics America
UNIVEG Logistics America, a member of Greenyard Foods, was established in 2008 in Swedesboro, New Jersey, USA, and is located near the port of Philadelphia fruit terminals, one of the major fresh produce ports of entry in the north-eastern United States. ULA is a service provider in the Metro Philadelphia area and one of the largest repacking facilities in southern New Jersey, specializing in logistics, cold storage and distribution of fresh produce.
About Seald Sweet
Seald Sweet was founded in 1909 as a Florida citrus grower cooperative. In 1998, Seald Sweet merged with Greenyard Foods, formerly known as UNIVEG, transforming the company to a global marketer through their international network of companies. Today Seald Sweet is a leading supplier of the citrus category and grapes, apples, pears and more through their global network of companies and partners.
www.sealdsweet.com
About Greenyard Foods
Greenyard Foods (Euronext Brussels: GRYFO) is a global market leader of fresh and prepared fruit & vegetables, flowers, plants and growing media. Counting Europe’s leading retailers amongst its customer base, the group provides efficient and sustainable solutions to customers and suppliers through best-in-class products, market leading innovation, operational excellence and outstanding service.
Our vision is to make lives healthier by helping people enjoy fruit & vegetables at any moment, easy, fast and pleasurable, whilst fostering nature.
With some 8,200 employees operating in 25 countries worldwide, Greenyard Foods identifies its people and key customer and supplier relationships as the key assets which enable it to deliver goods and services worth almost 4 billion per annum.
www.greenyardfoods.com
Source: Seald Sweet Intl., Univeg Logistics America, Greenyard Foods