IRVINE, Calif. – Western Growers officially unveiled its new headquarters in a private ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday, welcoming members of the Western Growers Board of Directors, spouses and special guests to the company’s new home at 15525 Sand Canyon in Irvine, California. Chairman Larry Cox of Lawrence Cox Ranches [Brawley, Calif.] did the ribbon-cutting honors. Guests and their spouses participated in a building tour, reception and dinner. The event was held in conjunction with Western Growers’ quarterly Board Meeting in Newport Beach.
“With our board members in town, this was an opportunity to showcase our new, state-of-the-art offices and officially announce our new location,” said Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif. “As our members face an ever-more challenging business climate, Western Growers has created new services and products to help them remain competitive and grow, and that has allowed us to grow beyond the headquarters and other offices we occupied since 1980.”
Prior to the relocation, most employees of Western Growers’ 12 companies and business divisions were spread amongst four different locations in Irvine, limiting the daily interactions that can add to efficiencies and boost morale. “Consolidation to an 80,000-square-foot standalone three-story building allows us to bring all our Orange County-based employees under one roof and still gives us the opportunity to expand,” Nassif said.
Founded in 1926 as Western Growers Protective Association in California’s Imperial Valley, Western Growers has a storied tradition. Ninety years of history have been memorialized in the decorations and wall displays, which are designed to showcase former chairmen, past presidents and important events that have shaped the organization since its inception.
While the new building pays homage to the past, it also paves an expectant path for the future, providing employees with state-of-the-art capabilities. “We have been able to capture our rich heritage and seamlessly blend it into a technologically-enhanced, contemporary facility that symbolizes the advancement of our organization and industry into an era of innovation and adaptability,” Nassif said.
Western Growers’ original mission was to fight for fair transportation rates for the agricultural industry. But over the years, its mission adapted to reflect the changing needs of the industry. Western Growers has become a powerful voice for fresh fruit, vegetable and tree nut growers in Arizona, California and Colorado at the state and federal levels. “The company’s mission today: ‘To enhance the competitiveness and profitability of our members’ – guides our daily actions on behalf of our members who face difficult political and regulatory environments,” Nassif said.
Western Growers operates six different companies that are both non-profit and for-profit entities, including Western Growers Assurance Trust, Western Growers Insurance Services, Western Growers Financial Services, Western Growers Labor Services, Western Growers Service Corporation and Pinnacle Claims Management. More than half of Western Growers’ employees report to one of the for-profit businesses.
About Western Growers:
Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California and Colorado. Our members and their workers provide more than half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. For generations we have provided variety and healthy choices to consumers. Connect with and learn more about Western Growers on our Twitter and Facebook.
Source: Western Growers
