Catalytic Generators and Exp. Group: Scaling the Art of Ripening Through a Two-Generation Partnership

Ripening more than 75,000 boxes of bananas and 100,000 boxes of plantains per week requires precision, predictability and partners that can scale. For Exp. Group, one of the largest ripening operations in the United States, its multi-decade partnership with Catalytic Generators has provided the reliable ethylene foundation needed to support growth while delivering consistent quality across its expanding U.S. footprint.

For over three decades, Catalytic Generators, a specialist in ethylene application systems for fruit ripening, has worked alongside Exp. Group, supporting its growth from a family-founded produce distributor into one of the largest banana ripening operations in the United States. The partnership began with Gene Akins and Emil Serafino. Today, their sons Greg Akins and Anthony Serafino continue that legacy, guiding their respective family businesses with aligned values and a shared commitment to quality and long-term trust.

Exp. Group is a family-owned, nationwide fresh produce distributor headquartered in North Bergen, New Jersey. It sources high-quality products from domestic farms and imports from the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. The company operates a large-scale banana and plantain ripening and distribution platform with facilities in North Bergen, New Jersey, and McAllen, Texas. The company ripens more than 75,000 boxes of bananas and over 100,000 boxes of plantains per week, handling close to one million boxes of fresh produce across its supply chain, including papayas, pears, tomatoes and other commodities. Its four pillars — quality, service, brand, and culture — guide daily operations.

As Anthony Serafino, President and Principal of Exp. Group, explains, “Ripening is an art. Anyone can turn fruit yellow, but delivering the right color, shelf life and consistency for each customer requires discipline and precision.”

Precision and Predictability at Scale

Catalytic Generators’ systems support efficient and controlled fruit ripening. Their Easy-Ripe® generators and Ethy-Gen® II ethylene concentrate allow Exp. Group to manage ripening cycles precisely, achieving consistent color and quality across multiple commodities while minimizing variability across high-volume operations.

Anthony Serafino explains: “Ethylene should not be complicated. Our clients don’t want surprises. If they ask for a certain color, they expect exactly that. As we grow, we need predictability. We need to know that what we put into the chamber is going to deliver exactly what our customers expect.”

Greg Akins, President & CEO of Catalytic Generators, adds: “Our goal is to make ethylene the easiest part of the ripening process. When operators can apply ethylene reliably and predictably, they can focus on serving their customers and scaling their operations with confidence.”

Anthony Serafino, highlighted the importance of partnership in their operations: “The biggest thing that made our relationship with Catalytic Generators so strong is that they’re a family organization, just like us, and they truly understand our values. When you pick a vendor, you have to know what they stand for. We know what Catalytic Generators stand for, and our priorities and values align. That’s what makes working with them so straightforward and dependable.”

He adds: “Trust and communication are pivotal in this business. For me, the key question is simple: are they going to be there for you tomorrow? With Catalytic, we believe they are. A relationship is not built overnight — it’s built on consistency. As we scale, we need to know our partners can scale with us. Catalytic can support one chamber or 100 — and that gives us confidence as we grow.”

Exp. Group began its ripening operations in 2013 with just seven rooms. Today, the company operates across two facilities using Catalytic Generators’ solutions. In North Bergen, New Jersey, 35 ripening chambers rely on the system to manage precise ethylene dosing for bananas and plantains. The McAllen, Texas facility, which supports national distribution, operates under the same approach, ensuring consistency across locations.

Anthony Serafino explains: “As your ripening scales, so do your needs. You need a vendor that grows with you. We started small, and Catalytic Generators was there. As we expanded, they scaled with us.”

Scalable, Dependable Partnership

Over the years, Catalytic Generators has been at Exp. Group’s side through every stage of growth. The company’s technology enables Exp. Group to meet diverse client specifications, from slower ripening cycles for customers with larger inventory capacity to faster color turns for high-density urban outlets.

Anthony explains: “It’s not a one-size-fits-all model. One client may want greener fruit and a slower cycle because they hold more inventory. Another client, operating smaller stores in Manhattan, needs higher color fruit with quicker turnover. We manage 15 to 20 different customers, and each one has specific expectations. Catalytic understands that, and the system allows us to adapt without losing consistency.”

Serafino also values Catalytic Generators’ focused approach. “We prefer working with a company that does one thing extremely well,” he notes. “Ethylene works. It’s cost-effective, scalable and proven.”

He adds: “Clients don’t want surprises. They want to know that if they request a certain color, they’re going to get exactly that. With Catalytic, quality and predictability are constant — and that’s critical for our growth. When you’re moving close to a million boxes a week, consistency isn’t optional — it’s essential.”

Catalytic Generators also brings global experience to the partnership. The company operates across the world, navigating different regulatory frameworks and operational requirements. It invests in safety and compliance, ensuring all systems meet international standards and are approved in key regions. As Anthony Serafino observed, Catalytic Generators “understands the needs of all customers – whether EU-based, Asia-based, or U.S.-based like us.” This global expertise gives customers confidence that the system is safe, compliant, adaptable, and consistent wherever it is deployed.

The partnership between Exp. Group and Catalytic Generators reflects a long-term approach rooted in trust, transparency and operational alignment. Both companies prioritize safety, efficiency and continuous improvement. Catalytic Generators provides reliable, scalable systems that enable Exp. Group to meet its ambitious distribution goals.

Supporting Exp. Group’s Last-Mile Strategy

As Exp. Group continues expanding its last-mile delivery capabilities, the focus remains on ensuring produce reaches customers in optimal condition. Serafino describes the company’s goal as building a differentiated distribution network — a model designed to combine ripening expertise with operational precision at the final stage of delivery.

“Last-mile delivery is where quality meets the consumer,” Serafino says. “That’s what made Amazon, Amazon. If you control that last step, you control the customer experience. Catalytic Generators allows us to ripen efficiently and reliably, so the fruit arrives at the right color and condition, every time.”

Looking ahead, Exp. Group plans to further expand its ripening capacity across new fulfillment centers. “We’re building a multi-billion-dollar organization,” Serafino adds. “Catalytic has been there every step of the way — and we expect them to continue as we grow.”

About Catalytic Generators

With over 50 years of experience, Catalytic Generators is a family-owned company dedicated exclusively to ethylene application systems and known for making ethylene easy, safe and cost-effective. Based in Norfolk, Virginia, USA, it operates across the globe, supplying fresh produce companies, grocery distribution centers, and growers with the tools to ripen avocados, bananas, tomatoes, and more. It helps customers simplify operations and achieve consistent, predictable results with its high-purity ethylene solutions backed by professional support, local distribution, and customized services. Catalytic Generators’ commitment to quality and customer partnership ensures a reliable and timely supply of ethylene for customers worldwide.