Nogales, AZ and Edinburg,TX – On the heels of hiring its first Texas-based salesperson last month, Farmer’s Best had also made a major location decision for its expanding distribution center in this area.
The company – a leading grower/shipper of Mexico produce – has announced a relocation to expanded facilities within the new Rio Grande Produce Park in Edinburg, near the major McAllen Port of Entry.
Their new dedicated space within the extensive warehouse structure is currently under build-out and slated to be completed in two weeks. Additional land has also been secured by the company for future expansion, according to Farmer’s Best general manager Leonardo Tarriba.
“This move means we are in full control of every facet of our operations in Texas.“ Tarriba notes. “With our commitment to this state-of-the-art facility and the hiring of administrative staff, plus additional warehouse workers in just the past few weeks, the message is clear: we’re here to stay and to grow!”
The company previously leased space and warehouse services within Loop Cold Storage and has had a presence in the area since the mid-1990s. Tarriba, who splits his time between the company’s Nogales, AZ and the new facility here, has seen shipments of his company’s winter vegetables via McAllen increase over one third in just the past season.
“We’re just starting the mango season, so we expect to easily increase that percentage.” he explains, adding that they will be increasing overall shipments via this port over the next seasons.
Creating jobs in the community is also a commitment for the company. Edinburg, population of over 79,000, has a young and trained workforce, a local university branch, and dynamic business climate.
Local native Mario René Cardenas [in a separate release] was just hired last month to head the mango season activities. In addition to the six new administrative and warehouse positions, additional workers will be brought on board in the next few months.
The company’s Nogales operations – which also expanded during 2011 — will continue to operate in full mode. They plan to continue to have full line of product from all producing areas.
“We’re proud and excited about this new direction and our facilities here, “Tarriba concludes. “For our customers, especially those in Texas, the Mid-West and the Eastern U.S., it means even greater service and continued commitment to the best.”
Farmer’s Best is a vertically-integrated agribusiness operation, shipping to the U.S. and Canada for over 40 years. They grow mainly cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, beans, squash, grapes, mangos, and watermelons, among other fruits and vegetables, distributing from warehouses in Nogales, AZ. and now its own facilities in McAllen, Texas.
Source: Farmer’s Best
