Coachella, CA — Prime Time International, a grower, packer and shipper of multi-colored peppers from Mexico and the United States, recently announced its acquisition of an 80,000 square foot packing house and distribution facility in Somis, California. Acquiring the asset is consistent with Prime Time’s long-term strategic plan.
As a well known and long standing leader in pepper production in the area, Prime Time elected to move from its long termed leased facility to a location which could accommodate the projected future diversification and expansion. “We reached a point where we needed to expand our operations and take control of our own destiny in this important region, explains Mike Way, Managing Member at Prime Time. “This purchase enables us to expand not only our packing and shipping operations, but also to develop a line of services for other produce industry companies including handling, cooling, consolidation and cross docking,” Way adds.
The modern facility, on sixteen centrally located acres, was previously a tomato packing operation, owned by Gargiulo Incorporated of Naples, Florida. An extensive remodel campaign is now under way. It includes: converting the packing operations to be compatible with peppers, installation of new bagging equipment, converting to a forced air cooling system, and installing new storage racking to increase capacity.
“We expect to have all the work completed by the end of the year and to hit the ground running in 2015. This is a part of a long term strategic plan to continue to grow our pepper business and meet the expanding needs of our customers,” notes Jeff Taylor, Prime Time Managing Member.
Carl Sam Maggio and Mark Nickerson, founders and principle owners in the company, will preside over the transition insuring a first class facility that is fully compliant with all current requirements as the end result.
In addition, Prime Time announced the appointment of Morgan Fragoso to the position of Shipping/Cooler Manager at the new facility. Fragoso held a similar position for a dozen years with Cal-Sun in Oxnard prior to joining Prime Time.
About Prime Time International
Prime Time International, based in Southern California's Coachella Valley, grows, packs and ships multi-colored peppers from throughout the United States and Mexico. The company has created an impressive agricultural infrastructure to supply premium colored peppers 365 days a year to the marketplace. Prime Time grows both open-field and hothouse peppers. On a seasonal basis, Prime Time produces tomatoes, watermelons, green beans and corn. For additional information, visit www.primetimeproduce.com.
Source: Prime Time International
