WENATCHEE, Wash. – Stemilt was presented the Legacy Award in Technology by NCW Tech Alliance, a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to bringing people and technology resources together while supporting entrepreneurs, STEM education, and technology in North Central Washington. Stemilt was the only business to receive this award and originally received its Innovator Award from NCW Tech (formerly known as Greater Wenatchee Area Technology Alliance [GWATA]) in 2016.
“The Stemilt team and I are honored to receive this recognition,” states West Mathison, Stemilt president. “We have many people to thank including my late grandfather and Stemilt founder Tom Mathison, my uncle Hans van Someren Greve, as well as the whole Stemilt team for their hard work and dedication. They are the ones who are responsible for helping us achieve new heights of innovation and technology throughout our organization.”
Stemilt received the award for their commitment to innovation through continuous improvement by utilizing data insights and technology to provide excellent service. Stemilt brought many of their operations to full automation using modern technology practices, including the implementation of the Fresh Cube Distribution Center. The Fresh Cube houses a state-of-the-art automated storage and retrieval system that transformed inventory management and fruit order fulfillment. The company’s Ultimate Cherry Line is another success story as it brought automated packaging capabilities to fulfill high cherry demand during the summer season.
“Technology improved the industry dramatically, creating friendlier work environments that are less intensive,” explains Mathison. “Technology also helped us make better decisions that produce value for our customers, our company, our growers and our team members which all create job satisfaction, resulting in inspired and driven team members.”
According to NCW Tech Alliance’s write up, the NCW Tech Board of Directors are consistently impressed with Stemilt’s innovative practices and commitment to innovation. The write-up continued: “Fruit production isn’t often viewed by outsiders as a technology-driven industry, yet year-after-year, Stemilt continues to adopt new technologies and be a leader in the market. As a leader of the community, Stemilt also shares their expertise and insights with business leaders and educators – helping lift the entire region in technology adoption.”
Stemilt’s commitment to integrating technology into their everyday practices continues and according to Mathison, will continue to be part of their approach into the future.
“Technology is a great cultivator of our team members,” states Mathison. “We strive to get the best data possible into the hands of the people who are actually making the decision and doing the work. Not only does this improve the quality of the fruit, but it improves the lifestyle and the work of our people.”
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About Stemilt
Stemilt is a family-owned grower, packer, and shipper of tree fruit. Owned and operated by the Mathison family, Stemilt’s mission is to cultivate people and delight consumers with its World Famous Fruits. Stemilt is a leader in sweet cherries and organic tree fruits, and a key supplier of apples and pears. The company stewards an environmentally sustainable and socially responsible business through its Responsible Choice® program, which has been in place since 1989. For more information about Stemilt, visit www.stemilt.com.
