Bakersfield, Calif.–based Sun World International has moved its grape packing operations in-house.
The company said the facility will pack a significant portion of their California-grown product. In addition to Sun World’s facility location in Bakersfield, lines are installed in the firm’s partner facilities, La Jolla, Alta Vista, and Blanc, to allow the ability to pack in-house throughout the season, according to a news release.
The release said Sun World has taken a phased-in approach with the installation. Four lines are currently functioning, with the final three lines projected to be complete the last week of September.
“The investments being made by Sun World and our partners in this infrastructure are driving new innovation for our customers, the opportunity to differentiate themselves, and drive more margin and growth to the category,” vice president of domestic sales Jason Fuller said in the release.
The release said more benefits of the new packing operations include improved quality control, more flexibility on pack styles, and ability to pack to order at scale.
Director of in-house packing Cecilia Rivera and operations manager Ted Yukawa will lead the new packing operations, according to the release. Both joined the company in May this year.
