Selling land and shedding jobs, Kern County grape and cherry grower Vincent B. Zaninovich & Sons Inc. is in the midst of what appears to be a major restructuring of its business.
The Los Angeles-based Wonderful Co. is in the process of purchasing farmland owned by Kern County grape and cherry grower Vincent B. Zaninovich & Sons Inc.
In a statement March 19, The Wonderful Co. did not say how much land it was purchasing from Richgrove. Calif.-based VBZ.
Meanwhile, Bakersfield.com (The Bakersfield Californian) reported that Vincent B. Zaninovich & Sons Inc. is expected to restructure its operations and cut a substantial amount of jobs. The report also said Vincent B. Zaninovich & Sons farms more than 6,000 acres near Delano, but did not say how much was being sold. A spokesman for the company could not immediately be reached for comment March 19.
Bakersfield.com reported the company plans to cut up to 542 jobs in Kern and Tulare counties, including about 380 field workers, and has informed county officials the layoffs will be on or after May 4.
In a statement to Bakersfield’s 23ABC, John Zaninovich, president of VBZ, said the restructuring is important for the future of the more than 80-year old company.
