The Ruby Co., Buffalo Grove, Ill., remains in growth mode, said Josh Wolff, director of growth and strategy.
The company has been ramping up its hiring efforts in a number of key areas, he said. At the same time, the firm has been focused on commodity diversification and establishing qualified growing and packing partners across the country to help support its growth.
The company also uses its warehouse on the Chicago International Produce Market to support local and regional retailers, wholesalers and jobbers and to serve as a distribution point to help control freight rates.
“When it makes logistical sense, we’re bringing product into Chicago and warehousing it and then shipping it to the Northeast, Midwest and East Coast markets,” Wolff said.
Deploy Solutions Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Ruby Co., also supports the freight needs for the business and a wide range of customers and shippers, he said.
“Over the last few years, while it’s been a challenging market, it has been a good ancillary revenue and profit center,” he said.
The firm’s Sweet Mama label, a Ruby Co. subsidiary for watermelon and pumpkins, also continues to expand to support major large-scale retailers.
