Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers has added new capabilities in a new apple line packinghouse extension.
Don Reeves, Stemilt facility manager in production, said in a news release that the extension will help improve the quality of bagged apples with a second automated defect sorter.
“We have a great crop of apples on our hands and the extension of the apple line is really going to help elevate quality for our apple mix,” Reeves said. “There’s been more demand from consumers for bagged fruit. We knew we needed more automation to pack bagged apples, so we’ve extended our primary apple line at Olds Station in Wenatchee by 10,000 square feet. The apples already go through one defect sorter on the main line, but we’ve added a second sorter that will enhance the quality for apples going into bags.”
The addition of the line extension will help improve efficiency and accuracy operated by the same amount of people, according to the release.
Stemilt expects to see a 30% increase in its throughput, the release said, as employees who were once bagging apples by hand now operate the automated bagging machines.
“Efficiency is always important at Stemilt, but it’s key to our success during a larger volume apple crop,” Reeves said. “The line extension will help us deliver consistent and high-quality apples in packaging that makes apple sales convenient for retailers and shoppers.”
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Stemilt’s new crop of apples consists of consumer favorites, such as fuji, gala, Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and granny smith. Volume is expected up for all apples, including new club varieties like Cosmic Crisp and SweeTango, the release said.
Cosmic Crisp and SweeTango specifically are growing in organic volume, which presents the opportunity for retailers to share it with the organic consumer looking to try something new, according to the release.
With a range of sizing available, Stemilt can help retailers plan big Lil Snappers promotions on kid-size fruit in 3-pound pouch bags and bring value to the category through 5-pound Apple Lovers packs, the release said.
“Mother nature was good to us during the growing season which means there’s an abundance of opportunities for retailers to share quality, fresh crop apples with consumers,” Brianna Shales, Stemilt marketing director, said in the release. “Promotions are a great way to highlight Stemilt’s apple mix and bring up-and-coming varieties like SweeTango and Cosmic Crisp or longtime brands like Lil Snappers to consumers’ attention. Now is the perfect time to show apples off because we’re taking apple quality and flavor to the next level with our packing capabilities.”
