Hidalgo, Texas-based GM Produce Sales LLC is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a mango importer.
Sue (Shiba) Duleba, director of operations for the marketer, said the company has grown from a small family business importing only 30 loads its first year into a mango powerhouse and industry leader. Founded in 1984 by Tom and Yuri Shiba and their son, Wade Shiba, GM Produce Sales has dedicated the past 40 years to growing, evolving and discovering new ways to help their clients, she said.
Crop outlook
Wade Shiba said Mexican mango volume was light, and markets elevated in recent weeks. Volume will increase seasonally in March, he said.
“The ataulfo season will really kick off with some volume in mid-March, and we expect larger-than-normal volumes beginning in mid-April on round fruit, providing excellent promotion opportunities,” Shiba said.
Good quality is a direct result from GM’s premier grading standards, company officials say.
GM Produce Sales says one of the benefits that set it apart from its competition is the company’s quality control inspection process at every loading point both at origin in Mexico and its headquarters in Hidalgo. The company’s in-house team of inspectors are some of the best and most seasoned in the industry, each with over 20 years of individual experience in grading and inspecting mangoes, company officials say.
Having representatives at every shipping point also provides the insight needed to forecast volume and sizing, important information for store promotions, according to company officials.
Every customer has specific conditions for receiving mangoes, and GM Produce says its quality control inspectors go the extra mile to ensure they meet their customer’s individual specifications and requirements. It is a testament to the tenure of GM Produce’s employees and their knowledge of each customer’s expectations and requirements, company officials say. Longevity in relationships with growers and customers alike is a huge asset and is used to improve customer service.
GM Produce prides itself on the Marathon Brand built by the marketer.
“We are proud of what we put in our Marathon boxes,” Wade Shiba said. “Taste is the most important quality for us. We want all of our customers and consumers to have an unforgettable eating experience and know they are getting a great-tasting mango! We want people to love what they taste and to come back over and over for more.”
Duleba said the company is excited about the unfolding Mexican mango season.
“We feel we excel when there are shortages of fruit,” she said. “The ability to control what is packed in our box is what we are all about. Providing our customers with a great product regardless of shortages is key for us. Meeting customer expectations is what we strive for. Knowing the stages of fruit and having hands-on representation at all packing sheds, keeps our quality controlled. This season is a perfect start for us to celebrate our 40th season, and continue to be ‘The Best In the Long Run.’”
Secrets to success
Many components have contributed to the company’s 40th Anniversary milestone, company officials say.
“Hard work is not the only reason for our success,” Duleba said. “It is a mutual respect for each other, great employees and our strong alignment between our suppliers, operations, and sales. We have everyone working on the same page to be the best in every aspect every single day. Many of our employees have been with us the majority of their lives. Over 80% of our staff has been with us over 15 years, and many have been with us over 25 years.
“We all gained our experience on the same floor and professionally grew up together. This includes our teams in both the U.S. and Mexico,” Duleba continued. “Many of their children have worked for us over the years and some are now permanent employees. The integration of family goes way beyond our own family blood lines and we are truly blessed to have this team that we call our GM family.”
