William H. Kopke Jr., Inc. and Vision Import Group LLC enter into a joint venture

New York-based William H. Kopke Jr., Inc. and the founders of Vision Import Group LLC are entering into a new joint venture in which Kopke is the controlling member, according to a news release.

Vision Import Group specializes in the lime, lemon and mango import-export business. The new consortium will be known as Vision Global Group LLC, the release said.

Kopke and the principals of Vision Import Group, through their experience operating multi-generational, family-owned-and-operated businesses, bring over a century of produce expertise, knowledge and experience to customers and suppliers, according to the release. 

Through the joint venture, Vision Global Group LLC will bring an expanded, consistent and reliable supply of products and even higher levels of individualized customer service on which they have built their reputations as industry leaders, the release said.

Vision Global Group will innovate by simplifying procurement, coordinating communications and streamlining logistics, the release said.

Vision Import Group founders Raul Millan and Ronnie Cohen will hold an ownership position at Vision Global Group and will be managing the strategy and day-to-day operations.

Vision Global Group LLC will be headquartered in New Jersey and be complimented by their teams in Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida, the release said.

"We are excited to become partners in Vision Global Group LLC," William Kopke said in the release. "We have invested heavily in the citrus business, and this complimentary alignment creates marketing and logistical synergies, which will bring value to our industry partners.” 

As an importer of clementines, navels, and lemons, adding a 12-month imported Mexican and Colombian lime position will fill a strategic role for Kopke, the release said. The year-round mango business from Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Mexico will also complement the Kopke strategy to supply exciting new products that integrate with its current commodity basket, according to the release. 

William H. Kopke Jr., Inc. has recently invested in its 178,000 sq. foot distribution center (KDC Group LLC) in Vineland, N.J., which sits on 35 acres. KDC Group can pre-cool and re-pack citrus, cherries, grapes, stone fruit, berries, tropical fruit, apples and pears, and the release said additional investments at KDC are planned for 2023-24.  

The family is also partners in a full-service repack and cold storage distribution center in Long Beach, Calif. called Pacific International Cold Storage where they ship produce throughout the west coast. With investments in the transportation business through Charlotte's Express LLC, an asset-based carrier for its North American trucking business, Kopke completes the circle for its vertically integrated supply chain strategy, the release said.

"We are humbled and excited for the opportunity to partner with the Kopke family of companies,” Ronnie Cohen and Raul Millan said in a joint statement. “Kopke is a leader and innovator in fruit imports. Our new business venture will not only offer more product and service to customers, but it will provide suppliers with greater sales and distribution opportunities. Vision Global Group will have access to Kopke’s logistical network and marketing power, which is first class and highly efficient. As lime, mango and lemon specialists, we will have a significant footprint in all areas of operations, domestic, export and imports. We look forward to the growth Vision Global Group can achieve with the Kopke family." 

Both companies will exhibit at booth no. 5557 at IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Fla.