Ocean Mist Extends Chep Contract
Produce leader sees commercial and environmental benefits from pallet pooling
Castroville, CA - October 20, 2006 - Ocean Mist Farms, the country's leading grower of artichokes, is extending its contract for pallet pooling with CHEP for an additional three years, the two companies announced today. Ocean Mist will continue to use CHEP pallets for all shipments from its facilities here and in Coachella, CA, and from third party facilities in Huron, CA; Oxnard, CA; and Yuma, AZ, to major supermarket retailers, foodservice distributors and wholesalers in the United States and Canada.
Ocean Mist has been shipping 100% of its product on CHEP pallets since 2001. Before CHEP, the produce company used self-built one-way pallets, and determined the practice was too inefficient. In addition, several customers had encouraged the grower to move to CHEP.
"We have seen significant cost reductions and improvements in pallet quality as a result of using the CHEP program. We are making this commitment to CHEP because they have exceeded their commitment to us and to our customers," said Joe Pezzini, Vice President of Operations at Ocean Mist.
Pezzini added that while the CHEP program has provided Ocean Mist with many hard commercial benefits, the company also points to soft benefits, like environmental sustainability, as a key reason for the contract extension. "The fact that we're part of the vast CHEP pallet pool means that we're not adding to the waste stream and actually working to reduce overall timber use," he said.
"Ocean Mist Farms is one of several leading produce growers that are seeing a positive impact on the bottom line and doing the right thing for the environment by using the CHEP program. We appreciate their trust and will continue to provide the level of service Ocean Mist and its customers have come to expect from CHEP over the years," said Tim Smith, Vice President, New Business Development, CHEP USA.
About Ocean Mist Farms
Ocean Mist Farms was formed as the California Artichoke & Vegetable Growers Corporation in 1924. The company is the largest grower/shipper of fresh artichokes, and also grows a full line of fresh vegetables including lettuce, broccoli, green onions, leeks, spinach, cauliflower, celery and several varieties of leaf and romaine. Ocean Mist has growing operations in Northern and Southern California, Mexico and in Arizona. Additional information is available at www.oceanmist.com.
Per Ohstrom
Director, Marketing
CHEP
+1 407 355 6491
per.ohstrom@chep.com
Ronald Margulis
RAM Communications
+1 908 272 3930
ron@rampr.com
Kori Tuggle
Ocean Mist
+1 831 770 6435
korit@oceanmist.com
