Two of the Northwest’s oldest marketing, growing, packing and shipping organisations are joining forces for the upcoming season. Diamond Fruit Growers of Odell, Oregon is to merge its sales and marketing programmes with Wenatchee, Washington-based Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers.

Oneonta will be the exclusive sales and marketing agent for all the products grown by Diamond Fruit Growers and its members. Oneonta is the marketing and sales arm of Starr Ranch Growers, which operates warehouses and orchards throughout Washington State and has sales offices in California, Oregon and China.

“We are very excited to have this opportunity,” said Dalton Thomas, president and owner of Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers. “This is the merger of two strong companies with longstanding histories of growing and marketing outstanding tree fruits here in the Northwest. The increased demand from our customers for a stronger pear category, increased cherry availability and the expertise of our sales and marketing staff’s will be most beneficial to both our companies as well as our customers. It is an exciting opportunity for us all”.

Al Gosiak, president and CEO of Diamond Fruit Growers, said the deal would provide greater value to the cooperative’s grower members.

“They `Oneonta` have a very strong programme, are industry leaders and are very prevalent in the market both here in the US as well as abroad. We are very excited about this partnership and the future,” he said.

The fruit will be packed using the Diamond label as well as a new label, Diamond Starr Growers, which will be introduced this season. The new label will help open future markets as well as expand on the existing markets currently served by the two companies.

“Both companies have strong label recognition,” said Oneonta’s director of marketing Scott Marboe. “The ability to capitalise on the strength of Diamond as well as incorporate our marketing strategies should create an excellent category presence for all. We have big plans and visions and we are excited to get the programmes in place and off and running.”

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