After 65 years in business, Californian stonefruit company Ballantine Produce Co has closed its doors, leaving questions about the future marketing of its fruit supplies.
The closure later last week was precipitated by executive changes and a loss of confidence from suppliers, according to reports by The Packer.
Ballantine was a partner in the Ripe ‘N Ready, Zeal and Treehouse Kids stonefruit brands, along with SunWest Fruit Co and Fowler Packing Inc. A fourth partner of Ripe ‘N Ready, George Bros Inc, shut down in December.
SunWest and Fowler will not take over responsibility for Ballantine’s supplies, said SunWest’s vice president and general manager Dean Thonesen.
Mr Thonesen told The Packer the loss of Ballantine would not hurt the Ripe ‘N Ready, Zeal or Treehouse Kids brands.
“Fowler Packing and SunWest increased acreage substantially in the past year,” Mr Thonesen said. “We have plenty of product to fill orders for Ripe ‘N Ready, Zeal and Treehouse Kids.”
What will happen to Ballantine’s remaining suppliers is uncertain at this stage.
The lead up to the company’s closure began in March, when John Pelton joined Ballantine as its CEO, reported The Packer.
Following his arrival, chief operating officer Jerry DiBuduo and vice president of sales Steve Ryan were fired in April.
Walt Jones, a Reedley-based grower, then switched his stonefruit supplies from Ballantine to Trinity Fruit Sales Co.
“His departure was the catalyst. Other growers became concerned and some suppliers declined to extend credit,” said an unnamed source close to Ballantine.
Ballantine had two packhouses, a peak staff of 600 workers and in recent years had been shipping about 9m cartons of Californian, Chilean and Mexican stonefruit, apples and Asian pears.
Work in Ballantine’s orchards is reportedly continuing, but who will pack and market the fruit in unknown.
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