CHICAGO, IL - Hazel Technologies has cultivated a new position that spells out growth on the horizon, naming Malkeet Padda as its Vice President of Postharvest Operations. In this freshly created role, Padda will lead Hazel’s global postharvest initiatives, developing data that demonstrates product performance, differentiation, and value propositions.

The announcement comes on the heels of the company’s forecasting an ambitious 2024, with a focus on extending shelf-life to more fresh produce categories through its innovative Hazel 100 and Hazel Breatheway product lines.

Now, Padda will stand in his new role when attending Fruit Logistica this week in what Hazel called an unofficial coming out party.

Prior to joining Hazel, Padda served as Director of Postharvest Physiology for Plenty Unlimited Inc. In that position, Padda developed the company’s postharvest program, according to a press release, assessing shelf-life performance of all products and collaborating across plant sciences, commercial, and operations to develop and optimize new packaging solutions. Padda’s experience also boasts having led the Global Postharvest Research and Development at Driscoll’s, Inc. There he was responsible for conducting research on physiological mechanisms of shelf-life and testing emerging technologies to maintain fruit quality—including, notably, the adoption of Hazel’s Breatheway® technology.

Parker Booth, Chief Executive Officer of Hazel Technologies, commented on the news.

“During his time at Driscoll’s, Malkeet became intimately familiar with the successful results and growth potential of Hazel’s Breatheway® technology, a knowledge base which makes him an ideal fit for this important new role at Hazel,” said Booth. “Beyond that, Malkeet has an incredible resume of research and sophisticated understanding of the industry that will be an asset to our company. We are excited to welcome Malkeet into our team.”

We congratulate Malkeet Padda on this new role, and you can too if you will be in Berlin for Fruit Logistica February 7–9. If so, swing by booth B-04 in Hall 23. While you are there, you can find out more about the exciting plans the company has in motion for this year.