VALENCIA, CA – As both companies look to move towards growth, Sunkist Growers and its sister cooperative, Fruit Growers Supply Company (FGS), have consolidated their management structure. 

“Sunkist Growers and Fruit Growers Supply are sister cooperatives that service the same constituencies,” said Chairman of the Sunkist Board of Directors, Gerald Denni. “A shared management structure will increase efficiencies in both organizations and drive a culture that best serves our membership.” 

Moving forward, the companies will remain legally separate entities, but with a shared leadership structure. According to a press release, Russ Hanlin will serve as President and CEO of both organizations.

In light of the differing natures of the two cooperative’s business activities, Chief Operating Officers at both companies will continue to manage the day-to-day operations. John Striff will serve as COO of Sunkist Growers, and Ted Pajak as FGS’s.

The companies’ legal, finance, information technology, human resources, and government affair services will be shared across the two cooperatives. 

The Sunkist cooperative of family farms offers more than 40 fresh citrus varieties, and has thousands of grower members in California and Arizona. FGS was established in 1907 by the same growers who formed the Sunkist marketing cooperative, and now offers its vertically-integrated manufacturing, equipment design, irrigation services, and more throughout the industry.

Sunkist Growers Fruit Growers Supply Company