SALINAS, CA – This fall marks nearly a full season of a new and intensive cooperative between industry leaders D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California and Driscoll’s. The produce titans have spent the last several months receiving, cooling, and shipping the full line of Driscoll’s berries out of the D’Arrigo cooler in Spreckels, California.

“Envisioning how the collaboration between D’Arrigo and Driscoll’s could benefit customers, and then seeing this vision become reality has been very gratifying,” stated John D’Arrigo, President and CEO and Chairman of the Board of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California.

The collaboration is intended to ensure optimal quality and efficiency, and better serve customers domestically and international by storing and shipping the freshest possible berries alongside Andy Boy commodities.

D’Arrigo and Driscoll’s first began the partnership by expanding a 100,000-square-foot facility in Spreckels to 152,000-square-feet. The expansion allowed both companies to more effectively ship millions of cases of fruits and vegetable while minimizing their carbon footprint and maximizing sustainability and efficiencies. The expansion included a 2.2 MW solar power system, the largest of its kind in Monterey County, further reducing CO2 emissions in order to help mitigate climate change.

“The Save Mart Companies has a long history of sustainable practices. By utilizing the synergies of D'Arrigo and Driscoll’s in one central location, we have reduced the carbon footprint on our inbound trucks. We have also reduced freight costs by ensuring trucks are at capacity. This is truly a great partnership because it's a win-win," said Ed Corvelo, Senior Manager of Fresh Procurement for The Save Mart Companies.

Customers and logistics partners have been impressed with the results of the parternship, too.

Scott Komar, Vice President of the Supply Chain, added, “Driscoll’s mission is to delight consumers with fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. We continue to seek solutions that improve our supply chain so we can optimize maintaining our fresh flavor and transport our berries in a more sustainable approach. These are exciting times and both companies look forward to building on this program to better serve customers.”

Furthermore, the partnership is engineered to both lower costs and reduce the complexity of the logistics environment by identifying efficiencies within the procurement segments. The two companies aim to provide consistent and efficient means to secure product at a single destination thus eliminating disruption to customer operations.

“With daily pickups coming out of the D’Arrigo cooler, this collaboration greatly improves our operations in terms of time savings, costs savings, efficiency savings, and ultimately, a better, fresher product for our end user,” stated Steve Argiropoulos, Transport Logistic Manager at Canadawide.

“From the moment that it was announced, the development of the shipping partnership between two of the best in their category was enthusiastically met by our team. The D’Arrigo-Driscoll’s cooperative has streamlined our logistics, eliminated miles and time, which equates to savings, and is a step forward in customer-focused business. PRO*ACT is proud of our partnership with both companies, and see this innovation as one more way they are both working to serve us more effectively,” stated Joe Cimino, PRO*ACT Director of Procurement.

For more developments on this continuing partnership, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

Driscoll's D'Arrigo Bros.