COLLINSVILLE, IL - As a trailblazer across tag and label applications, flexible packaging, and product identification, Sev-Rend® is making its mark this year in providing solutions throughout categories and demographics. With a desire to offer customer service excellence with a boots-on-the-ground approach, the company is excited to attend this year’s West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Desert, California. With the event quickly approaching, Brittnie Hammack, Director of Marketing, joined me to discuss the company’s messaging and value and what we can look forward to in Southern California.

“The Sev-Rend team has years of experience not only in the produce industry but in other market segments as well. Our team knows the grower/shipper side, the retail landscape, and packing equipment in depth. We help our customers design exciting things that work in the store and in the packing shed,” Brittnie shared. “Along with that, we also have value-added services that our customers benefit from such as an in-house graphics team, sustainability consulting, product development team, domestic production, 24/7 online ordering portal, and more. We’re a full-service provider that helps our customers achieve their goals.”

In addition to the company’s vision and progressive strategies for helping customers, Sev-Rend has also grown its family of solutions in recent months to add more tools and advantages.

“We recently acquired Wolarmann Enterprises in Toronto in April. This adds clipping wire and additional wine glass tag production to Sev-Rend. We want to continue to add products that excite both packers and retailers. Having our in-house sustainability consultants allows us to provide support to the growers/packers so they fully understand the retailer initiatives focused on sustainable packaging,” Brittnie detailed.

Mark Hoppenjans, Vice President of Sales and Sustainable Business, a colleague who will also be at the show, knows the challenges new and complex guidelines can pose for suppliers. As he shares, the team makes it a goal to simplify the rules and regulations for customers.

“2025 is approaching quickly, and we’re here to help the industry reach its goals,” Mark adds.

As part of that boots-on-the-ground approach, Sev-Rend likes to find ways to contribute—especially where a little fun is being had. This year, the company is sponsoring the West Coast Produce Expo’s pickleball tournament T-shirts, where competition is sure to light up the desert.

“Pickleball is really fun, easy to pick up, and people love doing it! The show activity events bring people together and provide a great opportunity to build relationships on a personal level outside of business. The produce industry, as we all know, is based around relationships. Sponsoring activities like this allows us to grow existing relationships and meet new people within the industry,” Brittnie tells me. “It also allows for brand exposure as we want people to know who Sev-Rend is and we're a materials leader for automated packing equipment. Not everybody knows all the things we do.”

Whether you are a pickleball ace, just picking up the game, or focusing on the trade show floor (hopefully a combo), business is sure to be buzzing in Palm Desert this month.