Vertically integrated fruit importer, exporter and distributor William H. Kopke Jr., Inc. and the founders of Vision Import Group LLC are entering into a new joint venture in which Kopke is the controlling member. Vision Import Group works in the lime, lemon and mango import-export business. The new consortium will be known as Vision Global Group LLC.
Through this new joint venture, Vision Global Group LLC will bring an expanded, consistent and reliable supply of products.
While remaining focused on customer preferences and requirements, Vision Global Group will simplify procurement, coordinate communications and streamline logistics. Raul Millan and Ronnie Cohen will hold an ownership position at Vision Global Group and will manage the strategy and day-to-day operations. Vision Global Group LLC will be headquartered in New Jersey and be complemented by teams in Arizona, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida.
"We are excited to become partners in Vision Global Group LLC," said William Kopke. "We have invested heavily in the citrus business, and this complementary alignment creates marketing and logistical synergies, which will bring value to our industry partners.”
As an importer of clementines, navels and lemons, adding a 12-month imported Mexican and Colombian lime position will fill a strategic role for Kopke. The year-round mango business from Brazil, Peru, Ecuador and Mexico will also complement the Kopke strategy to supply new products that integrate with its current commodity basket.
William H. Kopke Jr., Inc. has recently invested in its 178,000 sq. foot distribution center (KDC Group LLC), which sits on 35 acres. KDC Group can pre-cool and repack citrus, cherries, grapes, stone fruit, berries, tropical fruit, apples and pears. Additional investments at KDC are planned for 2023-2024.
The family also partners in a full-service repack and cold storage distribution center in Long Beach, California called Pacific International Cold Storage where it ships produce throughout the West coast. With investments in the transportation business through Charlotte's Express LLC, an asset-based carrier for its North American trucking business, Kopke completes the circle for its vertically integrated supply chain strategy.
"We are humbled and excited for the opportunity to partner with the Kopke family of companies,” said Ronnie Cohen and Raul Millan in a joint statement. “Our new business venture will not only offer more product and service to customers, but it will provide suppliers with greater sales and distribution opportunities. Vision Global Group will have access to Kopke’s logistical network and marketing power, which is first-class and highly efficient. As lime, mango and lemon specialists, we will have a significant footprint in all areas of operations, domestic, export and imports. We look forward to the growth Vision Global Group can achieve with the Kopke family."
Both companies will exhibit at booth #5557 at IFPA’s Global Produce & Floral Show in Orlando, Florida.
For more information:
Tyler Wolowicz
William H. Kopke Jr., Inc.
[email protected]
https://kopkefruit.com/
