Stemilt, a leading fruit grower/packer in the US, was established 60 years ago by Tom Mathison in Wenatchee, Washington. Currently, it is managed by his descendants, West and Tate Mathison, alongside Kyle Mathison. Over the past six decades, the fruit sector, with a notable emphasis on apples, has witnessed numerous advancements and innovations, enhancing the overall industry. Presently, the produce offered by Stemilt and similar entities represents a vital and cost-effective element of our dietary regimen. According to Statista, the US per capita consumption of fresh apples has remained between 15-20 lb. since 2000, while pear consumption has slightly decreased from 3 to 2.6 lb.
The origins of this fruit enterprise date back to 1893 when the Mathison family began homesteading in Washington. By 1914, they had established a 10-acre orchard cultivating apples, pears, and cherries. Tom Mathison, a third-generation family member, assumed control of the farm at 21 years old following his return from WWII and his father's untimely death in a farm accident. The farm faced financial difficulties due to the cooperative system's failure to maintain quality for the consumer market, leading to inadequate returns. Following a disappointing cherry crop return in 1958, Mathison initiated independent post-harvest handling and packing, significantly improving demand by delivering higher-quality fruit to retailers. In 1964, Stemilt Growers was founded to oversee the complete storage, shipping, and marketing processes of their produce.
As an independent packer and shipper, Stemilt built a strong reputation for quality. The company now manages fruit from 8,093.72 hectares across 2 states, involving a mix of owned properties, land managed by a farm management company, and areas operated by local growers, focusing on apples, cherries, pears, and stone fruits.
The fruit industry, especially the apple sector, has evolved considerably during Stemilt's operational years. The introduction of Controlled Atmosphere Storage in the 1960s transformed apples from a seasonal to a year-round product. Further enhancements in apple storage quality were achieved two decades ago with the deployment of SmartFresh™ storage technology. This evolution towards a continuous supply model positioned apples in direct competition with tropical fruits like bananas, leading the industry to concentrate on select apple varieties, notably Red Delicious.
Source: Forbes