Key Takeaways:
- Sunkist Growers and Fruit Growers Supply Company to reorganize under one parent cooperative
- New entity, Sunkist Growers, Inc., will serve as holding company effective November 1, 2025
- Boards of both companies approved a new five-year strategic plan
- Leadership will draw from both organizations to ensure continuity
Sunkist and Fruit Growers Supply to unify operations
Sunkist Growers, Inc., a citrus cooperative founded in 1893, announced that it and Fruit Growers Supply Company, its sister supply company founded in 1907, will reorganize into a new California cooperative effective November 1, 2025. The new parent cooperative, also named Sunkist Growers, Inc., will serve as the holding company for both organizations.
“We are excited to bring together the deep sales and marketing experience of Sunkist with the supply chain expertise of Fruit Growers Supply. This will allow for a more seamless experience for both customers and growers,” said Jim Phillips, President and CEO of Sunkist and Fruit Growers Supply.
Strategic rationale behind the reorganization
The move follows a shared management structure adopted in 2017, which increased alignment between the two organizations. Both companies cited significant benefits from closer cooperation and emphasized that the new structure will strengthen efficiency, innovation, and future growth opportunities in the citrus sector.
Gerald Denni, Chairman of the Board of Sunkist and Fruit Growers Supply, stated, “[The two companies] have been operating as sister companies for over a century, and we anticipate this reorganization will allow the combined entity to better prepare for a rapidly evolving citrus market. With the changes that have been made over the past several years, we are in an excellent position to enter the next phase of growth as one company.”
Five-year plan and leadership continuity
The boards of both companies approved a new five-year strategic plan to provide a clear roadmap for growth and transformation. The leadership team of the parent cooperative will include executives from both organizations to ensure stability and continuity for customers, growers, and employees.
