Three Michigan Apple Packers Join Forces to Create All Fresh GPS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America (Free-Press-Release.com) August 19, 2011 -- Belding, Michigan and Deerfield, Michigan, August 18, 2011 – Three family-owned apple packers shippers or growers are joining forces to create a larger organization designed to meet the needs of today’s larger retailers while expanding the reach of Michigan apple growers.

The new sales organization, All Fresh GPS, LLC will market, sell, distribute and merchandise fresh apples throughout the United States and into the global market. Ridgeking Apple Packing & Storage has joined forces with Michigan Fresh Marketing, LLC and Applewood Orchards, Inc. to create a new company dedicated to better serving customers and expanding into new markets.

The formation of All Fresh GPS will capitalize on the three companies’ long history and strong relationships with Michigan growers, packers and shippers – hence the GPS. Combined, the new partners own and operate more than 1,500 acres of apples and represent more than 75 family-owned-and-operated grower operations – or more than 20 percent of all fresh apples grown in the state of Michigan.

Tom Curtis, currently the president of Michigan Fresh Marketing and Scott Swindeman, currently vice president of Applewood Orchards will assume the leadership roles as co-managing directors of All Fresh GPS.

“This partnership has grown out of an successful 40+ year relationship between Ridgeking, Michigan Fresh and Applewood,” Curtis explained. “ The formation of All Fresh GPS will give us the fruit, facilities, equipment and distribution capabilities to serve the needs of larger retailers that were beyond the individual reach of Applewood and Michigan Fresh.

“As a larger organization, All Fresh GPS will also be better able to serve growers through better utilization of their fruit, use of enhanced technology and expanded distribution networks.

Based in Belding, Mich., Michigan Fresh Marketing represents a third-generation apple packing organization, Ridgeking Apple Packing & Storage, and specializes in the sales and marketing of fresh Michigan produce, especially apples.

Based in Deerfield, Mich., Applewood Orchards is a third-generation grower, packer, shipper and marketer that ships apples throughout the eastern United States and to several countries.

“All Fresh GPS is committed to providing fresh products of the best quality to our customers,” Swindeman said. “Michigan grows some of the finest apples in the world, and we are focused on expanding our footprint with deeper penetrations into markets beyond Michigan – and beyond America’s borders.”

“As a new company, we are dedicated to establishing business relationships that nurture a spirit of partnership between growers, packers, shipper sand retailers that enables all companies to continue to grow and succeed. We look forward to expanding our network and growing the presence of Michigan apples in the retail market.”

About All Fresh GPS, LLC

Launched in 2011, All Fresh GPS, LLC markets, sells, distributes and merchandises fresh apples throughout the United States and into the global market. Ridgeking Apple Packing & Storage has joined forces with Michigan Fresh Marketing, LLC and Applewood Orchards, Inc. to create a new company dedicated to better serving customers and expanding into new markets. Combined, All Fresh GPS owns and operates more than 1,500 acres of apples and represent more than 75 family-owned-and-operated grower operations – or more than 20 percent of the fresh apples grown in Michigan.
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