Naturipe Farms has named Clay Wittmeyer the new Director of International Sales.
Wittmeyer, with a successful 27 year career at Sun World International, managed international sales for grapes, summer fruit and citrus. During his tenure at Sun World he developed numerous sales programs and built extensive relationships with retailers and importers in over 30 countries. Wittmeyer has extensive knowledge of the unique distribution structures of the export markets, phyto-sanitary regulations and programs, freight and logistics, international credit / financial systems and working with the USDA.
“When the opportunity came up to work with Naturipe Farms, a leading berry grower with a premier sales and marketing organization, I jumped at the chance,” said Wittmeyer. “I am extremely enthusiastic about working with Naturipe and look forward to further expanding the business and showing growers the value of exporting overseas and the relationships that can be built in the process.”
Naturipe Farms and its partners have successfully shipped to key international markets for many decades, starting with California strawberries over 50 years ago. “The consumer demand for healthy, good for you, vibrant, flavorful berries is expanding globally” added Naturipe Farms CEO, Dwight Ferguson. “I am pleased that the international markets recognize the grower-owned Naturipe Farms brand as a premium trusted trademark and an organization of growers who have made extensive commitments in new plant breeding programs, expanded value added products and facilities and innovations. With the addition of Clay to our talented sales teams, we will be able to meet the demands of an expanding global marketplace.”
“This is a new position at Naturipe Farms and reflects the ongoing opportunities and expanding demand for grower direct seller / buyer relationships” said Robert Verloop, Executive Vice President at Naturipe Farms. “Clay is a seasoned, well respected sales professional. His primary responsibilities will be to expand sales, distribution and increase penetration of Naturipe berries with current and prospective customers in international markets. I am very excited to have him join Naturipe as a member of our management team and lead this effort.”
Wittmeyer began his new position on July 8th and is located in the Naturipe Farms Salinas, California office.
Naturipe Farms
