D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California and Driscoll’s are wrapping up their first full season of receiving, cooling and shipping the full line of Driscoll’s berries out of the D’Arrigo cooler in Spreckels, California. This collaboration has allowed for the freshest berry product to be shipped alongside Andy Boy commodities thus providing an unparalleled level of service to customers both domestically and internationally ensuring optimal quality and efficiency.
D’Arrigo and Driscoll’s vision began with the expansion of the original 100,000 square foot facility to a larger footprint of 152,000 square feet. This expansion has allowed both companies the ability to ship millions of cases of fruits and vegetables while minimizing their carbon footprint and effectively maximizing sustainability and efficiencies. The expansion also includes a 2.2 MW solar power system, the largest customer-owned net metered solar power project in Monterey County. This crucial resource makes great environmental and economic sense reducing energy costs, decreasing CO2 emissions and helping mitigate climate change.
Feedback regarding the relationship has been exceptional across customer outlets, which includes retail, foodservice and wholesale customers. “The Save Mart Companies has a long history of sustainable practices. By utilizing the synergies of D'Arrigo and Driscoll’s in one central location, we have reduced the carbon footprint on our inbound trucks. We have also reduced freight costs by ensuring trucks are at capacity. This is truly a great partnership because it's a win-win," said Ed Corvelo, Senior Manager of Fresh Procurement for The Save Mart Companies.
“From the moment that it was announced, the development of the shipping partnership between two of the best in their category was enthusiastically met by our team. The D’Arrigo / Driscoll’s cooperative has streamlined our logistics, eliminated miles and time which equates to savings, and is a step forward in customer-focused business. PRO*ACT is proud of our partnership with both companies, and see this innovation as one more way they are both working to serve us more effectively,” stated Joe Cimino, PRO*ACT Director of Procurement.
The D’Arrigo-Driscoll’s arrangement, along with the cross-dock consolidation solution, is designed to reduce the complexity of the logistics environment by identifying efficiencies within the procurement segment while lowering costs. The aim is to eliminate disruptions to customer operations by providing a consistent and efficient means to secure product at a single destination. “With daily pickups coming out of the D’Arrigo cooler, this collaboration greatly improves our operations in terms of time savings, costs savings, efficiency savings and ultimately, a better, fresher product for our end user,” says Steve Argiropoulos, Transport Logistic Manager at Canadawide.
Leaders of both companies echo the positive feedback given by customers. “Envisioning how the collaboration between D’Arrigo and Driscoll’s could benefit customers, and then seeing this vision become reality has been very gratifying,” says John D’Arrigo, President/CEO and Chairman of the Board of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California.
In addition, Scott Komar, Vice President of the Supply Chain, states, “Driscoll’s mission is to delight consumers with fresh, beautiful and delicious berries. We continue to seek solutions that improve our supply chain so we can optimize maintaining our fresh flavor and transport our berries in a more sustainable approach. These are exciting times and both companies look forward to building on this program to better serve customers.”
Contact:
Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos
D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of CA
Tel: 831.455.4315