IMG Citrus announced the addition of Giorgio Peirano to its leadership team. Originally from Chile, Peirano spent much of his career in Europe and South America as an exporter of citrus and other produce including kiwis, onions and avocados. In addition to his 20 years of experience, he holds a degree in Agronomic Engineering and a Masters in Business Administration. Peirano will focus on strategic partnerships and supply chain integration for IMG Citrus from grower relationships to business development.
The leadership team at IMG Citrus includes the heads of growing, packing, sales, imports and technology. “All major decisions relating to strategy, investment and P&L are made collaboratively by the leadership team,” says Melanie Ressler co-CEO of IMG Enterprises, the parent company of IMG Citrus. “This ensures efficient execution and deeper integration across operations.” At the top, IMG Citrus is led by three co-CEOs who share authority and responsibility in a similar manner. “Collaborative leadership based on trust and transparency leads to better decision-making,” says Ressler. “We see this as a model for how we work both internally and externally.”
Giorgio Peirano joined the IMG Citrus team in January 2023.
Indeed, over the past seven years, IMG Citrus has built an alternative model for citrus imports into the United States based on this approach. “We use our knowledge as a Florida grower to select reliable and quality-focused suppliers,” says Sydney Allison, director of sales. “We use our knowledge as a global marketer to select successful retailers. It’s a three-way partnership.”
IMG Citrus believes its model can reduce costs and increase quality for the consumer. “In some respects, the traditional import model is more likely to build a wall between producers and retailers than to build a bridge,” says Allison. “Our approach uses transparency to deepen partnerships and surface opportunities for reducing cost and improving logistics in the supply chain.”
IMG Citrus co-CEOs Melanie Ressler and Timothee Sallin along with director of sales Sydney Allison have developed long-term partnerships with their South American growers, visiting often to share farming practices and create strong retailer programs.
Peirano is intimate with the company’s partnership model for imports having worked for Propal, IMG Citrus’ primary partner in Chile. “I have been a part of this strategy for the past seven years working closely with IMG Citrus and Propal to develop the Southeast market for Chilean citrus,” says Peirano. “I am excited to continue this project and to participate in the sales of IMG Citrus Florida crop to retailers in the U.S. and around the world.”
For more information:
Caraline Jones
IMG Citrus
Tel: +1 (352) 429-6955
caraline.jones@imgcitrus.com
www.imgcitrus.com