Mikey Hanks, director of operations at Washington Fruit and Produce, reflects on the depth of the relationship and the essential role Sinclair’s solutions play in supporting Washington Fruit Growers’ high-volume, precision operations.
‘Our relationship with Sinclair goes back more than 30 years and is based on a shared belief: delivering the best to our customers,’ says Hanks. “One of the best aspects of Sinclair’s service is their on-site presence. Their technicians follow strict preventive maintenance schedules, ensuring that labelling systems and applicators are always operating at peak performance. For us, that translates directly into less downtime and lower overtime costs. We know there are other suppliers in the market, but we don’t even consider them. Sinclair offers us the best package and is the one that works best.”
Supporting precision-based operations
Washington Fruit Growers uses 10 size sorters, which means that each applicator accounts for 10% of total production. With a daily performance target of 95% or higher, equipment uptime is critical. “If just one applicator breaks down, we don’t meet specifications. If two applicators break down, we fall well below specifications,‘ Hanks explained. ’With Sinclair, we consistently hit 95% and above without any worries. That reliability allows us to meet our goals and maintain operational excellence. Our goal is perfection on the apple line. Sinclair shares that commitment to 100% accuracy in labelling.”
Lauren Soleimani, Sinclair’s North American sales director, expressed her gratitude for the partnership and this milestone: “Washington Fruit embodies the kind of long-term partnership we strive for. For more than 30 years, we have grown together, advancing technology, improving uptime and supporting their commitment to quality. We are incredibly proud to be part of their operational success and look forward to continuing this journey towards excellence together.”
Leader in labelling in the apple category
Duncan Jones, senior marketing director at Sinclair, highlights the importance of the apple category within Sinclair’s customer portfolio. “Along with Washington Fruit Growers, we are fortunate to work with many other leading players in the apple industry around the world. These include Pink Lady, VOG, Melinda, VIP, Johnny Apple Seed, Stemilt, Hansen, Copefrut, Blue Whale, as well as leading retailers (for private labels) and many more,” he says.
“Brands play an essential role in the apple business, and Sinclair’s labelling systems are a way to ensure excellent brand image with sustainable credentials. Furthermore, as apples are labelled on a variety of high-speed automated labelling systems, both on trays and in-line, Sinclair’s customisation for each packing plant maximises operational efficiency in the apple business,” he added.
