FRESNO, CA (KMJ) Sun-Maid says it’s time for a change and is moving its corporate headquarters to Fresno.
Fresno is where the company was founded in back 1912, growing to become the world’s largest producer of raisins and dried fruits.
In 1964, the company built a new production facility in Kingsburg.
Chicagoan Harry Overly, Sun-Maid’s Chief Executive Officer and President, said the cost to consolidate in Fresno made more sense than building a new office on the Kingsburg site,
Sun Maid’s raisin processing plant will remain in Kingsburg with more than 700 employees.
Overly, hired in August 2018, to help rebrand the company’s image and appeal to a younger buyer, spoke about the move.
“It’s transformative for the business. It is a signal to the industry as well to our employees that we are going to invest in them, because the strategy is very different,” said Overly. “It’s been one tier point that has been, I would say under-nurtured, from a brand perspective, a bit of a sleepy cooperative, which is not uncommon that you see. Now, that we are really looking to really progress the brand, and take it, you know modernize it, make it compete within a much broader snacking arena.”
Overly says the new corporate headquarters will help inspire creativity and team work.
He said the cost to consolidate in Fresno made more sense than building a new office on the Kingsburg site.
Overy said the company’s raisin processing plant will remain in Kingsburg with more than 700 employees.
Sun Maid’s new headquarters will be at the Southwest corner of Palm and Herndon.
The move will take place late summer of 2019, involving more than 100 employees.
Listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern.
