Dovex Joins Stemilt

Already one of the largest fruit grower/shippers in North America, Stemilt, announced this week that it will join forces with another Wenatchee, WA grower, Dovex Fruit Company, to become the leading tree fruit growing, packing and marketing operation in the nation.

“Stemilt has embarked on a strong pattern of growth over the past decade, and we are excited to continue this growth by bringing Dovex into our operations,” said West Mathison, Stemilt president, in a press release. “By integrating the strengths of our two companies, we look to continue delivering premium fruits to the marketplace, while extending the programs and services we provide to our valued customers.”

Through the deal, Dovex Marketing and Packing will be combined into Stemilt’s operations, and the high-quality fruit that both companies are known for will be marketed under the Stemilt label. Dovex is best known for its organic fruit, an area in which Stemilt has made substantial strides in recent years.

Stemilt will gain approximately 175,000 bins of fruit storage and a state-of-the-art apple packing facility. The Dovex facility neighbors Stemilt’s primary packing and shipping facility, Olds Station. The close proximity of the two packing facilities is expected to drive continuity into Stemilt’s operations, said Mathison.

On the farming side, Dovex Orchards will become a grower for Stemilt, adding to the company’s growth in apples, pears, cherries, stone fruit and organics over the past decade. The combination with Dovex strengthens Stemilt’s leadership in Washington, with its own manifest and through existing marketing partnerships with Douglas Fruit and Peshastin Hi-Up. In total, Stemilt will have an excess of 17,000 acres owned by itself and its marketing partners.

In addition, Jay Fulbright, general manager of Dovex Fruit Company, will join the Stemilt team. Mauro Felizia, executive vice president of Dovex Holding Company, will become a new member on Stemilt’s Board of Directors. The Dovex Export Company will continue to function independently.
“Dovex Fruit Company is excited to join the marketing strengths of Stemilt and leverage the proximity of our facilities,” said Jay Fulbright, general manager at Dovex.

Both Stemilt and Dovex are family-run companies that started decades ago. Stemilt was founded in 1964 by the late Tom Mathison, West Mathison’s grandfather, while the De Nadai family established Dovex in 1982. The De Nadai family has developed fruit operations worldwide for three generations.

“Stemilt and Dovex were founded on similar principles that directly relate to our mission of building consumer demand for tree fruit in order to deliver return to the land,” said West Mathison. “By bringing together the strengths of our organizations, Stemilt will be able to offer the most complete menu of products and services within our industry, providing great solutions for growers and retailers alike.”