Last updated on January 10th, 2023
Glennville, Georgia-based G&R Farms has installed a new grading and packing line. The project has been in the works for eight years and is expected to be in full operation in March.
The new grading equipment is more precise, maximizing packing efficiency and product quality almost 80 percent faster. It optimizes accuracy in sizing and provides processing, resulting in less mechanical damage to the onion. Due to the accuracy of the sizer, more uniformity can be found in pack sizes as well, allowing the company to ship exact customer specs noted in their preferences.
“Over the years, we have seen the onion industry suffer losses from inconsistent size and quality issues not caught on the sorting and packing lines,” said Fabian Murillo, shipping manager/inventory control supervisor.
“Our new line challenges nearly every obstacle with boosted accuracy and increased speed in packing. This assurance will allow us to process orders on demand ensuring we’re providing the freshest, most reliable products.”
With inflation still ever-present and top-of-mind for everyone in the supply chain, the enhancements will allow for continued competitive pricing through added efficiency and accuracy of the grader.
“As we closed out 2022 with record sales, we continue to position ourselves for success in 2023 by offering the best in service and innovation to our customers,” said Blake Dasher, CEO. “This is no time to rest, and we’ve already got our eye on our next big advancement. At G&R, we’re always looking for ways to push ahead and improve our processes and technology.”
As a third-generation family farm, G&R Farms began in Southeast Georgia with a small farm in 1945. Today, the organization has grown to more than 5,000 acres encompassing several crops with a main focus on sweet onions. G&R Farms has been growing, packing, marketing and shipping sweet onions for nearly seven decades.