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Joseph P. Sullivan & Company, Inc., of Ayer, MA, and Vermont Apple
Orchards, Inc., of Westminster Station, VT, have announced plans to merge
effective July 1, 2001. The new company will be one of the largest
marketers of McIntosh apples in the United States and will operate as
Joseph P. Sullivan & Company, Inc. (JPS). JPS will also be able to
significantly expand its ability to offer other popular New England
varieties such as Cortland, Empire, Eastern Red Delicious, and Rome.
"This will allow us to aggressively and efficiently market McIntosh apples," says Edward J. O'Neill Jr., president of J. P. Sullivan. "By combining forces we will be in a better position to compete in a marketplace that increasingly emphasizes volume and ease of distribution. The results should benefit all of New England's apple growers." In recent years, the two companies have worked closely together to satisfy the growing needs and requirements of their domestic and overseas retailers. J. P. Sullivan and Vermont Apple share a dedication to quality and customer service and their merger will create the most efficient service-oriented sales organization in the Northeast, says O'Neill. The two companies currently pack more than two million bushels of the region's annual crop of just over five million bushels. Since both companies use the same sales order and inventory software, they expect a seamless transition into a single entity. This will take place in time for the 2001 crop, says O'Neill. All brands and private labels, including Yankee, Minuteman and Vermont Apple, will continue to be available. Steve Lacasse, currently general manager of Vermont Apple Orchards, will focus his efforts in the new company on domestic sales, joining the existing JPS sales team of John Iannacci, Ed O'Neill, Ned O'Neill, Russell Sullivan and Gordon Waterman. "Steve will work with our salesmen on expanding sales, with the full support of our existing packing and logistics team," says O'Neill. For more information, call Ned O'Neill at 800-370-2700, Ext. 29
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