PepsiCo has named Sunsweet Growers Inc. as Hot Fill Co-Packer of the Year for exhibiting superior achievements in quality and overall effectiveness across PepsiCo’s beverage supply chain. This marks the third time Sunsweet has been recognized as Co-Packer of the Year. The two previous awards were for the Yuba City, Calif., facility in 2007 and Fleetwood, Pa., facility in 2008.
Sunsweet, which has teamed with PepsiCo since 2002, was chosen from more than 70 co-packers for its achievements providing Hot Filled products to Pepsi-Cola North America’s supply chain. PepsiCo rated its packers based on quality, customer service and cost.
PepsiCo also honored Sunsweet Growers Inc. in 2011 with the Strategic Partner Award for achievements in efficiency and innovation across PepsiCo’s beverage business.
“We have supreme confidence in Sunsweet as they provide high quality, production efficiency and the development of innovative packaging to bring to the marketplace. Further, Sunsweet’s flexibility and skill in execution gives us an advantage over the competition,” according to PepsiCo’s Contract Manufacturing Group.
“We are pleased to recognize Sunsweet-Yuba City with our Co-Packer of the Year 2012, ” said Art Lawrence, VP of contract manufacturing at PepsiCo.
“Sunsweet is able to meet the challenge of PepsiCo’s commitment to high quality standards. In addition, our internal engineers and operations team developed a way to increase production efficiencies to open new opportunities for PepsiCo,” said Gene Dodson, Sunsweet VP of manufacturing.
“We have dedicated and innovative people committed to driving products to market quickly to align with key consumer trends” said Dane Lance, president of Sunsweet. “Our ability to provide production efficiencies while exceeding goals and tight deadlines is critical to staying ahead in the ultra-competitive beverage industry. When PepsiCo has introduced new products or has had immediate distribution needs, we have been able to respond rapidly while still maintaining standards of the highest quality.
“It is because of our highly dedicated employees that we are receiving this award,” Lance added. “This amazing group of employees, many of whom have been with the company for a significant number of years, understands what it takes to be the best in our industry. For PepsiCo to recognize that is a true testament to our employees.”
