Graceland Fruit announces expansion to Wisconsin

BENZIE COUNTY, Mich., (WPBN/WGTU) -- A northern Michigan fruit company will be expanding over state lines!

Graceland Fruit announced Friday the company will be expanding its operations through an alliance with Wisconsin-based Cranberry Growers Cooperative (CranGrow).

The expansion will allow the company to staff and operate a new, state-of-the-art processing plant in Warrens, Wisconsin.

Graceland purchases Wisconsin cranberries to manufacture dried cranberries in its Frankfort facilities.

Graceland officials said the CranGrow alliance provides Graceland Fruit with increased manufacturing capacity to support its global growth plans and provides CranGrow members and growers access to worldwide markets.

“We have established invaluable relationships in the marketplace, as well as a strong sales force that has resulted in demand outpacing our current manufacturing capacity. In 2017, CranGrow opened a new, modern production facility, and will benefit from a more established market. So, it made sense to work together to meet mutual goals,” said Graceland Fruit CEO Al DeVore.

DeVore said the company's manufacturing capacity will increase by approximately 30-percent with the addition of the 50,000 square-foot- Warrens processing facility.

All 61 current CranGrow employees at the Warrens facility will become Graceland Fruit employees, increasing the company's total employment to approximately 275.

“We’re excited to begin this alliance that will greatly benefit both CranGrow and Graceland Fruit,” said CranGrow Board Chair Linda Prehn. “Graceland Fruit is a world leader in the production of dried cranberries. By combining our resources in Wisconsin with Graceland’s manufacturing expertise and global sales network, we are establishing a solid future for growers, employees and the community.”