Western Growers signs deal with C.H. Robinson

Western Growers signs deal with C.H. Robinson Western Growers, an agriculture trade association whose members grow about half the nation's fresh produce, said it has launched a transportation service in conjunction with C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.
   The product aims to improve cost of transportation, service, and equipment availability to its members.
   The association said the product will offer long-term contract arrangements; and promotional, seasonal, and fixed weekly rates for truck, intermodal, rail, air and ocean transportation services. The services will be customized to individual shippers.
   C.H. Robinson has dedicated a team of transportation specialists to exclusively focus on the supply chain needs of members of Western Growers and act as their outsourced transportation department for WG members.
   C.H. Robinson will be the sole logistics provider under the new program, providing weekly pricing reports for North America, biweekly customized supply chain metrics reports, individualized sales training to WG members, customized sales literature for use by members, and a dedicated telephone line operating around the clock.
   The service was 'developed at the request of WG members, who in many cases felt that rate increases and equipment shortages during the past few years had reached a critical stage that was imperiling their businesses,' said Matt McInerney, executive vice president for Western Growers.
   'We reached out to C.H. Robinson and together developed a successful solution. C.H. Robinson will provide our members with a complete, logistical service package for both domestic and international business,' he added.
   The program was tested earlier this year with more than 2,500 shipper-arranged loads moved. During the testing period, growers experienced stabilized rates, elimination of equipment shortages and significant service improvement.
   Members of Western Growers pack and ship 90 percent of the fresh fruits, nuts and vegetables grown in California and 75 percent of those commodities grown in Arizona.