Mikey Hanks, Director of Operations at Washington Fruit and Produce, reflected on the depth of the relationship and the essential role Sinclair’s solutions play in supporting Washington Fruit Growers’ high-volume, precision-driven operations.
“Our relationship with Sinclair goes back more than 30 years and is built on a shared belief: delivering the very best to our customers,” said Hanks. “One of the best aspects of Sinclair’s service is their on-site presence. Their technicians follow strict preventive maintenance schedules, ensuring that labelling systems and applicators always operate at peak performance. For us, that translates directly into less downtime and lower overtime costs. We know there are other suppliers in the market, but we don’t even consider them. Sinclair offers the best overall package and delivers the best performance.”
Supporting precision-driven operations
Washington Fruit Growers operates 10 size graders, meaning that each applicator represents 10% of total production. With a daily performance target of 95% or higher, equipment uptime is critical.
“If just one applicator goes down, we miss our specifications. If two applicators fail, we fall well below target,” Hanks explained.
“With Sinclair, we consistently reach 95% and above without concern. That reliability allows us to meet our goals and maintain operational excellence. Our aim is perfection on the apple line. Sinclair shares that commitment to 100% labelling precision.”
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Lauren Soleimani, Sinclair’s North America Sales Director, expressed appreciation for the partnership and this milestone: “Washington Fruit represents the kind of long-term partnership we strive for. For more than 30 years, we’ve grown together—advancing technology, improving uptime and supporting their commitment to quality. We are incredibly proud to be part of their operational success and look forward to continuing this journey toward excellence.”
A benchmark in apple labelling
Duncan Jones, Senior Marketing Director at Sinclair, highlighted the importance of the apple category within the company’s global customer portfolio.
“Alongside Washington Fruit Growers, we are fortunate to work with many other leading players in the global apple sector, including Pink Lady, VOG, Melinda, VIP, Johnny Appleseed, Stemilt, Hansen, Copefrut and Blue Whale, as well as major retailers for private-label brands,” he said.
“Brands play a vital role in the apple business, and Sinclair’s labelling systems help ensure strong brand presentation with sustainable credentials. Moreover, because apples are labelled using a variety of high-speed automated systems—both tray-based and inline—Sinclair’s tailored solutions for each packing facility maximise operational efficiency within the apple business,” he added.
