Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
A Peachy Merger: Gerawan, Wawona Packing Join Forces.
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
September 26, 2019

Share

Two Central Valley stone fruit farms are merging.
In a Wednesday news release, Gerawan Farming and Wawona Packing announced they are combining companies. Dan Gerawan, owner of his namesake company, will act as the CEO. He is also the largest individual stockholder.
“This merger is an exciting next step to unlock the full potential of both companies,” Gerawan said.


Listen to this article:
 


Each company will continue to use its brand name, Prima (Gerawan) and Wawona Packing.
Brent Smittcamp, Wawona’s executive chairman, will join the merged company in an unspecified role.

Paine Schwartz’s Role

Private equity firm Paine Schwartz invested in Wawona in 2017. Ed Haft oversaw Wawona Packing on its behalf as its interim CEO. He will remain active on the combined board, a company spokesman said.
“This merger represents a tremendous milestone and the type of growth opportunity that we can achieve by leveraging Paine Schwartz’s agribusiness sector expertise and close collaboration with family-owned businesses,” Paine Schwartz CEO Kevin Schwartz said. “We look forward to this new chapter for two companies that have been incredibly successful on their own, and we believe they can achieve even greater success through this merger.”
Paine Schwartz, according to its website, specializes in “sustainable food chain investing.”
The newly combined company did not offer many more details regarding the merger, including the status of current employees, where the new offices will be based, or any financials of the deal.
Gerawan is based in Fresno; Wawona Packing is based in Cutler (Tulare County). The deal does not involve Fresno-based Wawona Frozen Foods, operated by Bill Smittcamp, uncle of Brent.
Lyons Magnus, the Fresno food processing firm operating for years by Brent’s father, Bob, is also under the Paine Schwartz investment umbrella.

Deal Gets Praise from Industry

The deal is getting praise from a Fresno-based industry trade group.
“We are happy for the two entities. We know they’ve been working for this for a long time,” said Ian LeMay, president of the California Fresh Fruit Association. “I believe Dan will lead the company well, and Brent will remain active.”
Note, 9/26/19: a previous version of this story described Paine Schwartz as a venture capital firm. It has been updated to private equity firm.
 

DON'T MISS

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

DON'T MISS

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

DON'T MISS

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

DON'T MISS

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

DON'T MISS

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

DON'T MISS

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

DON'T MISS

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

DON'T MISS

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

DON'T MISS

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

DON'T MISS

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

UP NEXT

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

UP NEXT

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

UP NEXT

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

UP NEXT

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

UP NEXT

Is Fresno Political Consultant Alex Tavlian Behind Election Attack Mailer?

UP NEXT

St. Agnes’ Newest Robot Promises Less Invasive Surgeries, Faster Recoveries

UP NEXT

Madera Authorities Seize 80 Pounds of Meth, Arrest Two Suspects

UP NEXT

Merced Receives Satanic Flag Request Amid Policy Debate

UP NEXT

Tulare County Wetlands Preserve Is Open to Public on Saturday

UP NEXT

Fresno County Missing Child: 7-Year-Old Damien Deleon

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

11 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

12 hours ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

1 day ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

1 day ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

1 day ago

Protesters Rebelling Against Elon Musk’s Purge of US Government Swarm Tesla Showrooms

1 day ago

Plastics Are Seeping Into Farm Fields, Food and Eventually Human Bodies

1 day ago

Myanmar’s Earthquake Death Toll Jumps to 1,644 as More Bodies Are Recovered From the Rubble

1 day ago

Top Vaccine Official Resigns From FDA, Criticizes RFK Jr. for Promoting Misinformation, Lies

1 day ago

If You Want to Ski Affordably Next Season, Buy Now

1 day ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

Last year, The Merced FOCUS reported that for the first time in over a decade, a crucial service for survivors of sexual assault would be of...

10 hours ago

10 hours ago

Merced Police Chief: Local Sexual Assault Exams ‘Worth’ Higher Cost

10 hours ago

Anjelah Johnson-Reyes to Headline Chukchansi’s Summer Series with ‘Family Reunion Tour’

11 hours ago

Sue or Hold Back? The University of California Does Both as It Faces Trump’s Wrath

11 hours ago

Central Unified Takes Additional Steps To Protect Undocumented Students

12 hours ago

Americans Trade Michelin Stars for Mac and Cheese

1 day ago

Dueling Protests Clash at Fresno Tesla Dealership

1 day ago

Hamas Says It Accepts New Gaza Ceasefire Proposal but Israel Makes Counter-Offer

1 day ago

Andrew Tate’s Ex-Girlfriend Accuses Him of Sexual Assault and Battery in New Lawsuit

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend