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A Peachy Merger: Gerawan, Wawona Packing Join Forces.
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
September 26, 2019

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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.


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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.
 

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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

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