Jan 12, 2023

Sweet onion grower G&R upgrades equipment

Vidalia Onion grower and shipper G&R Farms has upgraded its packing line.

The new high-tech grading and packing line at the Glennville, Georgia, operation is designed to provide increased speed and accuracy in packing, according to a news release.

The massive improvement project has been in the works at G&R for eight years and is expected to be in full operation in March, a month ahead of the traditional start of Vidalia onion harvesting.

The upgraded grading equipment is more precise, maximizing packing efficiencies and product quality with a stunning speed almost 80% faster than existing equipment, according to the release.

The high-tech machinery optimizes accuracy in sizing and provides delicate processing, resulting in less mechanical damage to individual onions. Because of the accuracy of the sizing equipment, pack sizes will see more uniformity as well, allowing the company to ship to exact customer specs noted in their preferences.

“Over the years we have seen the onion industry suffer losses from inconsistent size and quality issues not caught in the sorting and packing lines,” Fabian Murillo, G&R’s shipping manager and inventory control supervisor, said in the release. “Our new line challenges nearly every obstacle with boosted accuracy and increased speed in packing. This assurance will allow us to process orders on demand ensuring we’re providing the freshest, most reliable products.”

The new machinery is expected to also help contain costs. “With inflation still ever-present and top of mind for everyone in the supply chain, the new enhancements will allow for continued competitive pricing through added efficiency and accuracy of the grader, giving G&R Farms an advantage in fiscally trying times and meeting changing retail and consumer demands,” Blake Dasher, G&R’s CEO, said in the release.

G&R is a third-generation family farm that started with a small farm in 1945. Today, the company grows sweet onions and other crops on more than 5,000 acres.

“As we closed out 2022 with record sales, we continue to position ourselves for success in 2023 by offering the best in service and innovation to our customers,” Dasher said in the release. “This is no time to rest, though, and we’ve already got our eye on our next big advancement. At G&R we’re always looking for ways to push ahead and improve our processes and technology.”

PHOTO ABOVE:  G&R’s massive improvement project in the works for eight years makes grading more precise, improving packing efficiencies and product quality with speeds 80% faster than existing equipment.