Columbia Fruit Packers
Columbia Fruit Packers is a Wenatchee, Washington-based B2B fruit packing and cold storage operator founded in 1946, serving independent apple and cherry growers with automated computer vision sortation, long-term storage, and distribution channeled through CMI into 60+ countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersWenatchee, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Columbia Fruit Packers does
Columbia Fruit Packers, Inc. is a privately-held fruit packing and cold storage operator headquartered in Wenatchee, Washington. Founded in 1946, the company provides packing, sorting, and storage services for apples and cherries grown by independent Washington State growers, including a leadership position in certified organic production. Its core operations are built around a state-of-the-art apple packing line installed in 2017 and a cherry packing line installed in 2014, supported by two facility locations in Wenatchee and East Wenatchee and storage capacity ranging from one day up to ten months.
The company's technical backbone is a camera-based computer vision sorting system that captures up to 30 images per fruit and analyzes them in nanoseconds to grade external defects and direct physical drop points, supplemented by Near-Infrared (NIR) technology for non-contact internal defect detection. The system handles over one million fruits per day across 15+ apple varieties and 7 cherry varieties, generating 40+ package type SKUs. Quality and sustainability credentials are formalized through SQF Code Edition 8 (Produce Packing House, Food Sector Category 4) certification and participation in the Global G.A.P. program.
Columbia Fruit's business model is B2B and quote-based: the company charges packing and storage transaction fees to independent growers and reinvests capital into automation to maximize grower returns. Branded retail and export sales are channeled through Columbia Marketing International (CMI), which markets the Daisy Girl, Kanzi, and Kiku brands domestically and across more than 60 export countries. In October 2022, the company received an investment from Goldman Sachs and merged with Frosty Packing, signaling an institutional capital-backed consolidation strategy in the regional packing sector.
Columbia Fruit Packers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Columbia Fruit Packers
- Legal name
- Columbia Fruit Packers, Inc.
- Website
- https://columbiafruit.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Columbia Fruit Packers is a Wenatchee, Washington-based B2B fruit packing and cold storage operator founded in 1946, serving independent apple and cherry growers with automated computer vision sortation, long-term storage, and distribution channeled through CMI into 60+ countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Columbia Fruit Packers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fruit Packing and Cold Storage Services
- NAICS
- Fruit and Tree Nut Farming (1113)
- SIC
- Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies (2033), Cookies & Crackers (2052)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Apple/Pear Packing & Controlled-Atmosphere Prep (AFAOAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Citrus Packing Houses (AFAOAGAB), Berry Sorting & Packing Facilities (AFAOAGAD), Cider & Orchard Fruit Production (Apples/pears for cider & processing) (AFAGACAJ)
Keywords
Where Columbia Fruit Packers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wenatchee
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Columbia Fruit Packers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Fruit Packing Services: Columbia Fruit Packers provides packing services to fruit growers, charging for the handling, sorting, sizing, and packing of their fruit. The company aims to maximize returns for grower fruit while efficiently utilizing labor, expenses, and capital assets.
- Fruit Storage Services: Long-term and packed fruit storage facilities that can store fruit from one day up to 10 months depending on room qualification. Revenue generated through warehouse storage fees.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Columbia Fruit Packers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Columbia Fruit Packers is a B2B agricultural service provider that handles packing, sorting, grading, and cold storage of apples and cherries for independent fruit growers in Washington State. The company operates state-of-the-art apple and cherry packing lines with advanced camera-based and near-infrared (NIR) sorting technology, and provides long-term storage capacity of up to 10 months.
Product overview
Columbia Fruit Packers is a fruit packing and storage company providing comprehensive agricultural services across Washington State. The company operates state-of-the-art packing facilities with cherry packing line (installed 2014) and apple packing line (installed 2017). Their core offerings include Apple Packing Services with automated computer vision sorting for 15+ varieties, Cherry Packing Services for 7 varieties including delicate Rainiers, and Warehouse & Cold Storage Services capable of storing fruit from one day to 10 months. The company maintains Organic Fruit Production capabilities under the Daisy Girl sub-brand, distributed across more than 60 countries. A Grower Portal provides online access for their grower network.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Daisy Girl: Organic apple and cherry brand sold across the nation and in more than 60 countries.
Products and services
- Apple Packing Services State-of-the-art apple packing services featuring camera-based sorting and grading technology that examines each apple for external and internal defects. Handles 15+ apple varieties including Kanzi, Kiku, Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, and produces 40+ different package types.
- Cherry Packing Services Cherry packing operations handling 7 varieties (Chelan, Tieton, Bing, Lapins, Skeena, Sweetheart, Rainier) with manual and automated sorting, sizing, and packing for both red cherries and delicate Rainier cherries.
- Warehouse and Cold Storage Services Long-term fruit storage and packed fruit storage facilities with industry-standard capabilities. Fruit can be stored from one day to up to 10 months depending on room qualifications.
- Grower Portal Online portal for growers to access real-time statements, orchard and food safety information, and variety of reports for managing their fruit operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 40 different package types (SKUs) can be generated, allowing flexibility to meet diverse consumer requirements
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Columbia Fruit Packers
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Columbia Fruit Packers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature5 records
Columbia Fruit Packers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Frosty PackingmajorFrosty Packing merged with Columbia Fruit Packers following Goldman Sachs investment. The merger combined two packing operations in the Washington State fruit industry.
- Columbia Marketing International (CMI)coreColumbia Fruit Packers works with CMI Orchards to handle the sales and marketing of their fruit. CMI manages retail and export distribution for brands including Kanzi, Kiku, and Daisy Girl. CMI conducts monthly unannounced audits as part of the company's food safety program.
- Global G.A.P.coreColumbia Fruit Packers is a participant in the Global G.A.P. (Good Agricultural Practices) program, ensuring sustainable practices are monitored and verified. The vision is to provide high quality food produced by passionate farmers for consumers around the world.
- SQF (Safe Quality Food) InstitutecoreColumbia Fruit's Food Safety/Quality Program is based on the SQF Code, Edition 8 system for Produce Packing House - Food Sector Category 4. The company is audited annually by a third party approved by SQF.
- Washington Agriculture Education Foundation (WAEF)minorColumbia Fruit is an early supporter of the WAEF foundation and created the CCM scholarship to provide access to education for employees' families. Two new students are selected annually for this scholarship covering nearly the entire cost of tuition, books, room and board for four years.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Columbia Fruit Packers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stemilt Growers: Washington State-based grower, packer, and shipper of apples, pears, and cherries with branded varieties (e.g., Lil Snappers) and direct relationships with retailers. Directly comparable in operating model, geography, and fruit mix to Columbia Fruit Packers.
- Rainier Fruit Company: Washington-based grower and packer of apples, pears, and cherries serving both domestic retailers and export markets. Operates comparable packinghouse, cold storage, and organic capabilities with a similar grower-partner base.
- Domex Superfresh Growers: Yakima, Washington-based vertically integrated apple, pear, and cherry grower/packer with substantial packing-line and cold-storage infrastructure. Closely mirrors Columbia Fruit's combination of orchard ownership, packing services, and export distribution.
- Washington Fruit & Produce Co. Yakima-based grower and packer of apples, cherries, and stone fruit with one of the largest packinghouse operations in Washington. Comparable in core packing services, storage capabilities, and export reach.
- McDougall & Sons: Wenatchee-based apple and cherry grower/packer operating out of the same Columbia Fruit territory with comparable packing, cold storage, and grower services. Direct competitor for independent grower contracts.
- Sage Fruit Company: Washington-based apple, pear, and cherry packing and marketing cooperative serving major U.S. retailers. Closely matches Columbia Fruit's packinghouse service model and SKU/variety breadth for retail and export customers.
- Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers: Wenatchee-based apple, pear, and stone fruit grower and packer with branded programs (e.g., Koru, Jazz) and export reach. Comparable to Columbia Fruit in geography, variety mix, and branded marketing partnerships.
Broad incumbents
- Columbia Marketing International (CMI Orchards): Marketing arm and channel partner that handles all retail and export sales for Columbia Fruit Packers' packed fruit, including Daisy Girl, Kanzi, and Kiku brands. Operates as a broader apple/pear marketer with multiple grower-supplier relationships, making it both a partner and a broader competitor in branded apple marketing.
- Tree Top Inc. Washington-based apple and pear grower cooperative and one of the largest processors of apples into juice, sauce, and other value-added products. A broader incumbent in the Washington apple supply chain with overlapping grower base and storage assets.
Emerging players
- Crunch Pak: Washington-based value-added apple slicer producing packaged sliced apples for retail and foodservice. A natural downstream adjacency to Columbia Fruit's packing operations and an emerging value-added extension of Washington apple supply.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Columbia Fruit Packers social profiles
Digital presenceColumbia Fruit Packers compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Columbia Fruit Packers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Columbia Fruit Packers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Columbia Fruit Packers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Columbia Fruit Packers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Columbia Fruit Packers
What does Columbia Fruit Packers do?
Columbia Fruit Packers is a B2B agricultural service provider that handles packing, sorting, grading, and cold storage of apples and cherries for independent fruit growers in Washington State. The company operates state-of-the-art apple and cherry packing lines with advanced camera-based and near-infrared (NIR) sorting technology, and provides long-term storage capacity of up to 10 months.
Is Columbia Fruit Packers a public or private company?
Columbia Fruit Packers is a private company. It is classified as private equity controlled and is currently operating.
When was Columbia Fruit Packers founded?
Columbia Fruit Packers was founded in 1946. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Columbia Fruit Packers based?
Columbia Fruit Packers is headquartered in Wenatchee, United States, in the North America region.
How does Columbia Fruit Packers make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Fruit Packing Services are the primary driver. The others are fruit Storage Services.
Who are Columbia Fruit Packers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stemilt Growers, Rainier Fruit Company, Domex Superfresh Growers, Washington Fruit & Produce Co., McDougall & Sons, Sage Fruit Company and Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers. Broad incumbents are Columbia Marketing International (CMI Orchards) and Tree Top Inc.. Crunch Pak is listed as an emerging player.
Does Columbia Fruit Packers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Columbia Fruit Packers.
What industry is Columbia Fruit Packers in?
Columbia Fruit Packers's product category is Fruit Packing and Cold Storage Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAOAGAC, Apple/Pear Packing & Controlled-Atmosphere Prep, with a secondary code of AFAOAGAB, Citrus Packing Houses. Its NAICS code is 1113 and its SIC code is 2033.