Sunsweet Growers Inc., a leading name in the dried fruit market, has announced the promotion of Brad Schuler to Chief Executive Officer. This appointment comes as the company approaches its 110th anniversary and aims to further solidify its status as the premier global dried fruit brand.
Brad Schuler, a 25-year veteran at Sunsweet, ascends to the CEO position, previously held by Dane Lance who is stepping down after a distinguished 35-year tenure. Schuler’s promotion is a testament to his formidable track record and deep understanding of the company’s operations and vision.
“Brad becomes the 4th consecutive CEO to be hired from within based on demonstrated performance. Brad is clearly the right choice for CEO having observed and assimilated the collective learning of the previous three CEOs. There’s no doubt Brad has a vision for the next decade and the personal drive to lead Sunsweet to its highest levels of performance ever,” stated Dane Lance, outgoing President & CEO.
Schuler’s immediate plans include investing in advanced production assets and implementing new enterprise software equipped with state-of-the-art AI capabilities, alongside enhancing organizational training to leverage these technologies effectively.
“Brad has demonstrated the ability to grow Sunsweet’s business, and he’s been pivotal in helping foster a unique business strategy and culture at Sunsweet that generates high performance toward relentlessly building the Sunsweet brand for the future,” commented Brendon Flynn, Chairman of the Sunsweet Board.
Under Schuler’s leadership, Sunsweet is poised to intensify its global presence through strategic initiatives and cultural cohesion. Flynn praised Schuler’s leadership style, saying, “Brad creates a feeling of family whose members are loyal to both Sunsweet and each other,” highlighting the integral community and collaborative spirit within the company.
About Sunsweet Growers Inc.
Established in 1917, Sunsweet Growers Inc. is the largest handler of dried tree fruits such as prunes, cranberries, and apricots in the world. It operates as a grower-owned marketing cooperative, representing over one-third of the global prune market and processing more than 50,000 tons of prunes annually. Sunsweet’s commitment to quality and innovation has made its prunes the leading brand worldwide, supported by a dedicated network of over 180 growers.
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