Prominent tomato processor gets boost from new owners

A high-speed canning line is just one of numerous additions underway at tomato processor Colusa Canning Company. Although canning was in its original name, until now Colusa County Canning Company has processed and packaged tomato products in nearly every type of packaging except cans. All that will change beginning in June of 2004.

The new canning capability, along with other equipment upgrades and additional storage are all part of an expansion now underway at this northern California facility.

Colusa Canning-SK Foods General Manager Gil Hilleary says, "Since becoming part of the SK Foods family earlier this year, we are enthused about the significant growth we are experiencing." Hilleary continues, "In addition, we have committed to a major new customer to produce a full line of peeled tomato products and sauces."

Colusa will continue to process conventional hot-break and cold-break tomato paste for foodservice, private label and branded label customers. The potential exists for the processor to operate year-round as a remanufacturer.

The building program includes a new kitchen area for product development and formulation. The innovations will add approximately 50,000 square feet to the facility.

Colusa County Canning Company was founded by the Naas family in 1982. Hilleary joined the firm in 1989 after a career with Del Monte Foods. Dave Koll is Colusa Canning's operations manager. Also a Del Monte Foods veteran, Koll joined Colusa as production manager in 1993. Koll provides additional expertise in safety and environmental affairs.

This year Colusa processed 250,000 tons of tomatoes into paste. The paste is supplied to customers in 55-gallon fiberglass, plastic or steel drums and in 300-gallon wooden or plastic bins.

Hilleary and Koll credit success on the long-term grower relationships and experienced workforce. The company is able to work closely with the growers to specify varieties and timelines. Koll feels the company is beneficially positioned near one of the prime microclimates for growing tomatoes. This location, combined with short hauls and quality handling produces an ultra thick paste with exceptional color ratings.

Scott Salyer, the president of SK Foods explains, "The acquisition and expansion of the Colusa Canning facility is integral to the future success and growth of SK Foods. We recognized Colusa's reputation for producing quality tomato paste and for developing a veteran workforce that is skilled and innovative." Salyer adds, "This builds in flexibility and increases our capability to provide a full range of processing options to our customers at peak times."

SK Foods is a San Joaquin Valley-based processor of tomato products for remanufacturers and foodservice marketers. In 2002, the company's Lemoore facility processed more than one million tons of tomatoes and produced more than 24 million jars of pasta sauce. SK also owns Cedenco Foods Ltd. of New Zealand.

Colusa Canning Company is located at 6229 Myers Road in Williams, California, (530) 473-2871. For more information about SK Foods and Colusa Canning view the company website at www.skfoods.com.