Driscoll’s Announces Changes to Chile Operations to Advance Global Blueberry Growth

WATSONVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Driscoll’s has announced a restructuring of their Chilean operations naming Brie Reiter Smith to the position of General Manager of Driscoll’s of Chile. The changes are part of the company’s advancement of its global business strategy and its focus on becoming the premier exporter of blueberries from Chile to markets around the globe, especially during the peak growing season, November through February.

In her new leadership role, Reiter Smith will be focused on key elements of the Chilean business and developing a new operating plan designed to further support Driscoll’s expansion in multiple markets around the globe. She will report to Soren Bjorn, Executive Vice President, Americas.

“Over the past year, we have been evaluating our global blueberry strategy and we are now ready to implement a number of changes designed to ensure our future success. As one of the first steps in this new action plan, I am delighted to announce the promotion of Brie Reiter Smith to her new role as General Manager of Driscoll’s of Chile,” said Bjorn. “Due to the changing role of Chile in the global blueberry market, we have adopted a strategy to focus our supply efforts to the period we believe Chile will remain the world’s leading source of blueberries.”

In evaluating their global blueberry strategy, Driscoll’s Global Leadership reaffirmed the Chilean blueberry industry will remain critically important for Driscoll’s to remain competitive. At the same time, Driscoll’s realized a need to become more aligned across geographies. As a result, the company is making a number of changes in Driscoll’s of Chile operations, relocating company headquarters to Chile and aligning support teams to streamline operations and focusing supply efforts on the key months of production.

“The first of the fourth generation of Driscoll’s owners to take a leadership position in the company, Brie and her husband, Brian, have been living and working in Chile for the past two years growing blueberries,” Bjorn continued. “She has grown up in and around the Driscoll’s business and has a great sense of what makes our business work.”

Ms. Reiter Smith commented, “I am excited by the future of Driscoll’s presence in Chile. We are organizing our grower partnerships to capitalize on the ever increasing market demand for premium quality blueberries.”

About Driscoll’s, Only the Finest Berries:

Driscoll’s is a fourth generation, family owned company that has been involved in berry farming for more than 100 years. As a leading provider of fresh and organic berries, Driscoll’s works with independent farmers to produce the highest quality strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries in the world in an effort to continually delight all berry consumers. Driscoll’s is the preferred berry partner of some of America’s leading chefs and culinary institutions.