Wilbur-Ellis ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Embracing automation to enhance consistency has also enabled the launch of one of the company’ s most exciting recent products: BenVireo ® TerraLux™, a liquid organic fertilizer brought to market in mid- 2025.“ Immediately, we were met with a lot of customer demand,” Heather recalls.“ The organic market is growing considerably, particularly on the West Coast, where fresh produce, like fruits and vegetables heading straight to market, is a major focus. However, handling organic products is quite different on the operations side, so we have had to shift our approach. We needed to ensure separate storage, separate blending systems, and separate processes to make sure the product is kept to the standard it deserves. It has required real adjustment operationally, but it has been a fun challenge for us to take on. Watching farmers adopt the product and seeing the demand for it grow has been incredibly rewarding.”
Committed to culture
Beyond its commercial operations, Wilbur-Ellis has also made valuable contributions to the culture of the agricultural industry as a whole, particularly when it comes to supporting women in the sector. In 2012, the company launched an internal business resource group called Women of Wilbur- Ellis.“ We established this program because we recognized that women play a significant role in agriculture, both as farmers and as key decisionmakers. We knew we needed a sales force and leadership teams that could better connect with the people shaping decisions across the industry. So, we started partnering with organizations like Women in Agriculture, which support women in agriculture, including those interested in advancing their careers into leadership roles. We send 20-30 employees to the Women in Agribusiness Annual Summit each year to network, receive mentoring and explore leadership opportunities. There is still more progress to be made, and we look forward to future opportunities for our employees,” Heather concludes.
Throughout its history, Wilbur- Ellis has stayed ahead of the curve by prioritizing long-term thinking over short-term gains. Whether investing in state-of-the-art facilities like Woodland, expanding innovative offerings such as BenVireo ® TerraLux™, or building a more representative and inclusive workforce through initiatives like Women of Wilbur-Ellis, the company continues to strengthen its position for the future. ■
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