It’s official. The Index Fresh avocado distribution facility in Pharr, Texas, is now fully operational. Representatives of the Riverside, California-headquartered company met with personnel from Fort Wayne, Indiana-based Tippmann Innovation (Ti) and local government officials to take part in a ribbon cutting ceremony at the site on January 9.
The 60,000-plus-square-foot, multi-temperature coldstore was designed and built by Ti. Its fully expandable, state-of-the art plant allows for ripening, storage and distribution under one roof.
“Produce is an economic driver for the City of Pharr, especially given our geographical proximity and ideal location near the US-Mexico border,” said Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez. “Pharr International Bridge has been a gateway when it comes to produce trade, with nearly 60% of all fresh produce imported from Mexico crossing into the United States over our bridge.”
He continued: “We have a long relationship with Index Fresh, and are happy to have solidified our partnership through their investment in opening their first facility in Texas right here in Pharr.”
Ti, a leader in the planning and building of cold storage facilities, worked with Index Fresh in the nearly year-long project to design a modern, efficient facility that has the capacity and the flexibility to provide expanded refrigerated service as the need arises.
With offices in Indiana, Illinois and Florida, Ti provides a full suite of cold storage construction services, including quick freeze, blast freezing, master site planning and operations, and maintenance guidance. Its innovations include the patented QuickFreeze and QuickTemper in-rack freezing systems and the T2 spacer system.
