As part of this week’s Board of Directors’ meeting in Newport Beach, Western Growers (WG) will officially unveil its new Irvine-based headquarters in a ribbon-cutting ceremony this evening. WG Chairman Larry Cox of Lawrence Cox Ranches in Brawley, Calif. will perform the ribbon-cutting honors. Directors in town for the meeting, as well as their spouses, will receive a tour of the new facility followed by a reception and dinner on the lawn.

Prior to the relocation, most employees of Western Growers’ 12 companies and business divisions were spread amongst four different locations in Irvine, limiting the daily interactions that can add to efficiencies and boost morale. Consolidation to an 80,000-square-foot standalone three-story building allows us to bring all our Orange County-based employees under one roof and still gives us the opportunity to expand.

Ninety years of history have been memorialized in the decorations and wall displays, which are designed to showcase former chairmen, past presidents and important events that have shaped the organization since its inception. While the new building pays homage to the past, it also paves an expectant path for the future, providing employees with state-of-the-art capabilities.

Western Growers’ members who are visiting Irvine can arrange for a tour of the new building by contacting Erika Lovelady at (949) 885- 2258.