Vision Produce and Vision Import Group part on good terms

by John Groh | February 01, 2018

Vision Import Group, based in Hackensack, NJ, is now an independent entity following the cessation of its business partnership with Los Angeles-based Vision Produce Co.

Ronnie Cohen and Raul Millan are now co-owners of Vision Import Group following their purchase of Vision Produce Co.’s interest in Vision Import Group, Cohen told The Produce News.Ronnie Cohen

“We have been working on this since May,” Cohen said Feb. 1, the day after the closing of the sale. “We collectively decided it was in the best interest of both companies to go our separate ways, as we had different strategies looking toward the future.”

Cohen stressed that it was a friendly split and that the companies will still work together in the future where there are mutual benefits.

“We have always had a strategic partnership, but now it will be more of a strategic relationship,” Cohen said. “We will still work together in various Capacities when warranted and will always still help each other. Essentially, everything will remain the same except Raul and I now will now each own half of our own business exclusively.”

Vision Import Group was founded 10 years ago by Cohen, Millan and Bill Vogel, the owner of Tavilla Sales in Los Angeles. Cohen said that four years into Vision Import’s existence, Tavilla Sales changed its name to Vision Produce Co., and the two divisions operated independently, with Vision Import handling business east of the Mississippi River and Vision Produce handling business west of the divide.

Vision Import Group specializes in limes, lemons, mangos and pineapples, and has warehouses in Pharr, TX, Florida and New Jersey. Vision Produce Co. handles a wide variety of Hispanic produce items, tropical fruits and vegetables, and root vegetables, with sales offices in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Nogales, AZ.

“We’ve always respected each other’s territories and strengths, and that will continue under the new arrangement,” said Cohen. “Truly, customers will see no difference in service from either company.”

Cohen said that moving forward, Vision Import would continue looking for new opportunities.

“In this business, it is crucial to change with the times, and that is what we intend to do,” said Cohen. “As the industry continues to develop, we’ll change with it.”