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CapitalPress.com
April 14, 2017
Henggeler Packing Co. modernizes to meet challenges
By HEATHER SMITH THOMAS
For the Capital Press
FRUITLAND, Idaho —
The Henggeler family has
been growing tree fruit for
nearly 110 years. The business
started when C.B. Henggeler
purchased a farm near Fruit-
land and began planting trees.
In 1943 two of his sons,
Tony and Joe, started Heng-
geler Packing Co. to pack and
market their fruit. Though the
first two years were hard due
to spring freezes, they had a
good crop in 1945 and chose
Fortress for their label to honor
the Flying Fortress bombers of
World War II.
Their sons Rudy, Tony,
Jerry and Robert later became
involved in the packing com-
pany and orchards.
Since then, many changes
have taken place to keep up
with the times and meet the
challenges they faced.
ON THE COVER
Courtesy of Henggeler Packing Co.
From left, Kelly, Ryan and Chad Henggeler with different packages
and boxes they use to ship all over the U.S. and to countries such as
Thailand, Vietnam, India, Mexico and Taiwan.
Wooden baskets were ex-
changed for cardboard packing
boxes, and the storage life of
apples was extended with con-
trolled-atmosphere facilities.
In 1994 Jerry’s son Ryan
began managing the packing
line and storage equipment
and Robert’s son Kelly began
working with Jerry in sales.
Jerry’s youngest son, Chad,
began operating and managing
the orchards. A new building
was constructed with a new
packing line in 1998.
Kelly, Ryan and Chad now
manage Henggeler Packing
Co. Their company current-
Heggeler Packing Co. ships
produce all over the United
States and exports to other
countries including, Thai-
land, Vietnam, India, Mexico
and Taiwan.
Photo courtesy of
Heggeler Packing Co.
ly grows more than half the
fruit packed and packs fruit for
more than 20 growers in three
counties.
“We pack and market sev-
eral varieties of apples includ-
ing Gala, Honeycrisp, Red
and Golden Delicious, Jon-
athan, Red Rome, Fuji, Pink
Lady and Braeburn,” Kelly
Henggeler said.
In 2001 they planted
peaches and now grow and
pack several varieties, which
include O’Henry, Jon Henry,
Zee Lady, Summer Lady and
Elegant Lady. They also pack-
age plums and prunes.
“In our orchards we con-
tinue to transition into new
varieties and out of older va-
rieties,” Kelly Henggeler said.
“This winter we removed sev-
eral acres of Red Delicious
and older Gala varieties that
were planted 20 years ago that
no longer produce the quality
required in today’s market-
place.”
They use high-density
planting trellis systems, drip
irrigation and integrated pest
management that adds effi-
ciency in a sustainable pro-
gram while protecting the
clean water, air and land, he
said. “We’ve always done
this, but are now using today’s
technology.”
A big challenge in the
tree fruit industry and oth-
er specialty crops is finding
enough labor for required
activities, especially in la-
bor-intensive crops like ap-
ples. “These require a lot of
hand labor such as pruning
in winter, thinning in spring
and summer and harvest in
the fall,” he said.
“We’ve been working on
that challenge with new tech-
nology and platforms for prun-
ing and harvest. These are not
automated harvesters but elim-
inate ladder work and are more
efficient. We used a platform
for harvesting last year and can
operate those any time, with
lights at night.”
When harvesting Galas in
August it is really hot, and a
lot of the crew members vol-
unteer to work a night shift
because it’s cooler, he said.
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