Simplifying Supply Chains in the Produce Industry

Idaho Falls, Idaho– The fresh produce industry moves quickly. Fruits and Vegetables have to move from fields to grocery store shelves while maintaining the peak of freshness, taste and quality. As those in the industry continue to seek Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems that are intuitive, efficient, and capable of meeting the demands of the fresh produce industry, the Fresha team found their perfect fit. 

Fresha, a carrot producer in Minnesota that launched in 2019, has quickly grown its footprint from 1,000 acres in Minnesota to adding an additional location in Georgia to meet the demand for year-round grown carrots. 

When Drew Schmidgall joined the Fresha team in 2023 as a controller, his passion for efficient processes and helping others make their lives easier led the team to look for a new ERP system. 

The Fresha team traveled to the International Fresh Produce Association Global Produce and Floral Show to interview ERP software companies and find their next system. While the process of interviewing several companies became overwhelming, Fresha knew what their list of must-haves was for the system they would ultimately choose.  

“We wanted to go to a system where we weren’t the guinea pig. We needed to knock out our pain points in the first round,” says Schmidgall. “We had our non-negotiables and needed to make sure it worked.” Fusionware checked all those boxes and more. 

Fusionware is an operations platform built for growers, packers, processors, and shippers. It prioritizes simplifying workflows and creating efficiencies across the supply chain. With automated software that consolidates data and improves inventory management, companies like Fresha have chosen Fusionware to help them. 

“Our ERP system replaces outdated systems and overly complex solutions by providing a platform that is as intuitive as it is powerful. We help produce companies like Fresha streamline their operations so they can focus on delivering fresh, quality products to market,” says Creg Fielding, CEO at Fusionware.

Fresha immediately recognized that inventory management with Fusionware would be a game-changer for them. They could make sales decisions quickly, manage inventory accurately, and utilize scheduled dock times to move loads quickly and efficiently. 

“Our inventory was 100% accurate, which was just impressive,” says Schmidgall. The Fusionware team helped Fresha implement their program, which was completed in three months and included training their staff. Like many produce companies, Schmidgall notes that many in the industry have “scars” from using old and unreliable systems, making implementing a new system daunting. When it comes to getting it right, Fusionware doesn’t just talk—they deliver.

“Fusionware’s support and responsiveness was outstanding. They sought to understand how we were set up and, at the same time, how we could get better,” says Schmidgall. “They adapted to our needs and accepted feedback.” 

“When we can implement a company like Fresha in just a few months, that is how we like to operate,” shared Fielding. “They can move forward with confidence in their system.” 

Fresha continues to reap the benefits of its decision to implement Fusionware, a program that proved intuitive and perfectly aligned with its needs. “The system has allowed us to be proactive,” says Schmidgall. “We can adapt and forecast potential interruptions before they become a major issue.”

From the three-month implementation journey to where they are today, Fusionware has transformed how Fresha operates. What began as a commitment to simplifying their teams’ workflow has become a partnership that delivers reliable, data-driven insights, driving efficiency, streamlining processes, and fueling growth.

The results speak for themselves—Fusionware is the solution the produce industry needs to take its operations to the next level. To learn more about Fresha and Fusionware, visit their websites at www.freshaproduce.com and www.fusionware.com.

About Fusionware

Fusionware (www.fusionware.com) is the leading end-to-end cloud-based supply chain platform for growers in North America. In addition to providing an automated system solution between buyers and sellers, the platform empowers the supply chain users by digitizing the entire value chain from farms, processors, packers, freight logistics, wholesalers, distributors, food service, and retailers. Fusionware’s platform allows users to optimize operations, improve efficiency and increase growth and profitability.