Today, 16 March 2021, marks the 150th birthday of Dr Hans Merensky, the founder of the Westfalia Fruit Group.
Dr Merensky (pictured above) was an acclaimed geologist, a dedicated humanitarian, and was known for his love of nature.
His vision was to develop a sustainable environmental and economic future for the Group, which aligns with values central to Westfalia's global operations now.
To celebrate Dr Merensky's birthday and mark a milestone in the Group's history, Westfalia is working towards the long-term target to ultimately recover the Group's Lifetime Carbon emissions by 2049, exactly 100 years since its first farm was established.
Johnathan Sutton, group safety and environmental executive at Westfalia Fruit Group, said, "Our aim is to ensure our environmental commitments are an integral part of our day-to-day business, and that we challenge ourselves to build on the Group's environmental performance and operate globally in a responsible, sustainable manner.
"Dr Merensky's legacy means sustainability is not a new concept to Westfalia, and our operations continuously challenge themselves throughout the supply chain."
In Europe, the company has developed plastic-free packaging that maintains fruit quality and shelf life.
Several of its orchards in South America have implemented an innovative, integrated pest management programmne to reduce the use of pesticides.
In Africa, the company's processing operations use the whole fruit, producing oil, puree and guacamole – resulting in minimal waste.
Alk Brand, CEO of the Westfalia Fruit Group stated, "As responsible guardians of the environment, working together as a team with like-minded partners, we can make a significant positive impact. I am sure Dr Merensky would be proud to see that his legacy continues today and for future generations."
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