The Fruit Company
| File:The Fruit Company Logo.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer Goods |
| Founded | 1942 |
| Headquarters | Hood River, Oregon, US |
Key people | Scott Webster, CEO |
| Products | Fresh fruit, fruit baskets, gift boxes, fruit club subscriptions |
Number of employees | 43 |
| Website | thefruitcompany.com |
The Fruit Company is a privately held American business established in 1942 by Roy Webster. Still under private ownership and led by CEO Scott Webster, the firm has gained recognition for its signature "classic baskets and gift towers" that prominently feature pears and apples cultivated in the Northwest. The company also contributes to higher education through initiatives such as "The Roy Webster Scholarship" and "The Fruit Company Gift Basket Entrepreneur Award."
History
Roy Webster settled in the Hood River Valley region in 1942 after visiting it during his honeymoon, acquiring approximately 600 acres (240 ha) of land. Initially operating as Webster Orchards, the enterprise focused on cultivating Comice pears and eventually launched a mail order system to distribute their distinctive pears throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Ownership of the company transitioned to Roy Webster’s son, Wayne Webster, who later transferred control to his sons Scott and Addison Webster in 1999. Under their leadership, Webster Orchards was rebranded as The Fruit Company and began marketing fruit under the trademark "The World's Finest Fruit." In 1986, the Webster brothers secured the Diamond Fruit packing facility to serve as the company’s permanent headquarters. Scott Webster currently holds the positions of CEO of The Fruit Company and President of Roy Webster Orchards Incorporated.
During the Great Recession, the business encountered significant financial challenges that resulted in workforce reductions amounting to 30% and other operational cutbacks. Nevertheless, following a restructuring of costs and securing Costco as a key client for fruit basket sales, the company returned to a growth trajectory.
Additionally, The Fruit Company participates in Hood River County’s renowned "Fruit Loop," a scenic driving route featuring stops at family-owned farms and fruit stands.
Awards and recognition
Over the years, the company has earned accolades from a variety of organizations and media outlets. In 2003, it was honored by O, The Oprah Magazine through inclusion in their "Holiday O List." Two years later, in 2005, Internet Retailer Magazine recognized the company as one of the "Top 50 Best of the Web" for its excellence in online retailing. Additionally, in 2013, the Los Angeles news station KTLA featured praise for the company's Mother's Day gift baskets during a broadcast segment. The Fruit Company has also been acknowledged as one of Oregon's leading 15 businesses.