Apr 17, 2024Pecan companies collaborate to expand production, ensure quality
Pecan Nation and South Georgia Pecan Company, both multi-generational Georgia pecan companies, have recently joined forces to expand production, ensure quality and increase efficiencies.
Georgia is the largest supplier of pecans in the nation — producing one-third of the pecans in the U.S. each year. Pecan Nation is a pecan grower for over five generations. South Georgia Pecan, which operates facilities in Georgia and Texas, is one of the largest pecan shellers in the world, and it has developed proprietary processes for developing and processing flavored pecans.
“Combining forces with South Georgia Pecan is a massive boost for our brand because it enables us to continue evolving and expanding, while remaining true to the rich history of our delicious pecans,” said Will McGehee, partner, Pecan Nation. “We think this is a model other farming companies will be interested in as it allows each company to bring its strengths to the partnership, creating an operational juggernaut that will allow us to effectively compete with large CPG companies.”
The partnership between these companies creates a collaboration where growers are more closely tied to processors to deliver quality products to grocery, convenience and hardware stores as well as other untapped channels. This total category approach expands Pecan Nation’s capabilities, positioning them to proactively introduce a variety of innovative snacks to the category and react to the needs dictated by the market.
“Our partnership with South Georgia Pecan allows our brand to remain at the forefront of flavor and innovation while keeping our pecans affordable and always available for consumers,” said Duke Lane III, partner, Pecan Nation.
“I’ve known the people at Pecan Nation for years and long admired their work and impact on this industry,” said Jeff Worn, president and CEO, South Georgia Pecan Company. “They have an ambitious vision for our industry and Pecan Nation has changed the game by moving pecans from being primarily a baking ingredient to becoming a significant part of the snack category. Our businesses are well aligned with similar business values, and by coming together, we will elevate Pecan Nation into the undisputed leader of pecans for the snack nut category.”
“This alliance underscores Pecan Nation’s approach and exemplifies the collaborative spirit that we bring to our retail and distributing partners every day,” said Nick Quast, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Pecan Nation. “Today we are available across 15,000 outlets, and our partnership with South Georgia Pecan allows us to strategically build out a larger footprint in the snacking category while staying true to the quality of our pecans.”
For more information on Pecan Nation visit ThePecanNation.com. For more information on South Georgia Pecan Company visit GeorgiaPecan.com.
