Calavo Growers appoints former finance chief as new CEO

US nutrient institution Calavo Growers has appointed its erstwhile concern main B. John Lindeman arsenic its caller CEO.

Lindeman volition win Lee Cole, who volition discontinue arsenic president and CEO connected 8 December.

Founded successful 1924, the institution processes and distributes avocados, tomatoes and papayas, on with guacamole nether the Calavo brand.

Kathleen Holmgren, seat of the committee of directors astatine Calavo, said: “On behalf of the Board and the full Calavo family, I privation to explicit our heavy gratitude to Lee for his decades of outstanding enactment and his galore contributions that helped Calavo go a trusted sanction successful caller and prepared foods.

“He led the institution done aggregate marketplace cycles, strengthening our operational instauration and expanding our planetary reach. Lee’s disciplined attack and absorption connected show person acceptable a precocious modular for our industry.”

Lindeman was astir precocious CEO of Hydrofarm Holdings Group, a shaper and distributor of branded hydroponics instrumentality and supplies for controlled-environment agriculture.

After astir 5 years arsenic Calavo CFO, helium joined Hydrofarm successful 2020 arsenic concern main and became CEO and a committee manager successful January this year.

Holmgren, who was elected arsenic the seat past month, added: “We’re precise pleased to invited John backmost to the enforcement team. He knows this institution good from his clip arsenic CFO and arsenic a existent committee member. John brings heavy manufacture cognition and strategical penetration arsenic good arsenic important acquisition successful mergers and acquisitions that volition service Calavo good successful advancing our strategical priorities.”

Lindeman added: “With the dedication and expertise that specify Calavo’s culture, we are good positioned to deepen partnerships, thrust growth, and make sustainable worth for our shareholders.”

Alongside the appointment, Calavo besides provided an update connected the takeover involvement it received successful June from an undisclosed party.

The institution said it is “evaluating each strategical alternatives”.

“The reappraisal process remains ongoing and whitethorn oregon whitethorn not effect successful a transaction. Calavo does not mean to remark further unless a circumstantial improvement warrants disclosure,” it added.

For the fiscal 3rd 4th ended 31 July 2025, Calavo reported nett income of $178.8m, down 0.4% twelvemonth connected year.

Fresh conception income were $155.9m, a 5% decline, portion prepared conception income roseate 40% to $22.9m.

Operating income fell 7.5% to $8.6m. Net income was $4.7m, compared with a nonaccomplishment of $762,000 a twelvemonth earlier.

For the 9 months ended 31 July, nett income were $523.7m, up 6.5% connected the prior-year period.

Fresh conception income accrued 6% to $470.3m and prepared conception income roseate 10% to $53.5m.