Wholesum recently hosted its companywide strategy event on April 30, “Steps Towards Progress,” uniting employees from across the organization in a powerful display of shared purpose, collaboration and ambition.
The event served as a platform to unveil Wholesum’s strategic direction for the coming years, grounded in the company’s vision, mission and purpose. With a strong focus on transformation, innovation and sustainable growth, the strategy introduced new initiatives, long-term projects and a set of cross-functional strategic teams that will lead the company into the next few years, according to a news release.
Five strategic teams were introduced during the event, each spearheading a core area of growth, advancing key objectives including innovation, market intelligence, labor and technology, and other critical priorities. These teams are charged with developing and executing initiatives that align with Wholesum’s values-driven culture and long-term goals, the release said.
One tangible outcome of this strategic approach was the inaugural vendor recognition ceremony, a new initiative led by one of the strategic teams focused on deepening partnerships within the supply chain, the company said, adding that for the first time, Wholesum recognized six standout vendors selected based on a newly developed, cross-departmental scoring system that evaluated performance in areas such as service quality, ethical practices, delivery reliability, pricing and collaborative support.
“Vendors play an essential role in our success and in the execution of our strategic priorities,” said Theojary Crisantes Jr., chief operations officer for Wholesum during the ceremony. “They are a critical part of our interconnected supply chain, and this event was an opportunity not only to recognize their contributions, but to share our strategic vision so we can continue building mutually beneficial relationships.”
Wholesum said recognizing top vendors by farm exemplified its commitment to partnership and accountability across its stakeholder community. The company believes that when vendors understand its direction, particularly in areas like sustainability or innovation, they are better equipped to contribute ideas and materials that align with evolving needs.
The 2025 vendor recognition honorees included:
- International Paper Co.
- JDR Transport, LLC
- Celulosa y Corrugados de Sonora, S.A. de C.V.
- Agri-Packing Supply, Inc.
- Koppert
- Fast Acrylic, LLC
“This kind of collaboration doesn’t happen by accident,” said Ricardo Crisantes, chief commercial officer for Wholesum. “It’s the result of shared values, continuous dialogue and a commitment to excellence.”
Led by Wholesum’s leadership team, Steps Towards Progress emphasized that every role, internal and external, contributes to a larger shared purpose. The event left a clear message: Transformation is a collective journey.
“We are all interconnected in this process,” Ricardo Crisantes said, “and our progress depends on our ability to move forward together.”