French fresh produce storage company opens US headquarters
JMT US, the United States subsidiary of French-based company Janny MT, recently announced its new U.S. operations for the company are to be based in Lansing, Michigan.
“JMT works directly with growers to increase crop value by extending storage time,” said Benoit Janny, Janny MT general manager. “We wanted to develop our business in Michigan due to the large volume of agriculture production.”
JMT US provides storage solutions to fruit and vegetable growers designed to extend the shelf life of fresh produce. The bins can be used in a variety of applications including fruits, vegetables, nuts and flowers. The JMT US storage bin uses innovative technology that leverages cold room storage and controls the oxygen and carbon dioxide naturally inside the bin.
Why Lansing, Michigan?
The company’s decision to distribute from Lansing was largely based on acceleration services accessible through the MI Food Innovation District. The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) was involved in attracting Janny MT to the Lansing Area. LEAP helped them locate initial office space in East Lansing and connected them to web development, insurance and logistics support providers as part of LEAP’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) landing pad program.
JMT US is currently housed in office space managed by T.A. Forsberg off Jolly Road in Meridian Township.
Due to increased sales, JMT US has now commenced distribution operations out of a Port Lansing warehouse. The company is working to supply several Michigan growers, such as the Country Mill Orchard & Cider Mill, with controlled atmosphere storage containers.
“LEAP worked hard to assist JMT US in building a home in the Lansing area, including helping them connect with the deep knowledge and infrastructure our area offers food-related companies,” said Bob Trezise, president & CEO of LEAP. “The Tri-County Region’s robust agricultural industry expertise, history and operations; coupled with Michigan State University’s related expertise and new Food Processing Innovation Center; promises continued growth for existing and future AgTech and Food Innovation companies.”
David Dumaresq, a.k.a. Farmer Dave’s, Fruits and vegetables grower in Dracut, Massachusetts, is a customer of JMT US.
“I started with apples, and more recently tried it with plums, blueberries, carrots, leeks, cabbage, peaches and nectarines,” he said in a testimonial distributed by JMT US. “With the apples, I was able to store them for six additional months, and with plums ib additional month. Both products have great quality when I take them out of CA. For the other commodities, my trials are still ongoing and I will have the results soon.”
Above: David Dumaresq, a.k.a. Farmer Dave’s, Fruits and vegetables grower in Dracut, Massachusetts, is a customer of JMT US. Photo: JMT US
