**Company History and Evolution:**
– Dole plc has a rich history dating back to the establishment of Castle & Cooke in 1851.
– The Hawaiian Pineapple Company, founded in 1901 by James Drummond Dole, played a significant role in the company’s growth.
– Dole expanded through acquisitions, including the purchase of Lanai island in 1922 and the merger with Standard Fruit in 1968.
– The separation from Castle & Cooke in 1996 marked a new phase of expansion for Dole, including acquisitions of other food companies.
– The company faced financial struggles in the early 2000s but was rescued by David H. Murdock in 2003.
**Operational Overview and Reach:**
– Dole is a major player in the produce industry, particularly in Europe, with a strong presence in countries like Ireland, Spain, and Denmark.
– The company has a diverse portfolio, including fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, and packaged food products.
– Dole’s operations span across 109,000 acres of farmland, 13 cargo vessels, five manufacturing plants, 75 packing houses, and 160 distribution centers.
– The company is vertically integrated, with plantations in Central America and a focus on quality and safety in its production processes.
**Leadership and Headquarters:**
– As of 2021, Dole plc is led by CEO Rory Byrne, chairman Carl McCann, and COO Johan Lindén.
– Following a merger with Total Produce, Dole plc has its world headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and US headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
– The company’s management team plays a crucial role in steering Dole’s operations and strategic direction.
**Product Range and Partnerships:**
– Dole offers a wide range of fresh produce, including bananas, pineapples, salads, and vegetables.
– The company has brand licensing agreements with entities like The Walt Disney Company and Pepsico for branded fruits, vegetables, and beverages.
– Dole focuses on providing healthy and sustainable options to consumers, emphasizing quality and freshness in its products.
**Financial Performance and Market Presence:**
– Dole plc generates annual revenues exceeding $4 billion and was publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange before being acquired by Total Produce in 2018.
– The company faced challenges related to food safety controversies, including recalls and lawsuits, impacting its market reputation.
– Dole’s market impact includes strategies for operational efficiency, product diversification, and efforts to regain consumer trust post-recalls, leading to stock fluctuations post-IPO.
Dole plc (previously named Dole Food Company and Standard Fruit Company) is an Irish-American agricultural multinational corporation headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. The company is among the world's largest producers of fruit and vegetables, operating with 38,500 full-time and seasonal employees who supply some 300 products in 75 countries. Dole reported 2021 revenues of $6.5 billion.
 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| NYSE: DOLE | |
| ISIN | IE0003LFZ4U7 |
| Industry | Agribusiness |
| Founded | June 2, 1851 Kingdom of Hawaii |
| Founder | Samuel Northrup Castle Amos Starr Cooke James Dole |
| Headquarters | , Ireland |
Key people | Carl McCann (Chairman) Rory Byrne (CEO) Johan Lindén (COO) |
| Products | Fruit Vegetables Other food products |
| Revenue | US$6.5 billion (2021) |
| $349.1 million (2021) | |
Number of employees | 38,500 |
| Website | doleplc.com |
As of 2021, the company had approximately 250 processing plants and distribution centers worldwide in addition to 109,000 acres (44,000 ha) of farmland and real estate. The company operates through four segments: Fresh Fruit (bananas and pineapples; about 35% of 2020 revenues); Diversified Fresh Produce in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; Diversified Fresh Produce in the Americas and other world regions (combined 37% of 2020 revenues); and Fresh Vegetables (29% of 2020 revenues). Dole grows and markets bananas, pineapples, grapes, berries, deciduous and citrus fruits, and vegetable salads. Dole operates a 13-vessel shipping line for importing its produce and exporting third-party goods to Latin America.
The multinational company PepsiCo sells bottled fruit beverages under license using the Dole brand. Dole has a comarketing agreement with The Walt Disney Company to encourage the public, including children, to consume fruits and vegetables.