LINKFRESH CEO Andy Makeham Discusses Growth and Industry-Specific Needs
VENTURA, CA – With demand for fresh produce at a heightened state, as well as the demand for technology that can streamline delivery of high-quality fruits and vegetables straight to the consumer, LINKFRESH is ramping up its operational and delivery service capacities.
As CEO Andy Makeham recently told me, the company is currently completing its third phase of major growth since coming under new ownership in 2013, and is set to offer our industry even more.
“The fresh produce world is a global village, and we are going to service it,” Andy says of the companies possibilities. So far, LINKFRESH’s reach spans across Europe, Australia, Africa, India, and the United States. “Phase three is all about growth, and that is why I’m here. I have 40 years experience developing and growing ERP businesses.”
Phase one, Andy says, entailed solidifying that LINKFRESH’s product portfolio remained relevant, as witnessed through the launch of LINKFRESH NAV and AX. Phase two bolstered the company’s Fresh Food” delivery team and processes throughout the UK, Europe, and the U.S. With Andy now at the helm, LINKFRESH is expecting to double its business as it moves towards dominating the global fresh produce market.
Andy tells me that what truly differentiates the company, is its produce-specific software and the company’s ability to identify the needs of fresh produce companies. LINKFRESH asserts that it has melded together the language of our industry with that of technology to perform a service for our industry in a way that standard ERP solutions can’t.
“Our software is written around the Microsoft Dynamics platform, which means we’ve just added a fresh produce layer on top of the groundwork which has already been laid for us. The needs of the fresh market are very different from other sectors, so this product was specifically tailored for them,” Andy explains.
The company debuted the latest version of its LINKFRESH solution for Microsoft Dynamics AX, specifically tailored to larger fresh produce companies, at this year’s PMA Fresh Summit, and also marked notable traffic for its LINKFRESH NAV solution, for small or medium-sized companies. This year’s event saw the LINKFRESH team bustling until the floor closed with attendee interest.
From here forward, LINKFRESH plans to streamline its growth and continue to tackle challenges experienced in the industry with software solutions. Additionally, Andy is aiming to build on opportunities at future PMA Fresh Summits, and take advantage of the company's customer references from names like Giumarra and Family Farms Group.
“LINKFRESH offers a modern fresh produce ERP solution that is reliable, and supported globally. Our software is scalable, so it works for the small to medium-sized grower packer through to the multi-national importer and distributor,” Andy finishes. “It’s one solution that grows with a company.”
As all eyes in the industry remain on efficiency and growth, stick with AndNowUKnow for the latest on LINKFRESH and other technology solutions for the supply-side.
