BU 240 45 International Business – Spring 2019

To: Professor Marshall

From: Isabella Battiata

Date: January 18, 2019

Re: Executive Brief #1 – Dole Food Company: Business Between United States and Germany

Introduction:

The purpose of this executive brief is to inform the reader of the background of the Dole
Company and of two of its company headquarters, one being the United States and the other
being Germany. A comparison of how each country handles its business will also be provided in
this brief.
The Dole Food Company established itself in 1851 in Hawaii and has since expanded its
production all over the world. They primarily distribute fresh fruits and vegetables, with specific
fruits, like citrus fruit, grown in specific countries, like Latin America, South Africa and Spain.

Dole Overview:

The Dole Food Company strives to provide high-quality fresh food products while

simultaneously protecting the environment in each of its production sites worldwide. Dole is a

globalized company that has become a household name since its startup in 1851. Their mission

“committed to supplying the consumer and our customers with the finest, high-quality products

and to leading the industry in nutrition research and education” (Dole, 2017). Hawaii was the

first location of the Dole foundation in 1851, which was founded by Samuel Castle and Amos

Cooke who were both originally from Boston. Phillip Astheimer & Sohn was established in
Germany in 1863 and acted as the basis for Dole’s European business. The Dole Food Company

received its new name in 1991 after previously being named the Hawaiian Pineapple Company

in 1901. Today, they offer over 300 products worldwide, operating in 90 different countries,

including Latin American countries such as Chile, Costa Rica, and Columbia as well as

European, African, and Middle East countries such as Germany (European headquarters),

Sweden, South Africa, Portugal, Russia and more across the globe. This brief will be focusing on

the business exchange of bananas between the Dole headquarters in the U.S. and the Dole

headquarters in Germany.

Brief history of Germany

The Dole Food Company has its European headquarters based in Hamburg, Germany. In

these headquarters, all business decisions in the European sector run through there. There is one

banana ripening, produce and flower distribution center in Germany. “Germany imports a wide

range of fresh fruit and vegetables from both Dole’s own farms and independent growers from

all over the world” (Dole, 2017). In 1991, Dole controlled an impressive 22% of the global

banana market; they were second to their biggest rival, Chiquita, which controlled 33% of the

global banana market. In 1990, studies showed that nearly a third of Dole’s sales came from

bananas, and approximately 40% of operating profits came from bananas (Bancroft, 1991). “The

European Union Banana Market: Demand Estimation and Evaluation of the New Import

Regime,” written by Adriana Chacón Cascante, states that the European Union (EU) is one of the

world’s biggest importers of bananas and, as such, import policies enforced by this trade union

are likely to have a great impact on major producers of bananas, i.e. Dole. (Cascante, 2006).

Germany governs as a democratic, federal republic. According to the textbook, a democracy is a

political system in which government is by the people, exercised either directly or through
elected representatives (Hill & Hult, 2018, p. 41). The way Germany’s geography is set up is

perfect for trade, making it one of the world’s top importers and exporters.

Brief History of the United States

The Dole Headquarters in the United States is based in Westlake Village, California.

They are considered the world’s largest fresh fruit and vegetable company. Although originating

in Hawaii due to its tropical climate, California quickly became the first option in importing and

exporting Dole products, and was also the first state, outside of Hawaii, to house the Dole

company in 1976. The California headquarters gets its bananas imported directly from Hawaii

since there are no extra taxes due to both states being a part of the same country. This is where

Castle and Cooke changed its name to Dole Fresh Vegetables in 1989, and then to its modern

name, the Dole Food Company, in 1991.

Summary

Based on the brief thus far, it is clear that the dominant Dole company will continue

making profits and expanding its company even further. The headquarters in Germany runs the

entire European sector of the Dole Food Company. The record setting banana consumption of

the European leg has boosted the sales tremendously. So much so that Dole is the second highest

vendor for bananas in the world, only second to Chiquita. This major consumption and

production of bananas for Dole will further prove to be a major asset to the company as a whole,

while simultaneously building the economy in each country they establish themselves in.
 References

www.dole.eu/Company#

www.dole.com/AboutDole/world-of-dole

www.businessculture.org

Cascante, A. C. (2006). The European Union banana market: Demand estimation and evaluation

of the new import regime (Doctoral dissertation) [Abstract].

Bancroft, T. (1991). A new kind of cash cow. Forbes, 148(8), 52–54. Retrieved from

https://setonhill.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=tru

e&db=bsh&AN=9110143245&site=ehost-live