Kings River Packing announced it has acquired Gillette Citrus in Dinuba. Kings River Packing image

A pair of family businesses in the vertically integrated ag space have joined forces though an acquisition.

Sanger-based Kings River Packing announced this week it has acquired Gillette Citrus in Dinuba. It’s part of an expansion plan that includes the opening of a new 225,000 square-foot packing facility later this year and a new corporate headquarters in July.

Kings River Packing was founded in 1977 but has eight generations in the citrus industry, starting with William and Mary Hazelton in 1853. Founder Doug Hazelton, the fifth-generation in the citrus business, died May 20 at age 86.

The Gillette family began citrus farming in Southern California in the late 1800s, later relocating its operations to the Central Valley in the 1970s. Today it has five generations in the family business, according to its website. A licensed packer for Sunkist Growers, Gillette Citrus grows, packs and ships more than 3,500 acres of citrus. It has two packing facilities and handles more than 100 million pounds of citrus annually.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“It gives us satisfaction knowing the legacy we have built will continue through the Kings River Packing family,” said Mark Gillette, former co-Owner of Gillette Citrus, in a news release.

In addition to opening a new corporate headquarters and expanding its in-house marketing team, Kings River Packing is building a new 225,000-square-foot facility expected to be complete in time for the upcoming season, which kicks off with harvest around December.

“Proactive planning and investment are necessary for us to stay competitive and ensure the legacy can continue from one generation to the next. Many of the plans have been years in the making and it is awesome to finally see them come to life,” said Bobby Hines, director of sales/family owner of Kings River Packing.