From its very modest beginnings in 1961 Highline has grown to become one of the largest independent growers of mushrooms in Canada, it is certainly the most technically advanced. All substrate is prepared in modern computer-controlled chambers and all production is "cold chain committed" (33 -38 degrees F., or 1 -3 degrees C.) from harvest to delivery. It is a proactive, innovative, resourceful "hands on" company, dedicated to aggressively pursuing excellence. Highline manages from the "ground up,", associates (employees) are encouraged to participate in decision making, and it strives to consistently grow quality products, delivered on a timely basis, in a cordial manner and at very competitive prices. Below is a chronological history of Highline. Just click a year to be taken to that point in Highline's history: 1961 1963 1964 1968 1977 1980 1981 1983 1985 1988 1990 1998 2003 Today 1961 Highline Produce Limited originated with an unlikely combination of entrepreneurs: a doctor, Murray O'Neil, a dentist, Wilmer (Bill) Pritchard, and a promoter/mushroom grower. Their early efforts resulted in the construction of a small, eight-room growing structure. Back To Top 1963 For various reasons, 3 of the 4 partners left the business, leaving Dr. Murray O'Neil in sole ownership of the then unsuccessful operation. Back To Top 1964 Willie and Joyce Zimmermann joined the enterprise, making a strong, loyal, and durable contribution to Highline's future. Their son, Lawrence born in 1963 and whose prenatal existence was the reason for Dr. O'Neil to meet the Zimmermanns in the first place, has over the years, become a stalwart and important part of Highline offering the same valuable traits possessed by his parents. This family remains a key part of Highline to this day. Back To Top 1968 First major expansion was deemed feasible. Between then and 1980 a total of 13 large "American Double" type chambers were built, along with state of the art 1970's material handling and air management systems. Back To Top 1977 Production reached one million pounds per year. Back To Top 1980 Between 1962 and 1980, Highline let in the establishment of what became a well-respected marketing group called Essex County Mushrooms. Its purpose was to pool the mushrooms produced by a dozen small local farms, predominately to supply the Heinz soup market in Leamington. The cooperative's marketing skills were enhanced by the arrival of Pat Lord of Kingsville Mushroom Farms in 1976. Rolland Farms, in nearby Kent county joined the marketing group and the name was changed to Essex Kent Mushrooms (EKM). Back To Top 1981 Production reached two million pounds per year. Back To Top 1983 New mushroom-growing technology was emerging from Holland, and Highline was quick to grasp its significance. The farm began construction of a facility employing these new methods including computer process control. Back To Top 1985 Completion of what was probably the most advanced mushroom farm in North America. Though separated from the original buildings by 2 kilometers there was sharing of composting areas, soil preparation, and packaging/shipping. Back To Top 1988 The original facility, long dormant, or otherwise utilized, was converted to Shiitake culture, operated initially by Murray's son David, later by his brother Ejay. A partnership was entered into with a spawn (seed) maker, one Barry Steven, and a modern spawn-making plant was built in Leamington. The success of these ventures was modest, Shiitake eventually became unprofitable due to the importation of Chinese Shiitake, and the spawn plant was sold to Sylvan in 1999. It has been converted and expanded into one of the most modern facilities of this type in the world. Highline continues to have a small interest in this very successful spawn making operation. Back To Top 1990 Emboldened by its success and confident of its management ability, Highline seized an opportunity to acquire Campbell Soup farms in Eastern Canada, the Wellington farm near Picton, Ontario, and the Terra farm, originally built by John Labatt and sold to Campbell, located near Montreal. These acquisitions more than doubled Highline's productive capacity, but management changes and updated technology were necessary to make them profitable. Highline chose to sever its marketing arrangement with EKM (Essex Kent Mushrooms) and has continued to market its products independently since then. A distribution agency was formed in Montreal called Agrisol, and has proven to be very efficient; its success in large measure can be attributed to the efforts of its manager, Michael Rotter. Back To Top 1998 Murray's son, Andrew joined the Company after completing studies in microbiology at Concordia University and was clearly destined for a glowing future with Highline. Back To Top 2003 Andrew O'Neil had just become Chief Operating Officer after leading a remarkable expansion and upgrade of cultural skills at Wellington. He would have been soon moving back to Leamington and was Highline's heir apparent, when he suddenly and tragically died. The full extent of this loss has not yet and may never be fully appreciated. Terra, for various reasons was taken out of production, but Wellington, a large tray farm had been converted into a very advanced and profitable operation, perhaps the most advanced farm of this type in the world. Back To Top Today Highline's innovative techniques include, bulk aerated substrate (compost) preparation, faster, cheaper, and more consistent than other practices, bulk handling of all phases of pre-crop substrate including pasteurizing and seeding (spawning), acceleration of cropping cycle such that 13 crops per year are grown (8 crops being the norm) in each chamber. This has resulted in the avoidance of any pesticides whatsoever during the growing cycle - an unexpected plus which flows from the speed the crops are cycled. This accelerated process also results in better quality generally. Highline has always been innovative and has pioneered many techniques over the years, ever striving to achieve our slogan of "first we will be best, then we will be first". Freshness through high cultivation standards and maintaining the cold chain are two of Highline Mushroom's most important marketing considerations; hence, harvesting begins each morning at 6:30 AM. All product is immediately vacuum cooled and is maintained in climate controlled cold storage until shipped that day or early the next AM, as the customer prefers, always in climate controlled trucks. Unless rejected by a customer, all packages are labeled 'Grown without Pesticides' 'cultivee sans pesticides'. Highline is developing a HACCP (Hazardous Analysis for Critical Control Points) program for its farms, and is bringing new products to the marketplace including Canada's first "Triple washed and sliced mushrooms", various forms of Portabella - a fast growing and very palatable variant, and all the usual varieties of exotic mushrooms including shiitake, oyster (Pleurotus), and Enoki. As well, there is participation in all sorts of promotional activity, distribution of instructions for proper preparation and use of various mushroom products, and even regularly conducted tours of the farms. There is a very comprehensive benefits package enjoyed by our associates. Major benefits include expanded health care, a drug plan, confidential personal guidance program, group life insurance, a pension plan, and a generous profit sharing program (which Highline has not failed to provide during the last 15 years). The current management team is led by Glenn Martin, President and CEO, ably assisted by Harry Enns, the CFO, Michael Rotter, newly appointed Sales Director and his staff, John Kristalyn - Farm Manager and his staff at Wellington, Kathy Vanderhaeghe, our newly appointed Human Resources Director, and indeed all the people who collectively make Highline uniquely successful in the competitive world of Mushroom Cultivation. Highline has an effective Board of Directors, Chaired by Murray O'Neil and ably assisted by his daughter Elizabeth, who along with Willie Zimmermann, Harry Enns, Pat Lord, Bill Fellows, and Elvey Marshall constitute the Board of Directors of Highline. 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