CHICAGO – April 19, 2006 – Continuing its momentum in building new business, Information Resources, Inc. (IRI), the leading global provider of enterprise market information solutions for the consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, and healthcare industries, today announced that two divisions of Dole Food Company, Inc., the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers, have switched to IRI as their partner for marketplace information and insights. Dole Packaged Foods in Westlake Village, Calif., and Dole Fresh Vegetables in Salinas, Calif., will utilize a broad variety of services from IRI beginning in September 2006.
“IRI understands the analytic needs of our business and provides solutions that will positively impact our bottom line,” said Dave Spare, vice president of marketing, Dole Packaged Foods.
“After careful review, we determined that IRI had the innovative solutions portfolio we need to drive our business forward,” said Julie Poduch, vice president of marketing, research, and development, Dole Fresh Vegetables. “We look forward to leveraging these solutions with our retail customers.”
“Dole is a great organization, and we are very excited that they chose IRI as their partner for comprehensive market information and analytics,” said IRI President and Chief Executive Officer Scott W. Klein. “The IRI solutions will provide significant insight into consumer preferences that Dole can use to stay ahead of the competition and win at the shelf.”
About Dole Food Company, Inc.
Dole Food Company, Inc., with 2005 revenues of $5.9 billion, is the world's largest producer and marketer of high-quality fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh-cut flowers. Dole markets a growing line of packaged and frozen foods and is a produce industry leader in nutrition education and research.
About Information Resources, Inc.
Information Resources, Inc. (IRI) is the world’s leading provider of enterprise market information solutions and services, empowering its clients to grow their business profitably in a complex marketplace. Driving the transformation of the consumer packaged goods (CPG), retail, and healthcare industries, only IRI provides a unique combination of real-time market content, advanced analytics, enterprise performance management software, and professional services. The company’s portfolio of services, solutions, and technology enable leading retailers and their suppliers around the globe to see what they are missing, act faster with greater confidence and win at the shelf. Ninety-five percent of the FORTUNE Global 500 in CPG and retail leverage IRI to power their business. For more information, visit http://us.infores.com.