b'G R O U P C O M P A N Y C E O I N T E R V I E WHighline CEO Help Mushrooms Find Growthas Group Company Begins New EraF ounded in 1961 by Dr. Murray ONeil, Highline Mushrooms, now a SCOA Group Company, began as a small family farm in Leamington,Ontario. With a focus on family values, excellence, innovation and work ethic, the company has grown to be the worlds largest grower of organic mushrooms. Shipping to Canada, the United States and Japan, Highline is one of the largest growers of fresh mushrooms in North America. Always searching out and investing in the most advanced growing technology, in 1985, Highline became the first farm in Canada to incorporate the novel Dutch-growing method, where a mushrooms growing cycle is only four weeks long. This revolutionary change allowed the company to supply customers with whiter, denser mushrooms, resulting in an advantage that reinforced their know-how and made them stand out from their competitors.Last year, Highline welcomed its new CEO Jose Cambon, who cameto Highline from a background in Australian farming and with a wealthof experience in new technology farming techniques. We caught upwith Cambon in Leamington, where Highline still maintains its HQ, Above: Jose Cambon, CEO ofand its commitment to growing the best mushrooms in the world. Highline MushroomsWhat was the first priority when you became CEO ofThe people that I have encountered across Highline and the Highline?Sumitomo organizations have been wonderful.All are com-On joining Highline I prioritized two key things;Learning themitted to work together to ensure Highline becomes the most business and getting to know the team.Having spent over 10successful mushroom business it can possibly be.years in the sector, I have a strong understand of the fun- How did your vertical farming background inform your damentals of mushrooms farming. However, North America,mission to lead of one of the largest growers of fresh Highline and Sumitomo were all new. mushrooms in North America? On the business front, Highline has a rich history, having pio- Well, firstly, people should understand the connection be-neered mushroom farming in North America and from this hastween vertical farming and mushroom farming. Most people stemmed a strong B2B brand.In more recent years, Highlineare not aware that mushroom farms are the original vertical has focused on growth, having made a number of acquisitionsfarms.Mushroom are grown indoors, in vertically stacked just before COVID.As you would understand, integrating anshelves.organization is always challenging, but doing this in a COVIDI joined Highline after having spent the last 10 years of my environment is exponentially more difficult.This has createdcareer working for Australias largest agricultural business, some legacy issues for the business. Under Suzuki-Sansthe Costa Group. During this time I worked in the Mushroom stewardship, our focus is building on Highlines great history,and Tomato sectors of the organization (the Vertical Farming whilst addressing the challenges and taking advantage ofCategory). the growing consumer interest and demand for products that deliver health and sustainabilitymushrooms are both highlyVertical Farming is currently in vogue with the public and nutritious and gentle on the earth. investors as its impact on the environment in significantlyless than traditional farmingparticularly its use of landand water. In addition, protected indoor growing delivers14 visions Spring 2023'