In 1961 the Binkley family started a small apple packing
company that grew to be a Canadian leader in apple packaging and sales based
out of the Town of The Blue Mountains, Ontario.
In 2001, Irma and Marius Botden, owners of Botden Orchards
Ltd. implemented innovative technologies and management practices to increase
apple quality and sustainability in Ontario. Such innovations included
high-density orchard plantings, precision GPS planting, drip irrigation, eco
sprayers and advanced pre-sorting and grading systems.
Prior to their departure from the Netherlands, Irma and
Marius negotiated the rights to become the exclusive growers of the Red Prince
apple in Canada and imported rootstock from their nursery in the Netherlands.
In 2001, they became Botden Orchards, and have since been dedicated to the
continual discovery and implementation of innovative agricultural technologies
and best apple production and management practices. Along with the Red Prince
apple, the Botden family grows varieties such as Honeycrisp and Ambrosia.
In August 2013, Botden Orchards became a fully integrated
operation as a grower/ packer/shipper with the acquisition of Binkley Apples
Ltd. Binkley Apples is dedicated to sustainable growing practices and
increasing the volume of local apples for Canadian consumption.
As of August 1, 2017 Binkley Apples has been renamed Blue
Mountain Fruit Company.
The rebranding is part of the evolution of the Botden
family’s business plan. Making major investments in orchard expansion, packing
plant upgrades, purchase of Blue Water storage facility, and growth of the Red
Prince variety. While the job is far
from done, we feel a need to better reflect the current direction of the
company with leadership from the Botden family.
The new name and logo reflect the company’s location as well
as the caring hands, which are integral to the entire process, from growing the
apples to getting them into customer’s hands.