As FOUNDER of Heinzen MANUFACTURING International, Alan Heinzen has been at the leading edge of technical innovation in the fresh-cut industry for more than 40 years. His engineering experience and manufacturing background have enabled him to focus on designing quality equipment and processing lines with emphasis on production, maintenance and food safety. Alan has managed all facets of the design, production, and installation of processing plants from the ground up, from value-added broccoli plants to complete lettuce processing lines. His experience includes working with customers such as Taylor Farms, Mann Packing, Gilroy Foods, Dole Fresh Vegetables, Christopher Ranch, D'Arrigo Bros., Dixie Produce & Packaging, Fresh Express and Tanimura & Antle.
Alan received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 1973. His first job out of college was a Project Engineering position for a manufacturing company. Within 2 years, Alan was offered a position at a frozen foods company in Watsonville as a Project Engineer, Plant Engineer, and Maintenance Supervisor. In 1978, Alan started his business as a Consultant Engineer for Mann Packing in Salinas for their new Packing Operating. This evolved into Heinzen Manufacturing International. The emphasis then was to build good equipment. The equipment had to be strong enough to travel back and forth from Salinas to Yuma. Now it still needs to be strong enough to travel, but sanitary enough to comply with FSMA and food safety requirements of today's processing facilities.
Alan Heinzen continues to support the local communities in many ways including the Gilroy Garlic Festival and Hartnell College. Alan has donated his time, company resources, and materials to the Gilroy Garlic Festival, helping the festival comply with Food Safety requirements of the local Health Department. He has served as Gourmet Alley and Recipe Chairs as well as a member of the Board of Directors.