LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the incor-
poration of K.M. Davies Company in New York State

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor those busi-
nesses within the State of New York which distinguish themselves through
outstanding professional behavior, corporate innovation, and enduring
commitment to the community; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 100th Anniversary of the Incorporation of K.M. Davies Company
in New York State on Wednesday, January 29, 2014; and
WHEREAS, K.M. Davies Company began as a fruit and vegetable canning
operation in 1895 at its present site on Lake Avenue in Williamson, New
York; during this time, Kerrison M. Davies served as sole proprietor
utilizing locally grown produce, and incorporation papers were filed
with the New York Department of State on January 29, 1914; and
WHEREAS, Customary for the times, canning companies constructed cold
storage facilities in order to preserve perishable fruits and vegetables
until the time for processing; Mr. Davies became involved in storage
construction and operation at K.M. Davies Company as well as at the
Williamson Storage & Ice Company in 1909; the facility is still in oper-
ation today as the Williamson Storage Co.; and
WHEREAS, Fire destroyed the physical plant in March of 1916, and the
two story building, as it stands today, was built over a two year period
with a capacity of 70,000 barrels; processing and canning continued
utilizing berries, spinach, tomatoes, peas, beets, apples and cherries;
and
WHEREAS, Fresh produce shipped from Williamson in the early 1900s was
primarily by railroad; cars were cooled with ice cut from nearby ponds
in the winter; in 1922 K.M. Davies Company installed mechanical ice
making equipment, and ice production continued into the 1990s with
production reaching over 2,000 tons annually; and
WHEREAS, In 1922, the company expanded cold storage capacity by
constructing a 300 feet by 150 feet at grade, single story, clay tile
building; the new space was used for peaches, apples, potatoes, carrots,
lettuce and celery, and the building is still in use as a cold storage
today; and
WHEREAS, A produce wash house was constructed in 1933, for repackers
of lettuce and celery; during this time power consumption was changing
from steam, generated onsite, to electricity made offsite using steam
driven generators; in 1941, diesel engines were installed at the plant
to power ammonia compressors due to the high electricity charges; and
WHEREAS, The early 1930s brought hard times, and canning operations
subsequently ceased; the company reorganized in 1933, with a new Board
of Directors and the State Bank of Williamson; debts were retired while
the business thrived and prospered focusing solely on cold storage,
logistics and brokerage activities; and
WHEREAS; During the 1950s and 1960s, long term Controlled Atmosphere
Storage for apples, pears and onions was being researched and developed
in collaboration with Cornell University; commercial CA rooms were first
built at K.M. Davies Company in the early 1960s; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, continuing research with Universities and the
private sector along with expanding domestic and world market demand for
fresh produce and food, kept the company and all of its employees on the
leading edge of storage, service and logistics innovation; and
WHEREAS, Today, remaining true to its motto of keeping your products
fresh, naturally, K.M. Davies has over 8 million cubic feet of refriger-

ated space, the majority used as air tight Controlled Atmosphere rooms;
it also has 350,000 cubic feet which is sharp freeze and subzero Fahren-
heit capable along with dry storage rooms; and
WHEREAS, K.M. Davies Company employees handle more than 300 million
pounds of food and ingredient commodities annually for growers, process-
ors, fresh packers, shippers, wholesalers and retailers; products arrive
by truck, rail car and intermodal or piggy back container; its customers
are from the United States, Canada and around the world; and
WHEREAS, The Company's physical plant is continually maintained and
upgraded using the latest technology and engineering controls to insure
the safety of personnel, products in storage, its neighbors and the
environment; and
WHEREAS, K.M. Davies Company is ably led by President James H.
Verbridge, Vice President Robert A. Verbridge, Secretary/Treasurer Emily
K. Verbridge, and Trustees James M. Verbridge, Lloyd C. Verbridge, Doug-
las Mason, and Christopher Brower; and
WHEREAS, K.M. Davies Company stands ready to serve the storage, logis-
tics and brokerage needs of its customers throughout New York State, the
Nation and the World; and
WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowl-
edges the K.M. Davies Company's success, recognizes its contributions to
the local and State economies, and extends its highest commendation to
the corporation and its employees, fully confident that, in its future,
it will enjoy the same success which has so characterized its past; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the incorporation of K.M. Davies
Company in New York State; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to K.M. Davies Company, Williamson, New York.