USA: eFruit International signs strategic alliance with Bureau Veritas

eFruit International, creator of online marketplaces for buyers and sellers of agricultural commodities, announced today a partnership with Bureau Veritas, a worldwide leader in Quality, Health and Safety, and Environment (QHSE) services.As a result of the alliance, registered users of eFruit's JuiceMarketplace and FreshMarketplace will have the option of securing Bureau Veritas' onsite quality assurance services via the Internet. Bureau Veritas provides independent, third party verification of product specifications and customized QHSE services, reassuring online buyers that the product they are purchasing maintains the level of quality promised during negotiations."Bureau Veritas is recognized worldwide as a leader in inspection, certification, and testing services for perishable products," eFruit International President Gordon Hunt said. "Our member companies will now have easier access to these necessary services, helping to generate a higher level of trust between our buyers and sellers."With this agreement, Bureau Veritas adds eFruit International to its growing list of business-to-business e-partners. eFruit is the first food-related e-partner with Bureau Veritas."We have been providing trusted inspection services for buyers and sellers around the world for over a century," said Mariano J. Beillard, Business Development Manager for the International Trade Division of Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. "Our partnership with eFruit allows us to reach both existing customers more efficiently, as well as new customers who are introduced to us through the eFruit system."

As a result of the alliance, registered users of eFruit’s JuiceMarketplace and FreshMarketplace will have the option of securing Bureau Veritas’ onsite quality assurance services via the Internet. Bureau Veritas provides independent, third party verification of product specifications and customized QHSE services, reassuring online buyers that the product they are purchasing maintains the level of quality promised during negotiations.

“Bureau Veritas is recognized worldwide as a leader in inspection, certification, and testing services for perishable products,” eFruit International President Gordon Hunt said. “Our member companies will now have easier access to these necessary services, helping to generate a higher level of trust between our buyers and sellers.”

With this agreement, Bureau Veritas adds eFruit International to its growing list of business-to-business e-partners. eFruit is the first food-related e-partner with Bureau Veritas.

“We have been providing trusted inspection services for buyers and sellers around the world for over a century,” said Mariano J. Beillard, Business Development Manager for the International Trade Division of Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. “Our partnership with eFruit allows us to reach both existing customers more efficiently, as well as new customers who are introduced to us through the eFruit system.”

About eFruit International

eFruit International specializes in creating and operating online marketplaces for buyers and sellers of agricultural commodities. The FreshMarketplace, an electronic marketplace for fresh fruit and vegetables, and the JuiceMarketplace, a marketplace for fruit juice, are both found at www.efruitinternational.com; eFruit’s third marketplace, FruitProcurement, will begin beta-testing in fall, 2000. eFruit’s marketplaces allow buyers and sellers to trade online, using a secure Internet site available only to subscribers. eFruit members can also book logistics services without leaving eFruit’s online environment, track and print reports on product traded through eFruit’s website, and read industry news and information supplied by The Food Institute. For more information on eFruit, visit www.efruitinternational.com or call (407) 352-8081.

About Bureau Veritas

Founded in 1828, Bureau Veritas is a professional firm dedicated to Quality, Health and Safety, and Environment management. With a presence in over 120 countries, 500 offices world-wide and a qualified workforce of more than 10,000 experts, Bureau Veritas provides an extensive range of specialized services including advisory services, training, conformity assessment, and other quality-related activities. Bureau Veritas has undisputed expertise across major industrial sectors such as Marine, Energy & Process, Manufacturing, Aeronautics and Space, Construction, Government Contracts, Consumer Products, Food, Health and Transport & Logistics. For more information, please visit www.bureauveritas.com.