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1973
Another processing plant was opened in Lincolnton, North Carolina, which is located about 40 miles northwest of Charlotte. The plant produced apple sauce, apple juice, and vinegar, and had on-site cold storage facilities and a large warehouse. This is the company's first facility in the Carolinas, and takes advantage of the large local apple crop.


 
1978
Continued automation of the manufacturing facilities continued with the installation of Atlas Pacific peelers, which peeled and cored apples at a much faster rate then the manually fed machines previously used. A few years later, a new press house is built in Winchester with automated Vetter presses.
 
1981
After about a year of construction, the work for the expansion and renovation of the General Office was completed. New construction included offices for executives, a large open area for data processing and a snack bar with an adjoining balcony. In addition, fabric covered wall panels were added to the older section, forming cubicle offices.
 
1985
Shenandoah Apple Cooperative, located adjacent to the Winchester Plant, was purchased by the company. The purchase increased production and warehousing capacity for the Winchester facility. In conjunction, the Atlanta and Martinsburg plants were closed, leaving the company with four processing plants.
 
1989
Skyland Food Products was brought into the company as a fully owned subsidiary. The Delta, Colorado based company enabled National Fruit to gain a marketing and sales foothold in the western United States.
 
1990
The White House brand label underwent major modifications, its first major revision in over three decades. Major changes included using product photos in the vignette and the addition of the White House Heritage message. The new look positioned the company's products as fresh and nutritional.
 
1993
Peach processing was stopped, which marked the beginning of five years of consolidation and restructuring by the company. In 1996, the Timberville and Delta facilities were closed, followed by the sale of the Kent City Plant in 1998. In addition, all apple processing was moved to the Winchester plant in the summer of 1998, as operations changed from seasonal to year-round. In conjunction, millions were spent upgrading lines and installing new equipment.
 
Today
After 98 years, the Armstrongs decided to sell their family business. Fortunately, the company was sold to one of our long-term senior managers and a group of local investors. The company was able to retain their deep pool of multiple generations of employees. The company is looking forward to the challenges of continuing the family tradition of producing quality products through their brands, private label, food service and co-packing divisions for the next 100 years.
 
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