CEO
Habelman Brothers Co. | Tomah
Fourth-generation cranberry farmer Ray Habelman Jr. is carrying on his family’s legacy as the leader of Habelman Brothers Co., the world’s largest fresh cranberry grower and packer. Habelman oversees operations of Habelman Brothers’ central Wisconsin locations in Millston, Tomah and Tunnel City. Combined, those farms comprise more than 700 acres of actively producing cranberries. The company also has two certified packing facilities and 43,000 square feet of cooler storage capacity. It has 40 full-time and 250 seasonal employees.
The business sets itself apart as a producer of fresh cranberries, which make up just 5% of the overall cranberry market. Most of Habelman’s cranberries are processed for juice concentrate and dried cranberries, which are sold in grocery stores across the U.S., Canada and Europe.
Wisconsin produces about 60% of all the cranberries grown in the U.S., making it the nation’s leading grower of cranberries. The industry generates about $1 billion in state economic impact.
Under Habelman’s leadership, the farm has adopted new technology and practices to become more sustainable, including progressive nutrient management and integrated pest management programs on the marsh.
Education: Bachelor’s, Marquette University
2022 Wisconsin 275 Profile
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CEO
Habelman Bros. Co. | Tomah
Ray Habelman is the fourth-generation leader of Habelman Bros. Co., a family-run and -owned cranberry farm in Tomah and the world’s largest fresh cranberry grower and packer. Habelman oversees operations at the company’s three central Wisconsin locations in Millston, Tomah and Tunnel City, which together total 670 acres of actively producing cranberries. In addition, the company has two certified packing facilities. It employs 40 full-time and 250 seasonal employees.
The business sets itself apart as a producer of fresh cranberries, which make up just 5% of the overall cranberry market; most cranberries are processed for juice concentrate and dried cranberries. Though it is more costly to do, Habelman has said fresh cranberries is the family’s legacy. Habelman Bros. fruit is sold in grocery stores across the U.S., Canada and Europe. The No. 1 export from Wisconsin, cranberries make up a nearly $1 billion industry in the state.
Under Habelman’s leadership, the farm has adopted various sustainable practices, including a progressive nutrient management and integrated pest management programs on the marsh.
Education: Bachelor’s, Marquette University
