Ciruli Brothers

Ciruli Brothers LLC
Nogales, AZ

“The greatest gift we received from our dad was a good solid work ethic and we want to make sure we pass that down to the next generation.”

Ciruli Brothers

Ciruli Brothers LLC

Ciruli Brothers began as a company in 1940 as a growing-shipping operation in Pueblo, Colorado, founded by Charles Ciruli Sr., who previously was a produce buyer for Piggly-Wiggly Supermarkets. Today his son, Chuck Jr., under who the company grew exponentially over the last five decades, still takes an active role in the company with the day to day operations now in the hands of the next generation: Chuck III and Chris.

Life for Children of a Produce Salesman

“You’ve heard of migrant workers, my dad was a migrant salesman,” said. Chris. He moved with the seasons from Nogales to Bakersfield to San Diego and back again. Chuck III and Chris’ respective birthplaces were determined by the season, as was their schooling every year.

Family Business

“We grew up in the business…coming to the office with my dad when we were small and working here when we were in high school and college. We didn’t have to get in the business, but my dad opened up lots of avenues of communication and we already had a list of customers when we started, so it made sense to choose this career.”

The Next Generation

“I don’t know yet but there is that possibility. Our kids are still small. I have three kids, two sons and a daughter, 8, 6 and 5, and my brother has two small girls, 3 and 1. They’ve started to come to the office on Saturdays just like we did. And they have started emptying the trash just like we did.”