Chris Hacking, In Memoriam

Co-Founder of the INC, Chris Hacking was Vice-Chairman from the foundation of the INC on January 24, 1986, until 1991. Together with Antonio Pont, Hans Ramseier, Hubert Berrebi, John Degler, Paul Graf, Pino Calcagni and Simon Khayat, the founders envisioned an interdisciplinary and international effort to improve knowledge about tree nuts, to strengthen the sector, and to promote research and consumption. With amazing foresight, they identified the issues and pictured a direct membership organization -the INC. Senator since 1993, Hacking also chaired the XI World Tree Nut Congress, held in London, in 1997, which attracted more than 520 participants.

In 1956, Christopher Hacking joined T.M. Duché & Sons, coconut oil and desiccated coconut specialists since 1857. Few companies in the UK or the United States can trace their origins for as many years into the past as Duché. Tristan-Mathieu Duché was serving as a member of the French Parliament when, as a result of a coup d’état by Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, he and his family were exiled to England. He founded T.M. Duché & Sons in 1857, entering into the international trading of foodstuffs. The company prospered and soon established branches around the world. In the early 1940’s, recognizing the tremendous potential of California’s nut crops, Duché acquired a processing plant in Orland, and shortly thereafter, Duché began to concentrate exclusively on processing, packaging and marketing of California almonds and walnuts.

Chris Hacking left The Regent Oil Co. and joined T.M. Duché in 1956. In 1971, Duché & Hacking was formed, and C.G. Hacking & Sons Limited evolved in 1972. In 1991, C.G. Hacking & Sons bought a controlling stake in T.M. Duché from the commodity giant S&W Berisford. Today, C.G. Hacking & Sons specializes in global trade, marketing and European import and distribution of tree nuts -a field in which they have over 100 years combined experience.

For his outstanding achievements and contribution to the nut and dried fruit industry, Chris was honored with the Golden Nut Award in 1997, which is the maximum international recognition to the excellence in the sector.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

NB: The current business of T.M. Duché Nut Co. in Orland CA is a stand alone company, and has no relationship, financial or otherwise, with C.G. Hacking & Sons.