DOLE TURNS SOIL AT HEADQUARTERS SITE.

Byline: Sonia Giordani Daily News Staff Writer

Dole Food Co., the world's largest pineapple grower and one of the largest producers of fruits and vegetables, officially broke ground Tuesday on its $50 million international headquarters.

Gov. Pete Wilson and Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Woodland Hills, joined more than 200 employees and community leaders at the 30-acre site along Via Rocas, where the 160,500-square-foot facility will be built.

``Dole Food has been planning for a long time now to build an outstanding world headquarters from which we will be able to communicate all around the world,'' said David H. Murdock, the chief executive officer who moved the 145-year-old company into four leased office buildings in Westlake Village in 1991.

Now operating in more than 90 countries, with national offices reaching from Westwood to Boca Raton, Fla., Dole will consolidate nearly 300 employees in its permanent headquarters and coordinate its operations around the world.

Expected to open by May 1999, the three-story building will feature a red-brick facade and sky-lit atrium, and will be equipped with direct satellite capabilities, a product testing laboratory, research library, fitness center, auditorium, exhibit spaces, gardens and landscaped open spaces.

A 20-year resident of Hidden Valley, Murdock praised the Conejo Valley for its ``high quality of life and first-rate labor force.''

He added that the $4.2 billion corporation fits into California's and adjacent Ventura County's commitment to agriculture.

``This company could have located its headquarters anywhere in the world - and it chose California and it chose Westlake Village. I take it as a measure of how well things are going here,'' said Gov. Pete Wilson, who spoke to a receptive audience under a white tent on the 30-acre plot.

Sherman presented the company with a U.S. flag in recognition of its commitment to local charities, including United Way, the Wellness Community, the March of Dimes and Second Harvest Food Bank.

Dole acquired the site several years ago, and originally proposed a 340,000-square-foot complex. After a series of internal reorganizations and downsizing, the company scaled down its plan.

David DeLorenzo, Dole's chief operating officer, said the new headquarters - which will occupy 10.7 acres - likely will be expanded to accommodate the company's growth.

``In keeping with our continued plans for growth, this site will allow us to add space as we double and triple our size,'' he said.

With tractors poised nearby, Murdock and DeLorenzo were joined by Westlake Village Mayor Kris Carraway-Bowman and other dignitaries in breaking ground in a ceremonial turning of the dirt.

``One of my greatest goals as mayor this year was to see Dole get started on building its world headquarters. They came to us five years ago with a plan to build a beautiful building,'' said Carraway-Bowman. ``I want to thank you for making one of my first goals a reality and quite easily, too.''

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3 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color in Conejo Edition only) Breaking ground Tuesday at the site of Dole's new headquarters are, from left, Rep. Brad Sherman, Gov. Pete Wilson, Dole CEO David H. Murdock, Westlake Village Mayor Kris Carraway-Bowman and Dole operating officer David DeLorenzo.

(2) A tent shelters people attending Dole Food's headquarters groundbreaking ceremony at the site at the foot of hills in Westlake Village.

(3--Ran in Conejo Edition only) Dole Chief Executive Officer David H. Murdock addresses the audience at the ceremony.

Tina Gerson / Daily News