In 1981 a packing and storage agreement was made with Lucky Badger Orchard to for 7 years.  At this time it was decided that the best way to pack apples was to Pre size the fruit into bins and then later put them into their final containers, so they leased Cascadian Fruit and ran a night shift.

It became obvious that to increase the return to the growers Columbia Fruit needed to improve its market ability.  One of the best in the area seemed to be Beebe Company in Chelan, who was currently being purchased by Dole Fruit Company.  Jim Wade was able to convince Beebe’s export and domestic sales managers, Nick Buak and Glady Bellamy, to form a partnership with him and this became the Columbia Marketing International (CMI).

Throughout this time, Jim Wade was aware of the success that Columbia Fruit was to have.  He continued to develop the property at Old Station in order to one day make the move over there.