Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/246775
Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily ARG Manufacturing (Con't. from p. 1) The NSF Home Product Certification Program is based on, but separate from, the NSF Commercial Foodservice Equipment Certification Program. Many municipal food codes in the U.S. mandate commercial establishments use foodservice equipment certified to NSF commercial food equipment standards. The NSF Home Product Certification Program builds on this commercial expertise by now helping to ensure the safety and quality of consumer products and appliances used in the home. Through this program, products are thoroughly tested against a rigorous set of protocols at NSF's laboratories. The protocols are specific to home use and incorporate all applicable product quality, performance and food contact material regulations. Production facilities also undergo a thorough audit to verify that systems are KeepCup (Con't. from p. 1) reusable cup. They replicate the four industry standard sizes, so the barista can make the coffee directly into the cup. KeepCup is fit for purpose, it does not compromise speed and quality behind the machine but is also attractive, individual, easy to carry and dishwasher safe. KNSD: Sustainability is important to your business, tell us about this. AF: KeepCups are made in Australia, so in our first market this was a cornerstone of our sustainability story. As volume grows in the United States we will commence local manufacture as we reach volume targets. KeepCups are BPA free, manufactured from polypropylene which has low embodied energy. This means that the breakeven against disposable cups is estimated at 15 uses over the three year lifecycle, including cleaning. Conversational Cooking (Con't. from p. 34) family has found together around the raclette. It will guide people through a cooking experience that will likely be completely unique to them and to their Ekobrew (Con't. from p. 1) goal in mind—offer an eco-friendly and money-saving solution for singleserve coffee users that is easy to use. The Ekobrew is a single unit and doesn't need assembly or require the filter holder to be removed (extra steps required by one of our competitor's filters). We knew we would have an impact on this market that claims an estimated 20 million owners of singleserve brewers. KNSD: Can you tell us more about your product line? RDM: Our flagship is the Ekobrew reusable filter. We offer the Classic (made in the U.S.A) and the Elite (stainless steel). Both are reusable filters made specifically for users of the Keurig® single serve brewing system. As a company, our primary focus is single-serve coffee Saturday, March 02, 2013 105 in place to help assure finished products meet NSF protocol requirements. NSF public health experts worked with retailers, manufacturers and regulatory experts to develop NSF Protocol P400: Food Contact Utensils for Home Use. This protocol covers glass, metal, natural fiber, plastic, silicone and wood materials. The protocol includes a rigorous set of testing requirements which evaluate performance (e.g. corrosion resistance, durability), material safety (e.g. does not leach harmful contaminants such as heavy metals and phthalates into food), packaging and labeling (e.g. distributor/manufacturing location, description, quantity, usage directions, warning labels, disclaimer statements, lot number/expiration date and label claims are accurate and follow regulations) and conformance to applicable U.S., Canadian and EU product regulations. NSF International tested and certified ARG Manufacturing's utensils against Protocol P400, and audited the facility in which the products are made. For earning certification, ARG's certified utensils bear the NSF "Certified for Home Use" mark. "At ARG, we pride ourselves on being a leading manufacturer of consumer products and we understand that safety and quality are paramount to earning and maintaining consumer confidence," said Joe Van Houten, President and Chief Executive Officer of ARG Manufacturing. "The NSF Certified for Home Use mark on our products is a symbol of our commitment to safety and quality and a signal to buyers that our products have been tested to a rigorous set of quality, performance and material safety requirements by the world's leading health and safety organization." The new NSF Home Product Certification Program also offers private label assurance and specification development. The NSF Private Label Assurance Program verifies that private label products meet retailers' quality standards, are comparable to national brands and comply with consumer product regulations. To that end, Joe Van Houten also stated, "ARG Manufacturing is proud to have Gordon Food Service as our first private label customer to have the new NSF Certification for Home Use applied to their new GFS kitchen tools and gadgets available at GFS stores early this year." KNSD: Lots of people say they don't like drinking out of plastic. KNSD: Starbucks has just introduced a $1 reusable cup, how will this affect your business? and B2B sector. Our customers include Amazon, Gap, Wholefoods, Google, Pixar and Urban Outfitters. AF: Plastic was chosen for its recyclability and low embodied energy in manufacture. If you use disposable cups, in most cases the paper is lined with polyethylene and the lid is polystyrene, so you are drinking out of plastic, and over time, a lot more of it. There is enough plastic in 28 disposable cups and lids to make one small KeepCup. KNSD: Why are you not at the show this year? AF: The IH+HS was great for KeepCup in 2012, and we planned to attend this year, but we are opening a new warehouse and offices in the U.K. and Los Angeles this month. We are also planning for the World Barista Championships which are in our hometown Melbourne in May this year. AF: The global publicity given to this initiative and the message it sends to Starbucks customers, staff and the wider community is really positive. Recognising changing consumer sentiment, this endorsement of reusables by Starbucks helps by having your efforts welcomed and rewarded. With over one million disposable cups discarded to landfill every second, we all need to rally to change our behaviour from discard to reduce and reuse. KNSD: What is your marketing strategy? AF: Our principle strategy is around supporting great relationships with cafes and roasters who stock and refill the KeepCup. If we have support and acceptance in cafes where the KeepCup is used we also create strong demand in the retail families. And my hope is that it will be an experience that they will treasure and that will become a part of special meal times. What I've discovered is this; cooking can be a conversation. When you're cooking together, you're not just feeding the people you love, you're bringing them together." Conversational Cooking will make its debut appearance at the International Home + Housewares Show in Chicago. It can be seen at the Inno-Labs booth S2671, and the author will be present to solutions. Our current product line is a fairly simple one. We are very focused and know our market. only maker of reusable filters that are 'Made in the U.S.A.' KNSD: Can you tell us more about Ekobrew's features? RDM: The most compelling feature is cost savings. Users of Ekobrew save on average, 70 percent over K-Cup packs. Just as important is eco-friendliness. There are no plastic and foil cups to throw away. Used K-Cup packs are nonbiodegradable (currently there are more than 5 billion K-Cups in landfills). Also, Ekobrew's flat bottom makes filling and cleaning easy. KNSD: The packaging of the plastic Ekobrew says 'Made In the U.S.A.' Is that important to you as a company? RDM: We produce as much as we can in the U.S.A. and are very proud to be the KNSD: What distinguishes Ekobrew from the competition? RDM: We are always innovating. Our new stainless steel model, the Ekobrew Elite is a beautifully designed product, the first of its kind. The response at retail is phenomenal. The Elite addresses another segment of customers who look for durability as well as great design. Retailers now have a product offering for that segment that differentiates price and quality. In addition, we are extremely committed to offering unmatched customer service, not only to the end user but also to buyers. KNSD: How would you rate your relationship with buyers? RDM: We are very proud of how well For more information on ARG Manufacturing and NSF rated kitchen tools and gadgets, visit booth S4043 at the International Home+Housewares Show and call 215-345-6295, ext. 101. KNSD: How do you distribute the KeepCup? AF: We have a direct sales team in the U.S., the U.K. and Australia as well as 25 distribution partners around the world. KNSD: Why do you think you have been so successful? AF: Our vision is about reuse not product sales. We envisage a world where people no longer use disposable cups, and question the merit of all single use items. We want KeepCup to be one of the organisations that takes us to this future. For more information, visit www.keepcup.com, call 310-957-2070 or email Abigail@keepcup.com. do cooking demonstrations and, in her words, to have some great conversations. For more information, visit www.innolabs.com, call 620-229-9800 or email sales@inno-labs.com. we have been received and how we've responded to demand. Retailers find that we are always willing and able to meet packaging and display needs. Our distinctive display programs for the retailer are a result of knowing the market, as well as listening to our customers. KNSD: How can our readers find out more about your company? RDM: Our website [www.ekobrew.com] is our primary source of information. Our Director of Sales, Gary Shaffer, brings an extensive background within the retail environment. He oversees our retail sales and is always open to working with customers to help them take advantage of the exploding single serve phenomena. For more information, visit booth S1580, check out www.ekobrew.com, call 800-833-0622 x13 or email resale@ekobrew.com.