Issue link: http://osercommunicationsgroup.uberflip.com/i/261553
R e s t a u r a n t D a i l y N e w s 1 1 7 Tu e s d a y, M a y 2 1 , 2 0 1 3 EA: Bamboo Studio has two distinct lines of all-natural dinnerware made from bamboo. Our disposable line is made from the sheath of the bamboo plant. Our new reusable Bambooware line is made from a composite of bam- boo fiber (95 percent) and an all-natural binding agent that is then injection molded, producing an all-natural melamine alternative that is both biodegradable and dishwasher safe. Both product lines provide a sustainable alternative for any event. RDN: What would you say makes your company unique? EA: Our disposable line consists of more than eight dozen items allowing the user to find a perfect fit for any scenario. Our Bambooware collection offers a real alternative to melamine, raising the sus- tainability bar and solving the age old problem of performance versus sustain- ability. What's more, we have the ability to customize the shape, size and even coloring of our products, allowing us to offer a perfect fit for even the most unique customer needs. RDN: Describe your company's current marketing strategy. EA: Bamboo Studio exhibits in 10 to 12 trade shows each year as the focal point of our marketing strategy. We also have targeted sponsorships at events such as the South Beach Food & Wine Festival that allow our products to be seen in the hands of the best chefs in the world. Meanwhile, our Bambooware collection is our fastest growing product. Look for this line in major hotel chains and grocers in the coming months. RDN: Where is your current product emphasis? EA: With Bambooware, we're aiming to offer a greener, more sustainable alterna- tive to plastic-based dishwares, such as melamine, without sacrificing quality or style. Bambooware is a great eco-friend- ly fit for outdoor areas such as pools, golf courses, etc. We've already become the product of choice for a variety of univer- sities, aquariums, and convention cen- ters―locations that don't want to sacri- fice durability for sustainability. RDN: What distinguishes your prod- uct(s) from the competition? EA: There are a few competitors for our disposable line. The major distinction between our competitors is that we offer bowls of different sizes that will not leak. The reusable line of Bambooware is a unique product that to date is only offered by us. There are a couple of prod- ucts made from bamboo fiber but they have a coating on them which ours does not. The matte finish on ours extends the life of the product and makes it the most durable in the category. RDN: Who are your target end-users? EA: Restaurants, hotels, catering compa- nies, convention centers, aquariums, zoos, stadiums, wine festivals and any other venue looking to host or serve a stylish yet eco-friendly event. RDN: How can our readers find out more about your company? EA: Call me at 702-428-1661 or email me at erikallen@ecobambooware.com. For more information contact the compa- ny at 702-428-1661, ecobambooware.com, erikallen@ecobambooware.com or just stop by booth 368 at the 2013 NRA Show. Bamboo Studios (Cont'd. from p. 1) providing health insurance to employees. Restaurants and small businesses are being especially hard-hit, as increased premiums are forcing some employers to opt out of providing health insurance. If health care reform is repealed, deemed unconstitutional, or restricted, the rate of underinsured and uninsured Americans will continue to rise. What's next? The WellCard Health Medical Discount Program is poised to fill the gap left by unaffordable insurance plans by con- tracting with providers and pharmacies to provide deeply discounted health products and services. WellCard Health, now used by more than 10 million peo- ple across the United States, is the flag- ship of the discount health industry, pro- viding innovative health care solutions to everyone. WellCard Health is current- ly accepted by more than 410,000 health care providers and 59,000 retail pharma- cies throughout the United States, including major chain, community, and mail order pharmacies. WellCard Health does not pay providers for the services they deliver; rather, members pay providers pre-nego- tiated, discounted rates when they receive services from a participating pharmacy or health care provider. Can my company afford it? WellCard Health is available at no cost to businesses and their employees, whether insured, underinsured or unin- sured. WellCard Health provides the cards and informational materials for employees; with no enrollment form or paperwork to fill out, employees can start receiving discounts immediately. The program provides discounts at the time of service, and there is no member- ship cost, expiration date, usage limits or reimbursement forms. The average savings incurred by a WellCard Health (Cont'd. from p. 1) family of three through the use of WellCard Health is more than $1,000 per year. In 2012, individuals who used WellCard Health saved up to 50 percent on the cost of their combined health services. These estimates include physician visits, vision and hearing care providers, prescription medica- tions, lab work, imaging services and dental care. WellCard Health provides additional valuable services for members, such as 24-hour telephone access to physicians, assistance with understanding medical bills, discounts on specialty products and services for chronic diseases. Healthier employees With WellCard Health, employees can receive preventive care, medications and health care supplies. Workers who have access to affordable health care before a need becomes urgent or emer- gent provide their employer with a more reliable, healthy work force. This is particularly important in the food service industry, where healthy employ- ees spread fewer communicable illness- es and are more appealing to customers than sick employees. Bottom line A company that provides WellCard Health will be more attractive to potential employees. Employees will have access to previously unaffordable health care, leading to less illness, greater productivi- ty, fewer missed workdays, and a more profitable small business. In addition, employers can use the program as a tool to attract new employ- ees. With more applicants, a business is able to choose the best prospect, resulting in higher quality work performance. For more information or to sign-up for the WellCard Health program call 866- 529-6521, email sales@wellcard- health.com, visit www.wellcard- health.com or stop by booth 7360. RDN; What was the motivation for Candle Lamp to acquire Sterno in October 2012? DH: Candle Lamp had grown steadily, even in this tough market, built a strong business, and developed an excellent rep- utation and relationships with our cus- tomer base. But there was something we did not have, and that was a brand name that is a household name and more than 100 years old, in our product space. There aren't many of those left around today. Marrying the Candle Lamp reputa- tion with the Sterno brand was an attrac- tive combination. RDN: We seem too often to hear about mergers that don't go all that well. How is SternoCandleLamp's merger going? DH: It is on track and has been, and I could not be more pleased. We complet- ed the merging of two completely dif- ferent computer systems four months after the close, with no major issues; consolidated the corporate office and relocated it two months after close; the product line is consolidated and re- designed; and factory consolidations are about 80 percent done. Fortunately, we have a management team that has experience taking on com- plex management opportunities. I per- sonally have merged two even larger Sterno Candle Lamp (Cont'd. from p.1) companies with numerous factories, and my vice presidents have various similar skill sets. But with this merger, the new compa- ny culture took root immediately, which is critical. Within a few weeks, a third party would not have known the company was previously two competitors. RDN: When will all the merger be completed? DH: New SternoCandleLamp Product lines ship July 1. After that we will basically have completed the merger. RDN: Anything else that you would like to add? DH: Well, I would just say this. We judge our company's performance by how our cus- tomers fill out our "report card" as we refer to it. As CEO, I am not interested in how we think we are doing. Rather, the only rating that counts is how our customers see us. Some may ask, "But how do you know?" We achieve this by working close- ly with customers. When you do that they will tell you—and it's up to you to listen, rather than rationalize. You don't need a survey when you are actively in the field. We work daily to be "the partner of choice," as my vice president of sales said. For more information visit www.ster- nocandlelamp.com, call 877-526-7748— or just stop by booth 7219 at NRA Show. Spreads are available in Plain, Strawberry and Chive & Onion, this dairy-free, cream cheese style spread is smooth and creamy, and ready to be enjoyed with your favorite breakfast bagel, in hors d'oeuvres and in other deli- cious recipes. All Daiya products are free of the top 8 food allergens including dairy (casein, whey and lactose), soy – which is common to many other dairy -free cheese alternatives―gluten, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts (excluding coconut). Daiya products are vegan, and have 0mg of cholesterol per serving, no trans fats or preservatives. Retailing for between $4.99 and $5.99, these new Daiya products are pro- jected to be available in more than 6,000 grocery stores in the U.S. and Canada, including Whole Foods, Kroger's, Safeway, Publix and most natural food Daiya (Cont'd. from p.4) stores. Daiya products are featured on restaurant menus across North America and in packaged food products made by Amy's Kitchen and Turtle Island Foods. About Daiya Foods Inc. Daiya was incorporated in 2008 and launched in 2009, at Natural Products Expo West, with a foodservice product. The company's first retail product, Daiya Shreds, was launched in 2010. Daiya Foods Inc. is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is the maker of Daiya deliciously dairy-free cheese alternatives. Daiya products are entirely plant-based and are free of the top eight allergens, including dairy (casein, whey and lac- tose), soy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts (except coconut). For more information and recipes, visit us at www.daiyafoods.com, www .facebook.com/daiyafoods and www.twitter.com/daiyafoods.