Dancing with Private Label

Store brands have come a long way since the private label concept first infiltrated the U.S. market. 

Retailers can safely retire memories of their store brands functioning as nothing more than a low cost national brand alternative. The store brands of 2015 offered original and in-demand products, and while strolling the 2015 Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) Show, “Store Brands and Beyond,” it was evident that 2016 will only bring more of the best.

“2015 was another record-breaking year for PLMA’s Private Label Trade Show—not just in terms of retailer and wholesaler attendance, but also in regard to total size of the show, as well as the number of booths and store brands suppliers participating,” said Dane Twining, director, public relations for New York-based PLMA. 

Twining added that retailer and wholesaler registrations were up 2.5 percent, and total registrations up 4.2 percent, making overall participation in the November show, held at the Rosemont Convention Center, more than 10,500 people. As the numbers show, there was more to see than ever—below is a sampling of what some exhibitors shared on the showroom floor. 

Bektrom Foods

Innovative flavors were a popular find amongst exhibitors, like those in Bektrom Foods’ new exotic flavored sea salts. “The new flavored salts are our latest expansion of spices for all those home cooks who are looking for an easy way to spice up their meals,” said Tom Barbella, president. 

The product is merchandised in a glass bottle with a grinder cap that allows consumers to easily grind the product into a fine salt. They are offered as private label as well as by the Monroe, Mich.-based company’s house brand. 

Berner Foods

Berner Foods introduced many new products at the PLMA Show. Most notable were its clean label dips that contain no preservatives, artificial colors, flavors or MSG and are gluten-free. They were introduced in seven flavors. “These dips address the clean label initiative that continues to gain momentum throughout the food and beverage industries and provides consumers with healthier snacking options,” said Theresa Rauch, director of marketing for Berner Foods, based in Dakota, Ill. 

Berner officials also showed the flavor extensions in its regular dip line that included Buffalo Ranch, Jalapeno Bean and Jalapeno Stadium Style Cheddar. Also new was cold brew coffee in mocha and vanilla flavors. 

B.O.V. Solutions

After three years of studying it, in October B.O.V. Solutions unveiled a new way to get an iced coffee fix. B.O.V. stands for bag on valve, and the company used that technology to introduce an innovative ready to drink product.

It is a form of pure coffee concentrate that is merchandised in a bag on a valve within a can—keeping the actual product away from the propellant, which, according to one official for the Hernando, Fla.-based company, gives it an unlimited shelf life. To drink, consumers squirt the concentrate into water and mix. B.O.V. even won the PLMA Innovation Award for this unique way of selling iced coffee. Officials added that each can holds 24 servings and they suggested it be sold at $7.99. 

​Furlani

Furlani showed its new products in the category: garlic knots, stuffed breadsticks and biscuits, all available for private label production. 

“We are great partners for many reasons, such as our production capabilities, our amazing research and development team that can cater to our clients recipe requests, and of course our quality baked goods,” said Marisa Dominutti community and marketing associate for the Mississauga, Ont., Canada-based company.

Nuestro Queso

Nuestro Queso, producer of authentic Hispanic dairy products, demonstrated to attendees why it is at the top of its category. Company officials sampled Nuestro Queso’s frying cheese and quesadillas made with Oaxaca strips, to the delight of passersby said Arturo Nava, marketing director, for the Rosemont, Ill.-based company. 

Nuestro Queso makes a line of Central American products and a separate Caribbean line. Its newest product, which launched in early December in Whole Foods and other retailers in January, is Oaxaca strips. Oaxaca, Nava said, is the most popular cheese in Mexico because it is easy to melt. He added that the company’s products are 100 percent natural, clean label and RBST-free dairy.

Request Foods

Request Foods, a co-packer of frozen prepared entrées, side dishes and specialty items, shared with show goers why it is a good partner for retailers. “Teamwork, dedication, integrity and respect. These qualities, together with the common goal of excellence shared by all Request associates, are why we are able to make your brand better,” said Jeff Gehres, senior director of sales and product development for the company. 

Gehres added that Request Foods’ products are produced, processed, prepared and handled according to the highest safety standards, at the Holland, Mich.-based company’s two co-packing facilities. 

SatisPie

SatisPie banks on the fact that pie is a beloved staple during celebrations of all seasons. That aside, the company knows that ingredients are top of mind for consumers, and according to Michael Pinkowski, president of the Rochester, N.Y.-based company, there are dozens of ingredients consumers do not want to see in their products. 

SatisPie’s products, which contain a short ingredient list, were sampled at the show. They are available in seven flavors: Pumpkin, Blueberry, Peach, Cherry, Apple, Apple Crumb and Pecan, which is new for 2015. Also new is the eight-inch pie line, which launched in October. Pinkowski added that the product should be shelf stable for five days post baking at home.

Seneca Foods

Designed for center store, Seneca Foods, based in Marion, N.Y., built on its successful 2013 launch of prepped produce at this year’s PLMA Show. Its line of four-ounce shelf stable vegetables in microwaveable plastic cups is now available in a seven-ounce size. The product comes in a clear, BPA non-intent container, filled with assorted vegetables lightly seasoned with sea salt.