Obsessed with Dairy
AE Dairy is by its own admission, ‘obsessed with dairy’. In fact the company’s tag line is “Ridiculously High Standards.” This passion is spread across everything the dairy does including packaging and in Q3 2012 Elopak joined forces with Anderson Erickson providing Pure-Pak® cartons for all its carton-packaged products.
Anderson Erickson talks about one year with Elopak
Anderson Erickson Dairy (AE Dairy) was founded in Iowa by Iver Erickson and William Anderson in 1930 (during the wake of the Great Depression). Today AE Dairy is run by Iver’s grandchildren Warren Erickson and Miriam Erickson Brown, who is the company’s President and CEO.
AE Dairy is by its own admission, ‘obsessed with dairy’. In fact the company’s tag line is “Ridiculously High Standards.” This passion is spread across everything the dairy does including packaging and in Q3 2012 Elopak joined forces with Anderson Erickson providing Pure-Pak® cartons for all its carton-packaged products.*
AE Dairy’s Marketing Director Kim Peter told Elotalk; “The transition to Elopak went very well,” she says. “Elopak is very responsive and their communication is strong. They are constantly double-checking with us – and that is how you build trust.”
Obsessed with Innovation (and chocolate)
2013 has seen a number of product innovations, including three totally new chocolate milks.
2013 has seen a number of product innovations, including three totally new chocolate milks.
Chocolate Fat Free Milk sweetened with Stevia was launched in August in Half Gallon Pure-Pak® cartons. This is AE’s first product with Stevia, a zero calorie, all-natural sweetener and took over two years to develop. This variety of chocolate milk was launched in response to consumer trends and customer feedback.
“We are always watching trends and listening to our consumers by various means,” explains Kim. “One of these ways is via direct emails where customers can make product suggestions. Since its launch we’ve had requests to make more of our products with Stevia.”
Also on the new 2013 chocolate menu from Anderson Erickson is a Chocolate Milk Nog in Quart Pure-Pak® cartons (946ml). This festive tipple with a chocolate twist is half Classic Egg Nog and half chocolate milk.
Inspired by the famous and exclusive Frango Mint Chocolates from Macy’s is AE’s third new chocolate milk – After Dinner Mint, also available in Quart Pure-Pak® cartons.
All the dairy’s chocolate milks are made using the Erickson family recipe that calls for three gourmet cocoas and less sugar. “For some consumers flavoured milk is what gets them to drink milk,” adds Kim. There’s been some concern over childhood obesity and a possible link with chocolate milk. We always share recent research that shows children who drink chocolate milk have better quality diets, and do not consumer more sugar, fat and calories, and do not have a higher body mass index.”
Obsessed with nutrition
AE is very much a regional dairy with its heart in the Iowa community. A big part of its community involvement is its school milk. “School milk is an important part of our business and of our children’s nutrition. Milk is the number one source of protein for 2-13 year olds and provides a total of nine essential nutrients,” says Kim.
AE is very much a regional dairy with its heart in the Iowa community. A big part of its community involvement is its school milk. “School milk is an important part of our business and of our children’s nutrition. Milk is the number one source of protein for 2-13 year olds and provides a total of nine essential nutrients,” says Kim.
Over 70% of the dairy’s total units produced are school milk and juice products packaged in 8oz Pure-Pak® cartons and AE also provides spoonable yoghurt to the region’s schools.
Consumers obsessed with Anderson Erikson
All products are made at its corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa and distributed across a five-state area including Kansas City.
All products are made at its corporate headquarters in Des Moines, Iowa and distributed across a five-state area including Kansas City.
“We get emails every day from customers who have moved away and miss their AE Chocolate Milk, Cottage Cheese, Dips and Egg Nog. “They just can’t find products with the same taste they have come to enjoy.”
Not obsessed with size
Anderson Erickson does not want to be the biggest dairy. It takes its regional dairy status very seriously. “We just want our customers to be delighted,” adds Kim Peter.
Anderson Erickson does not want to be the biggest dairy. It takes its regional dairy status very seriously. “We just want our customers to be delighted,” adds Kim Peter.
*Elopak provides cartons for 29 Anderson Erickson products in multiple sizes including milk, flavoured milk, orange juice, lemonade, Egg Nog, buttermilks and creams.
“Anderson Erickson has a strong connection with its region and takes excellent care of its consumers and their future generations with high quality, nutritious products. It is a company that is quite rightly very proud of the quality of its products,” concludes Jose Ortiz, Elopak’s Senior Commercial Manager.
Source: Elopak
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