Supplier Side

Chelten House installs photovoltaic system
Chelten House Products, a privately held manufacturer of organic and premium sauces and salad dressings, announced the completion of an 877-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system installed on the roof of its 150,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility in Bridgeport, N.J. The system – developed by New York-based EnterSolar – consists of more than 3,650 individual solar panels and is able to produce more than 1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, reducing annual carbon emissions by more than 1.3 million pounds.

According to Bob Paradise, chief financial officer of Chelten House, the new system will allow the company to "demonstrate its commitment to sustainability" while significantly reducing ongoing energy costs.

"Overall, we anticipate that we'll reduce our electric footprint approximately by half, which is pretty significant," he told Progressive Grocer's Store Brands.

Over the next 25 years, the system will produce 26 million kilowatt hours, generating enough electricity to power more than 125 homes during that same period with clean and renewable energy. Chelten House believes the ability to operate on clean and renewable energy meshes well with its reputation as a manufacturer of high-quality organic products for retailers' store brand programs, Paradise said.

"It's a great situation for us," he noted. "It gives us a competitive edge in that it reduces a portion of our overhead in regards to our electric bill, which is offset by producing clean renewal energy from the sun. It affirms the fact that we are a leader in the organic industry and shows our commitment to the environment." – R. Hofbauer

Morgan Foods debuts aseptic packaging
Morgan Foods is one manufacturer that definitely is not afraid of change. The Austin, Ind.-based supplier of store brand soups, broths, beans, gravies and other products always is evaluating new product options and looking for ways to improve existing products to meet consumers' changing tastes and retailers' varying needs.

That dedication to continuous improvement can be seen in some of the company's newer offerings such reduced-sodium soups and beans. And Morgan Foods' latest innovation is aseptic packaging for its broths and stocks.

Available in a variety of sizes, the new packaging presents several advantages over traditional cans to both consumers and retailers, according to Kim Hannaford, director of marketing for Morgan Foods. For consumers, the recyclable aseptic packaging actually delivers a higher-quality product because, unlike with cans, the broth or stock is sterilized prior to filling.

"The nutrients aren't denatured from external heat stress," he explained, "so you have the freshness [consumers want]."

The packaging also has no sharp edges that could cut users and is easier to open and resealable – meaning consumers could store unused product without having to transfer it to another container. Moreover, Hannaford said, its rectangular shape allows consumers to fit more product within their pantries in comparison to standard cans.

As for its advantages for retailers, the packaging presents improved warehouse and shelf space utilization, Hannaford said, thanks to the rectangular shape.

"Once they take the product and put it on the store shelf, the retailer gets an improved profit per linear foot of shelf space because they can get more of the aseptic containers on the shelf," he added.

Retailers also get a more visible, broader packaging base that could help them enhance brand awareness. Another plus? Consumers are likely to view the packaging – and the retailer by association – as fresh and innovative, Hannaford said. – K. Canning

150, January 2012, Sunday, January 1, 2012, PLSB2469, 150, Departments