Thursday, February 9, 2017

Maple Sugaring of Vermont


Vermont is well known for its multiple maple sugar operations and production.  Vermont has developed a reputation for the sweetness they provide in the form of maple products worldwide.   They can range anywhere from a small, couple hundred tap operation to nearly a million tap operation.  The size can vary from a small one-acre plot to a mountaintop with miles of tough wooded terrain or from buckets to pipelines run by vacuum. Vermont doesn’t just treat sugaring as a means of making money or creating popularity for their state, it keeps a tradition going from generation to generation that is more than just a business or a hobby. It’s a way to create a bond between friends and family while at the same time spreading a little sweetness.



 If one has ever had real maple syrup they would easily acknowledge the desire for real over the fake. It is due to these hardworking operations that many have fallen in love with the sweet taste of real Vermont maple syrup not only in Vermont and throughout the United States but also worldwide.  I’d like to focus on the marketing abilities of one particular sugaring operation close to my own home, Georgia Mountain Maples (GMM).

Although it may not be the largest operation in Vermont, Georgia Mountain Maples has made a vast impact in the industry. They own miles upon miles of land, and generate work for many of their employees’ year around. Whether it’s running pipelines, working on the boilers, or prepping year round for the upcoming season, the workers are always kept busy. They are really keeping the tradition going while at the same time expanding their operation to new heights each year.

They have a Website
What I believe is so important about the way Georgia Mountain Maples is running their operation has to do a lot with the way they market their product. They have created a website which allows the consumers to not only know about their product but also know where it comes from. By creating and using a website they have given the customers the choice to not only buy their products in a store but also order directly from them through their website.
They Care About the Environment
It isn’t just the website however that has really set this sugaring operation apart from others, it’s what the website and the company stands for. In marketing the goal is to find a product that appeals to the consumers. You aim to not only supple a top of the line product but also show the benefits of the product to the consumer. One thing that Georgia Mountain Maples does is allows the consumers to know that they take as much pride in the production of their product as they do in their product itself. Obviously, in order to have maple syrup you need the byproduct of the sap from maple trees. In their description on their website, GMM really stresses how they take care of their trees and care about how nature is affected. Mainly what GMM is known for is their alternate form of energy, the wind turbines which you can see from miles away on top of Georgia Mountain.



They Want You to Get to Know Them
            One thing that is evident on almost every page of the entire website is how Georgia Mountain Maples really wants you to get to know who they are and how they operate. They specifically lay out their history and their care for the environment. They have a specific page that lays out the exact specs of their entire operation where they tell you the amount of land, taps, piping, rigs, etc. that they use in their operation. Not only do they tell you their specs but they lay out the exact process that they use from extracting sap from the trees to delivering the product to your table.


They Have a Well Laid-out Product Line
Georgia Mountain Maples has really structured their website so all the consumers recognize exactly what they’re getting and how easy it is to get it. They offer a specifically laid out product line where you can order a variety of different sized and shaped syrup containers, including a variety of prices.




They Offer Birch Syrup
Now I don’t know about you, but I personally have never heard of anyone offering birch syrup? I think this will definitely be a good selling point which will set them apart from other competitors. This is not only a unique product but it gets attention drawn to their maple syrup product line and it creates interest in the eyes of the consumer.


They Host Events
They offer field trips and special trips for seniors to observe their operation and also for children and adults to learn more about them and their product. I find this a good marketing strategy because often times viewing where the product is made gives the consumer a sense of relief knowing their product is being produced in proper and sanitary ways.
           Georgia Mountain Maples offers to host weddings and special events where you could rent out their sugarhouse and buy their products for your event.  Many of the events that they offer include them offering attractive discounts on their products. By doing so this creates a desire to not only buy their product but rent their facilities as well. They host several maple breakfasts in their sugarhouse where they offer free samples of their syrup along with supplying their product for the breakfast.

           
They Make Promises
In my opinion, the most appealing thing that Georgia Mountain Maples offers in regard to their marketing strategy is the promise they make in return for your business.  To keep that commitment to sustainability going for future generations, we will plant a tree for every online purchase made from Georgia Mountain Maples.”



Georgia Mountain Maples has done a more than sufficient job establishing a solid way of marketing for their business. I could continue breaking down their entire website. They have in my opinion hit every aspect of introducing their product, establishing interest in their company and product, and providing comfort and a solid understanding to their customers. I feel after going through their entire website I could almost go out and start my own operation in the sugaring business. They offer a variety of events to market their product while creating attention to themselves. Their website is flooded with pictures of their entire product line and operating system. Most importantly, I think they have created trust with their customers that they aim to produce a quality product while helping the environment. They’ve shown that they put the time, effort, and love in creating one of the best products on the market.

For more information on Georgia Mountain Maples go check out their website: 
            

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