OUR OFFERINGS
SSG
A combination of Scale and Expertise makes Agrowgate’s SSG (Strategic Sourcing Group) a powerful platform. The largest in craft beverage. Our experience confirms the two must exist together to drive value. The most successful operators know their largest spending area is their input goods (packaging and raw materials). Accessing better pricing and service drops right to the bottom line. The best suppliers desire continuous improvements to enhance their competitiveness and to find business-building avenues. Agrowgate’s SSG is a platform that connects millions of dollars of curated, exclusive members of volume. Every barrel or hectoliter we add is beneficial for both our Producers and Suppliers.
Advisory
For when you need a trusted advisor or deep expertise. Over the last five years, our project work has developed out of a need for Expertise, Information, Networking, and Creativity. Some of our members have looked to Agrowgate for help with Operational Reviews (benchmarking), Procurement (setting strategic plan or assisting in the actual buy), Value Engineering (e.g. optimizing recipes for purchasing efficiencies), and a variety of other Problem-Solving Assignments as diverse as the companies we work with.
Commodity Risk Management and Financial Hedging
Commodities are the key cost drivers of a successful brewery. Malted barley, aluminum cans, and glass (natural gas) are all essential products and tradeable commodities. Additionally, every pick-up, delivery, and package or raw material shipment has a fuel (diesel) component. Through our Risk Management and/or financial hedging program, we can define and mitigate the price risk to these input costs without affecting your relationship with your supplier. It’s all about P&L stability and risk management.
Through analysis of macro spending, we can quantify the true financial risk to your cost of goods. Armed with portfolio risk, we design and implement a custom dynamic risk management and/or hedging strategy in coordination with our clients. By tailoring the risk management to your specific risk tolerance and product sophistication, we strive to provide in-year and long- term cost stability.
From inception, our goal is to identify, hedge and continuously manage commodity risk to stabilize your spend and enable a proactive forward view of costs inherent in beverages. Agrowgate is ready to help identify and manage your volatile commodity exposures.
Transportation
Transport is an embedded cost for inbound materials and outbound finished goods. It is a particularly dynamic category with constant change and a multitude of variables. Often it can be de-prioritized, overlooked or not refreshed often enough resulting in lost opportunity to enhance cost efficiency and improve service levels. We typically see transport costs highly inflated due to rush situations, customer demands, unanticipated supply chain disruptions or just too much else going on in the business to really focus on it. Let us help.
Agrowgate is well equipped through our experience and highly experienced team members and advisors to find value by combining a data driven approach with deep knowledge of transportation. This includes all modes such as Full Truckload, Ocean, LTL, Intermodal, or Parcel. We can also help with the cost, efficiency, and optimization of your self-owned fleet if you have one, or if you are considering one!
Starting with a deep dive into your business, individual lanes, or perhaps full network review, we will find price and operational levers to benefit your business. Exploring deeper into your business, we can examine non-price levers, such as reducing miles, enhancing utilization and explore alternative modes to further drive service levels, efficiency, and cost. The market won’t give it to you, you need to actively get it. Agrowgate can help!
Co-Packing Support
Co-packing, also known as contract packaging, is a service provided by companies that specialize in filling, packaging, and labeling products on behalf of other companies. This allows businesses to outsource the production process and focus on other aspects of their business, such as sales, marketing, and distribution.
When it comes to co-packing, there are several factors that companies should consider when choosing a provider. These may include:
Analysis: A good co-packer should be able to analyze your product and packaging needs and offer solutions that meet your specific requirements. This may involve evaluating the size, shape, and formulation type, as well as the type of packaging materials needed to protect and showcase it.
Relationships: Agrowgate has formed decade long strong relationships our members can leverage off of. Further, a co-packer with strong relationships in the industry may be able to offer better pricing and faster turnaround times. They may also have access to specialized packaging equipment or materials that can enhance your product's appeal and functionality.
Terms and conditions: When working with a co-packer, it's important to have clear terms and conditions in place that outline your expectations, as well as the co-packer's responsibilities and liabilities. This may include factors such as pricing, delivery timelines, quality control measures, and intellectual property rights. Agrowgate can ensure a competitive advantage in this area.
When choosing a co-packer, it's important to find a provider that can offer the right balance of expertise, flexibility, and value for your business needs. Here at Agrowgate, we are excited to help you with your co-packing support!
Consumer-Centric Growth Strategies
Portfolio, Marketing & Innovation lead by Michael Ward
Where and how to grow in a dynamic consumer and competitive environment is critical. It starts by identifying relevant consumer-centric opportunities and prioritizing which ones are the most compelling for your business. We apply a proprietary WARP approach to develop a winning growth strategy that leverages portfolio, trademark and innovation opportunities. It importantly considers existing assets, organizational capabilities and pressure tests wholesaler, retailer, and competitive responses.
We can deliver brand strategies, marketing plans and close in and expansive innovation ideas. As needed, we can help guide the process of turning a great consumer idea into a great business idea with a proven stage-gate approach, partners and metrics. Our extensive network of creative and supply partners can deliver strategic, winning ideas with pace. Agrowgate can help grow your top and bottom line.