Defiance, Iowa -­ Store brands are becoming a staple in the world marketplace. One in every four products sold in 2013 was a store brand label, accounting for $1 out of every $5 in sales and totaling a record $112 billion. Smitty Bee Honey of Defiance, Iowa is now offering private label brands. They will be launching this new division at the 2014 Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) trade show in Chicago, Ill. from Nov. 16th through Nov. 18th.

“We have a long-standing reputation for quality, ethically sourced ingredient honey,” said Smitty Bee Honey President, Tony Schmitz. “As a nationally recognized honey packer, we have been approached by several different stores about private labeling and co-packing. Significant facility and employment expansion in the last few years have positioned Smitty Bee perfectly in this expanding market.”

As consumers continue to look for high quality and value in private labels, Smitty Bee Honey is able to provide the retailer with pricing, package sizes, design and honey variety options. In addition, Smitty Bee pays close attention to consumer demand. This offers stores the ability to expand their honey and sweetener sections with unique and different items through sales promotions and working with category managers.

“We offer flexible packaging for retailers with a variety of choices, including glass,” Schmitz added. “Glass is clean, classy and trendy. We are also able to broaden sweetener categories through packaging of rare honey varietals, agave, maple syrup and molasses. Add to that our Organic, Kosher and SQF Level III certifications coupled with short lead times, and retailers can really see the value of having Smitty Bee Honey package their products for private labeling.”

Smitty Bee Honey will be in booth F1942 at the PLMA Store Brands Reality Trade Show, held at the Rosemont Convention Center. For more information, contact Smitty Bee Honey at 888.469.4669 or info@smittybeehoney.com

About Smitty Bee Honey:
For over four generations, the Schmitz family has grown their passion for beekeeping and honey into one of the nation’s leading industrial honey supply and packaging businesses. With a strong reputation in the food service and retail industries, Smitty Bee Honey continues to grow, while maintaining the small-town values, hard work and customer commitment that has been the foundation of their brand.