The J.M. Smucker Company Previews New Premium Coffee Brand
ORRVILLE, Ohio, Feb. 21, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY) conference in Boca Raton, Florida, The J.M. Smucker Company unveiled one of its most significant coffee growth initiatives to date: a new line of premium coffees that will strengthen its position in the fastest growing market segments and serve as a platform for future growth and innovation.
The new line, 1850, draws on the rich heritage of The Folger Coffee Company ? founded during the 1850's Gold Rush in California ? and features a bold but smooth taste that will appeal not only to traditional Folgers® drinkers but to a younger generation of consumers that often prefer richer coffee blends.
"1850 allows us to build on our market-leading position in the at-home coffee category by strengthening our presence in premium, one-cup, and ready to drink iced coffees, the fastest-growing product segments," said Mark Smucker, President and Chief Executive Officer of The J.M. Smucker Company. "1850 also validates our new approach to innovation ? which includes an intense focus on consumer insights, careful product development, and renewed attention to design and creative execution. This is central to our strategy of driving long-term growth while delivering an outstanding experience for consumers."
Inspired by the heritage of The Folger Coffee Company, 1850 is an evenly roasted coffee made from a special blend of 100% Arabica coffee beans fire-roasted and steel cut for a delicious bold but smooth taste.
"We started with the idea of 'bold,'" said Mark Smucker. "We wanted a bold coffee to address younger consumers' preference for stronger coffee, but we also wanted a smooth coffee that isn't bitter. We think we've hit the mark with 1850."
Scheduled to hit store shelves in early April, 1850 will be available in four blends:
- Lantern GlowTM Light Roast
- Pioneer Blend Medium Roast
- Trailblazer Medium-Dark Roast
- Black Gold Dark Roast
The name, 1850, and its craft brand imagery was inspired by the original packaging of The Folger Coffee Company. Special attention was paid to the design of the new packaging ? which includes a waxed seal on the prepack bags ? to strengthen its "stopping power" in retail aisles.
"Today's consumer, particularly millennials, gravitate to brands that have an authentic story to tell," said Joe Stanziano, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Coffee of The J. M. Smucker Company. "What could be more authentic than the story of The Folger Coffee Company which traces its roots to San Francisco during the Gold Rush? Our research shows that this heritage resonates very strongly with both our loyal consumers and millennials."
Initially available in roast and ground and whole bean prepack bags and K-Cup® pods, the portfolio will expand with a ready-to-drink offering this summer, representing a significant entry into this fast-growing coffee format.
To view The J.M. Smucker Company presentation at CAGNY, go to jmsmucker.com/investor-relations.
About The J.M. Smucker Company
For 120 years, The J.M. Smucker Company has been committed to offering consumers quality products that bring families together to share memorable meals and moments. Today, Smucker is a leading marketer and manufacturer of consumer food and beverage products and pet food and pet snacks in North America. In consumer foods and beverages, its brands include Smucker's®, Folgers®, Jif®, Dunkin' Donuts®, Crisco®, Pillsbury®, R.W. Knudsen Family®, Hungry Jack®, Café Bustelo®, Martha White®, truRoots®, Sahale Snacks®, Robin Hood®, and Bick's®. In pet food and pet snacks, its brands include Meow Mix®, Milk-Bone®, Kibbles 'n Bits®, Natural Balance®, and 9Lives®. The Company remains rooted in the Basic Beliefs of Quality, People, Ethics, Growth, and Independence established by its founder and namesake more than a century ago. For more information about the Company, visit jmsmucker.com.
The J.M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for the following, which are used under license: Pillsbury® is a trademark of The Pillsbury Company, LLC, and Dunkin' Donuts® is a registered trademark of DD IP Holder LLC.
Dunkin' Donuts® brand is licensed to The J.M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, and drug stores. This information does not pertain to Dunkin' Donuts® coffee or other products for sale in Dunkin' Donuts® restaurants.
SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Company
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