On Wednesday evening, January 22, Aartsen and Marlene® organised a 'Best Client Event' in De Kas in Woerden, where the plans and developments for the future of apples from South Tyrol were brought to the attention. A select group of customers from the wholesale trade, specialist shops and itinerant traders were invited.
Commercial manager Aart Bezemer warmly welcomed the guests and expressed his gratitude to the VOG Consortium, which is responsible for the sales and marketing of the Marlene® apples, of which Aartsen has been the exclusive distributor on the Dutch market for more than 10 years. "We are proud of this collaboration, especially because the vision and marketing seamlessly connects with ours. This is reflected in the quality of the apples, the marketing, but also in events such as this."
Hannes Tauber and Aart Bezemer
Marketing manager Hannes Tauber then commented on the Marlene® apples, the top selection of Italian apples, which, thanks to the unique climatic conditions in South Tyrol, are allowed to bear the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) seal. Granny, Golden, Fuji, Braeburn, Royal Gala and Redchief are marketed under Marlene®, and VOG also grows the Yelo, Kanzi and Pink Lady club varieties, each of which is marketed in their own packaging.
Tauber gave an insight into the cultivation of the Marlene® apples, which are grown by around 4,600 growers, mostly family businesses. This was confirmed because all those present at VOG; Hannes Tauber & Magdalena Zöggeler (Marketing VOG) and Karl Pichler & Klaus Holzl (Sales VOG), who themselves come from and in some cases are still in possession of an apple growing company where the Marlene® apples come from.
Explanation of the promotion weeks
Together, these 4,000 growers produce around 600,000 tonnes of apples annually, worth export to 67 countries. The volume of organic apples is currently around 25,000 tonnes and is expected to expand considerably in the coming years.
The visitors of Karel van der Vorm from Rotterdam, Wim Smit from Leiderdorp and Polak from Leiden
According to the marketing manager, the Netherlands is an important market for the Marlene®, because it is a market that demands a high-quality apple.
Hannes Tauber (VOG) and Bart Gouw (Aartsen) with Elbert, Sedar, Adem, Irfan, Turan and Hasun customers
This year, the wholesalers and retailers will again be supported with POS materials and win promotions in which, among other things, trips to South Tyrol can be won. The promotion among the wholesalers will start in March followed by promotional campaigns at the retailers.
Right: Karl Pichler (VOG) and left Jarno Kwakkel of Postuma who had taken several customers with him
With dishes in which the apples from South Tyrol were processed, including wine from this region, the customers present were very enthusiastic on Wednesday evening and looking forward to communicating this to their customers.
Landwaart and Van Ravenswaaij were also among the guests
Of course each dish contained a Marlene apple
Anneliese and Emiel Kampschoer (Van Ravenswaaij) with Wendy Onwezen and Carletta Jacobs from the organizing agency
Elbert Duifhuizen from Welfruit Rotterdam at the table with Sedar, Adem, Irfan, Turan and Hasun
Esther Tuerlings from Aartsen and Hannes Tauber from VOG