Lessons from 2011; looking to 2012

[Woodys Brands]

The Woodys dream is today, at the end of 2011, what it was when the brand was created in 2008 and when Oscar, Anton and I started the company in 2010.

Build a global food super-brand that stand for superior quality and low prices.  Beginning with pork and bacon in particular.

We have never before investigated so many specific's in terms of the dream in one year and never before has so many things come together!

1.  Production - out sourced, own factory or a combination of the two.

2.  Raw material supply - imports or local; contracts or spot buying; or a combination of the four.

3.  Nailing down what Woodys bacon should be from a production and a brine perspective.

4.  Initial work on a brand strategy.

5.  Creating the corporate environment that will make it all possible.

6.  Starting to build "quality" into every aspect of our processes and procedures.

7.  a clear vision of ultimately integrating and dominating the total supply chain.

Woodys belongs to all of us.  Every consumer, consultant, supplier, shareholder and employee.  We are all part of a family.  

A few special words of thanks: 

-  Anton, for his wisdom and aggressive business strategies.  For thinking on a massive level! 

-  Oscar, for this visionary leadership, willingness to challenge every norm and dedication to quality and total market domination;   

-  The Profert team under the leadership of Steven and Leon for your valuable and enthusiastic engagement of the Woodys project;

-  Will, for your energy amid very challenging trading and supply conditions and your commitment to personal developing every person in the team; 

-  Chris, for joining us and making Woodys "you own" - providing invaluable and passionate input into our processes and the Woodys operation generally; 

-  David Meads and Dawie Kriel and his team for super contribution to the new factory design;

 

 

-  A host of local and international friends, suppliers and consultants.  Andreas for our new brine;  Kristian for taking ownership of the Woodys flavour;  the guys from Multivac, Philipp from Metalquimia, Kevin Picton from Marel, Colin and Jeppe, Kevin Martin from the USA, Bryan Traylor, Sophia Krone from R’evolution Coaching and Consulting, Carina Lochner from Somerset West.

-  Every consumer and client.

-  Last, and definitely the most important - our own family and friends.  I dont know everybody personally.  I mention only Oscar and my family, but please convey 

our greetings to every friend and family member.  Trudie and Oscar's kids for every night when he was home very late or not home at all; 

My own kids, Tristan and Lauren, for allowing me to be away from home every second week and the month I was away overseas;

I have given a bit more detail about the lessons we learned this year in a blog post I did:  http://wp.me/P154G1-hJ

Lets make 2012 not just great, but AWESOME!  One step closer to a big, but very achievable dream!

Eben van Tonder