2017 Business Excellence Awards

Acquisition International - Business Excellence Awards 2017 39 Best Outdoor Living Consumer Goods Manufacturer - North America Dobi & Associates Dobi is a consumer goods contract manufacturer and distributor selling to major retailers in the grocery, hardware, off-price, on-line, wholesale club, and mass market channels. The firm’s TrueFire Gourmet and Coastal Cuisine brands of cedar grilling planks are used for grilling salmon at home. CedarCraft, Dobi’s fastest growing brand, is a pioneer of sustainably-crafted, modern elevated garden planters for small spaces made from rescued pieces of milled cedar wood. CedarCraft elevated garden planters are made in North America designed for limited space gardening and ideal for growing fresh herbs, vegetables and flowers. All planters are built for easy assembly with no tools. Glen discusses the firm’s products and their distribution in more detail. “At Dobi, our sweet spot is developing high volume, custom programs for multi-national retailers. In the last year, we have launched fifteen new garden products that enable us to successfully on-board inline gardening programs at the major Mass Market retailers. We were pleased to be approved as one of the select private label suppliers located in USA/Canada to produce items for the premium line Smith & Hawken brand for Target Stores.” Operating in such a competitive industry, differentiation is key, and Glen believes that his firm’s collaborative approach is essential to its success. “What sets our firm apart is our commitment to work at Dobi & Associates creates custom consumer goods programs for major retailers in North America and England. We spoke to Glen Dobi, President of firm to find out more. Company: Dobi & Associates, Inc. Contact: Glen Dobi Contact Email: [email protected] Address: Dobi & Associates, Inc., 2835 Camino Del Rio South, Suite 200, San Diego, California, 92108, USA Phone: 001 619 299 0490 Website: www.cedarcraft.com BE170041 the highest company standards. Likewise, we end up working with companies that have the same synergies to ensure the best quality products and services imaginable.” “For example, while creating the cedar product line, we honed a long-lasting relationship with a leading lumber mill in beautiful British Columbia. It is a very close, collaborative relationship where we talk weekly and meet often. We knew the founder of the mill had a passion to minimize waste; always finding ways to use what was left over in the mill process. Generally, there are leftover remnant piece of wood that would normally be scrapped. Together, we figured out a way to rescue these pieces of wood and turn them into a high quality, solid panel of wood that is crafted into beautiful elevated planters for backyards or patios. By having great working rapport with the mill, we are on the same page and develop better products that are the right fit for our accounts.” “Overall, our dedication to always operating under the values of honesty and integrity has helped us establish like-minded, true partners that continue to help nurture our ongoing growth. It is difficult starting a company because many unexpected things happen, but we over-prepare, think through the risks are and how we could counter them. Our partners appreciate our preparation.” Looking ahead, Dobi intends to build upon its current success by expanding into new international markets, as Glen concludes. “Next year we will launch a new product line targeted to DIY retail channel in USA, Canada and Europe, and are excited for the opportunities this growth strategy will bring.” “By having greatworking rapport with the mill, we are on the same page and develop better products that are the right fit for our accounts .”