Pre-Impressions
I am very excited to visit the chocolate factory and buy some freshly made Belgian chocolates! We will be learning about the process of how chocolate is made. I expect that we will be able to watch people making chocolate and see step by step the process that they go through. We will also be learning about how the Defroidmont Chocolate Factory was started and what allows it to remain successful to this day.
Post-Impressions
The Defroidmont Chocolate Company was started in 1984 by Philippe Defroidmont. It is located in the beautiful countryside of Erezee, Belgium. Its chocolates are sold in the store located right next to the workshop in Erezee. They are also sold in other stores around Belgium, and we even saw their chocolates in the gift shop at the Battle of Bastogne Museum. We learned the process of making a few different types of chocolates that they sell. For example, we watched a video that showed how they make hollow chocolate bunnies and then how creme filled chocolates are made. This was my favorite part of the tour (along with getting to try the chocolate) because I always enjoy seeing how things are made. I was surprised to find out how well known this chocolate company is and that people in other European countries such as France and the Netherlands, and even in the United States, have heard of this chocolate company.
The company's unique selling proposition seems to be that it is a "cottage" chocolate factory. It is a small family-run chocolate factory that makes all of its products in the small workshop in Erezee. They chocolates are handmade with love, and this appeals to many customers, since many people like to shop at small, local businesses. The Defroidmont Chocolate Company is definitely involved in global trade. The company imports its cocoa beans from Papua New Guinea and its chocolates are then exported to other countries, such as France, Luxembourg and the United States. The company does not just sell its chocolates in Belgium or source its ingredients from Belgium; instead, it is involved in global trade by both importing and exporting. Defroidmont is using the market penetration strategy of the import-export business. This "is a relatively low-risk operation given the fact that capital is not tied up and it is relatively easy to enter or exit out of this business" (Gaspar Chapter 8). As part of its channels of distribution, Defroidmont uses distributors, such as upscale retail stores, to sell some of its products, in addition to selling the chocolates directly in its own store. In order to promote, or advertise, its chocolates, Defroidmont mainly relies on its website or word-of-mouth. Customers are able to purchase chocolate directly from its website and have it shipped to them in other countries, such as the United States. Currently, Defroidmont has not developed new products for its international markets, since it is a smaller company, and its products seem to be enjoyed by people in other countries, so there is not a need for adaptation to local cultures.
http://www.chocolatier-defroidmont.be/index.php/en/museum
I am very excited to visit the chocolate factory and buy some freshly made Belgian chocolates! We will be learning about the process of how chocolate is made. I expect that we will be able to watch people making chocolate and see step by step the process that they go through. We will also be learning about how the Defroidmont Chocolate Factory was started and what allows it to remain successful to this day.
Post-Impressions
The Defroidmont Chocolate Company was started in 1984 by Philippe Defroidmont. It is located in the beautiful countryside of Erezee, Belgium. Its chocolates are sold in the store located right next to the workshop in Erezee. They are also sold in other stores around Belgium, and we even saw their chocolates in the gift shop at the Battle of Bastogne Museum. We learned the process of making a few different types of chocolates that they sell. For example, we watched a video that showed how they make hollow chocolate bunnies and then how creme filled chocolates are made. This was my favorite part of the tour (along with getting to try the chocolate) because I always enjoy seeing how things are made. I was surprised to find out how well known this chocolate company is and that people in other European countries such as France and the Netherlands, and even in the United States, have heard of this chocolate company.
The company's unique selling proposition seems to be that it is a "cottage" chocolate factory. It is a small family-run chocolate factory that makes all of its products in the small workshop in Erezee. They chocolates are handmade with love, and this appeals to many customers, since many people like to shop at small, local businesses. The Defroidmont Chocolate Company is definitely involved in global trade. The company imports its cocoa beans from Papua New Guinea and its chocolates are then exported to other countries, such as France, Luxembourg and the United States. The company does not just sell its chocolates in Belgium or source its ingredients from Belgium; instead, it is involved in global trade by both importing and exporting. Defroidmont is using the market penetration strategy of the import-export business. This "is a relatively low-risk operation given the fact that capital is not tied up and it is relatively easy to enter or exit out of this business" (Gaspar Chapter 8). As part of its channels of distribution, Defroidmont uses distributors, such as upscale retail stores, to sell some of its products, in addition to selling the chocolates directly in its own store. In order to promote, or advertise, its chocolates, Defroidmont mainly relies on its website or word-of-mouth. Customers are able to purchase chocolate directly from its website and have it shipped to them in other countries, such as the United States. Currently, Defroidmont has not developed new products for its international markets, since it is a smaller company, and its products seem to be enjoyed by people in other countries, so there is not a need for adaptation to local cultures.
http://www.chocolatier-defroidmont.be/index.php/en/museum