by Smoke | Aug 6, 2018 | Brands & Distribution, Cannabis, New Products - Brands
Pleased to share our new partnership with Form Factory Inc. Foods! Exciting times!
PORTLAND-BASED FORM FACTORY INC. FOODS PARTNERS WITH VERTICAL COMPANIES TO BRING INFUSED PRODUCTS TO VAST CALIFORNIA CANNABIS MARKETÂ
Form Factory Inc. to Build Full Production Facility at Vertical’s Needles Campus To Produce a Wide Range of Edibles
Portland, OR – August 6, 2018 – Portland-based cannabis products co-packer Gruner Apfel, now known as “Form Factory Inc.,†and Vertical Companies of Agoura Hills, CA, today announced a joint partnership where Form Factory Inc. is scheduled to build a full production facility at Vertical Companies’ licensed Needles, CA, campus to co-pack an array of new infused products for the California medical and adult recreational cannabis market.
The facility is the first California Form Factory Inc. co-packing facility to open under its Form Factory Inc. partnership with MacArthur Capital.
“I met the Vertical principals through YPO, and their experience from food and beverage is very strong,†said Todd Boren, MacArthur Capital Managing Partner. “It’s a tremendous partnership that will enable us to expand throughout California.â€
Form Factory will manufacture the branded cannabis edibles for the California market. Vertical cultivation and extraction will provide raw cannabis ingredients, and Vertical distribution will bring these products to licensed retailers throughout the state.
“Form Factory brings deep expertise in the manufacture of edible products—a strong management team, a focus on quality, and a relentless pursuit of delivering a safe and predictable consumer experience,†explained Vertical President J. Smoke Wallin. “These qualities are what we look for to bring a broad array of the highest quality cannabis products to our markets. It’s the perfect addition to our rapidly expanding BCAA-licensed Needles, CA, operations.â€
Led by food and beverage industry veteran Tony Bash, former VP of Sales for innovative food, beverage, and spirits giant LiDestri, Form Factory Inc. Foods is the first food and beverage packing company licensed by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission (OLCC)’s Recreational Cannabis Division. The company is currently packing products for a rapidly expanding list of edibles, beverage, and topical brands.
 
About Form Factory Inc. Foods
Form Factory Inc. Foods is the first Oregon-based company licensed by the OLCC’s Recreational Marijuana Program to pack and bottle cannabis-based food and beverages. The company covers all aspects of production, from concept to final execution, using modern equipment, professional packaging, and decades of experience in the industry. It is Form Factory Inc. Foods’ mission to package and bottle the healthiest, freshest products for the cannabis food and beverage industry.
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About Verticalâ„¢
Vertical is among the first and largest vertically integrated companies in the legal medical cannabis industry. It has operations in AZ, KY, and CA, combined with strategic partnerships in OH and additional markets which position it well to take advantage of the legalization and normalization of cannabis globally. Vertical is led by an executive team of entrepreneurs and business leaders from the alcohol beverage, agriculture, CPG, distribution, entertainment, food, healthcare, and medical industries.
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by Smoke | Feb 2, 2015 | 2015 Event, Blog
That was a great Super Bowl! Well, as great a game as it could be without the Colts in it. That said, I’m sure many of you joined me watching the actual big game – the commercials. I did not evaluate every one, but the most notable discussions (I posted on Facebook and Twitter as the night went on and had lots of interesting interaction) I recap below.
My comments denoted with @smokewallin. Where others commented or tweeted I list their Twitter handle.
Interesting Comments and Un-categorized:
@smokewallin: Pretty close.. RT @jack_welch: Product Managers….every day try to design a perfect product like NFL
@smokewallin: Really? RT @adage: Whoa RT @LoctiteGlue Hey, @BUDWEISER! Stop bidding on our ad keywords. Love, Loctite
@smokewallin: Wix.com websites.. Farve & Carve… nice ad! Worked
NASCAR
@smokewallin: Nice @NASCAR @nbc ad at end… @DISupdates coming soon! #SuperBowl #superbowlcommercials
BUDWEISER:
The horses saving the puppy from wolves was beautifully done. There was a lot of push back from the craft beer world on the This BUD’S FOR YOU slaming craft beer. My sentiment was ABI (Anheier-Busch Inbev) is simply playing to their strength and their core audience with the through-back ad.  The PacMan ad for Budlight did not work for me though.
@smokewallin:Big Beer fights back Craft beer .. @Budweiser “Let them sip their Pumpkin, Peach Ale we’ll be brewing golden suds” nicely done4 target!
@smokewallin: I think @Budweiser bringing back old school works better than Pacman @budlight hard to see how it connects #upforanything #SuperBowl commercials
@smokewallin: Play to your strength? RT @businessinsider: People are slamming Budweiser ad that mocks craft beer http://read.bi/1BR2DGFÂ
@smokewallin: Play your strength? RT @adage: Look what came back at the #SuperBowl: An old slogan http://trib.al/oYGzM1NÂ
Here is one example of the craft beer world reaction from the Ashley V Routson aka “BeerWenchâ€
https://twitter.com/TheBeerWench Hazzah ‪#craftbeer! Budweiser has officially admitted to being threatened by us, albeit passive aggressively though a Super Bowl commercial.
Soft Drinks
Coca-Cola a big win with their positive message. Love the reply to negative tweets and see message. Oh and thanks for the retweet Coke! Pepsi with their half time extravaganza with Katy Perry did well. Most seemed to like the show and it was well executed.
@smokewallin: Coca-Cola #makeithappy nice sentiment. #superbowlcommercials
@smokewallin: Thx RT @CocaCola: @SmokeWallin #MakeItHappy is more than a # Reply 2 negative Tweets + see! http://bit.ly/1BgZw8bÂ
AUTOS
Fiat had the best ad, hands down. The little blue pill told a whole story in a short spot. Loved it! Liked the Harry Chapin ad (and song), but the message might be mixed up a bit… I expected the kids to leave at end and become a race driver, just as the dad was hanging it up – it would have matched the story of the song. Mercedes-Benz tortoise and the hare was cute and effective.
@smokewallin: The @FIATUSA 500 and the little blue pill… told a whole story.. nicely done! #SuperBowl commercials
Mercedes-Benz USA nice touch on old tortoise and hare fable.. tortoise gets the “girl”.. cute
@smokewallin: Nissan Kid growing up with Racing dad while Harry Chapin Cats In the Cradle plays… worked #superbowlcommercials
@smokewallin: This land was made for you and me.. @Jeep Nice touch making it international! @FIATUSA #SuperBowl commercials
@smokewallin: Ok, Being a Dad… @Toyota USA hits home… Nice.. but did all these companies discuss the Dad theme? #SuperBowl commercials
@smokewallin: concur RT @adage: We’ve reached Peak Dad with that one. #withdad @nissan #SuperBowlads
@smokewallin: the BMW i3 ad with Bryant Gumbel and Katie Couric flash back to what is the internet was cute. #superbowlcommercials
Fast Company @FastCompany @BMW‘s #SuperBowl ad takes @katiecouric and Bryant Gumbel back in time: http://f-st.co/t3jR3wa by @jeffcbeer
The Kia ad with Pierce Bronson was actually pretty good as well.
Insurance
Nationwide was a fail mainly because it was such a serious ad and using a horrible thought like losing a child to an accident did not fit Superbowl. The American Family Insurance ad with Jennifer Hudson was cute, but pretty short and kind of got lost.
@smokewallin: Didn’t like Nationwide Insurance kid who will never grow up- I get it but not really mood of the Superbowl to me. #SuperBowl commercial
Medicine and Soap:
Dove was a great feeling ad, but kind of letdown when it got to the product. Jublia did not work and was not cleaver.
Dove
@smokewallin: exactly RT @marcmalkin: That dad’s commercial was good until they showed it was for soap. Kinda killed the emotional buzz #SuperBowl
 Jublia
@smokewallin: Jublia… uhm.. no. #SuperBowl commercials
@smokewallin: My sentiment… ugh RT @adage: Talk about turf toe. @kenwheaton gives Jublia commercial 1.5 stars.
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by Smoke | Feb 11, 2014 | 2014 Event, Blog
We are in full planning mode for the 10th Annual WITS… hard to believe that a few of us sat around brain storming ideas for a “technology extravaganza for the wine industry” almost 11 years ago. Â Please plan on joining us this year in Napa, CA as we celebrate a decade of WITS, for what promises to be our most exciting and well attended event. Â Here is the link to the press release and posted below as well.
10th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium to Unite Wine Business Leaders, Technology Experts on June 30 & July 1, 2014
(NAPA, Calif.)  —The 10th Annual Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)®, the premier event showcasing the strategic use of information technology and services for the wine industry, has been set for June 30 – July 1, 2014 at the Napa Valley Marriott Hotel. www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
Executives from wineries, distributors and retailers gather annually at WITS, the only annual conference designed exclusively to foster education and debate around the application of technology solutions for the wine industry. The 2014 WITS program includes:
- Educational Tracks – Sessions on Technology Leadership, Small Business, Consumer Direct, Trade Sales & Marketing and Vineyard & Winery Operations
- Speed Dating – To celebrate the 10th technology extravaganza, WITS has introduced “speed dating†for winery CIOs and technology companies. This will provide opportunities for quality one-on-one time with key decision makers and thought leaders.
- Plus Beer, with BITS – WITS has united leaders in the craft brewing industry to add the first Beer Industry Technology Symposium (BITS™) that will run concurrent with WITS this year.
“In today’s rapidly changing business environment, where consumers are driving massive change throughout the industry, it is vital to get it right when it comes to your route to market, as well as the strategic and tactical use of enabling technology,†said J. Smoke Wallin, WITS Co-Chair. “WITS is the only place where winery owners and GMs can sit side by side for a day of learning and discussion with CIOs and other technology leaders from across the three tiers,†he added.
The WITS Steering Committee, comprised of technology and business leaders across the wine industry, is currently finalizing panel topics and keynote speakers. Past speakers have included the CEOs, CIOs and leaders from Amazon, Facebook, Groupon, garyvaynerchuk.com, FedEx Office, Nielsen and 1800-Flowers, as well as experts from IBM, Oracle, Cornell University, UC Davis, Sonoma State University and many others.
Attendees and sponsors are encouraged to register early, as space is limited and expected to sell out quickly. Registration will open March 1, 2014. For more information visit www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com.
About The Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS)
The Wine Industry Technology Symposium (WITS) was created to address the unique information technology and services needs of the wine industry. WITS is dedicated to bringing the world’s leading wineries, distributors and retailers together with the leading technology experts to foster learning and discussion. Expert panels and keynotes discuss leading edge case studies involving consumer direct marketing and sales, operations, financial management, trade sales and distribution, winemaking and vineyard management. www.wineindustrytechnologysymposium.com
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by Smoke | Jan 9, 2014 | 2011 Event, Book & Film Reviews
Re-Posted From Wine 2.0 in 2011
I recently had the opportunity to sit down at with Michael Schwartz, chef/owner of Michael’s Geniune in Miami. Â http://www.michaelsgenuine.com/Â Â Michael’s Genuine is located at 130 Northeast 40th Street
Miami, FL 33137Â (305) 573-5550
Michael is an amazing chef and a great person to hang with. Â Michael just published his first book – “Michael’s Genuine Food” Â
Aside from the incredible food and dining experience, I had the chance to ask Michael some questions about his background, his cooking philosophy and importantly to all of us, his views on wine.
“Schwartz’s culinary innovation  puts him at the forefront of the farm-to-table movement. He’s now on a national stage, based primarily on his straightforward, ingredient-driven cuisine, as well as his commitment to supporting local farmers and responsible, seasonal food sourcing.
He was recently honored with the prestigious 2010 James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef and has appeared on national TV shows including Top Chef”, Rachael Ray’s Rachael’s Vacation, Throwdown with Bobby Flay, After Hours With Daniel Boulud, Simply Ming with Ming Tsai, and Fresh Food Fast with Emeril Lagasse.”
J. Smoke Wallin (JSW): Â What got you into cooking?
Michael Schwartz (MS): Well I grew up in Philadelphia in the ’60s and ’70s. The closest I came to cooking as a kid was cutting up the Stroehmannwhite bread for stuffing at Thanksgiving dinner!!  My mom didn’t make much from scratch…  Things changed when I was 15 and I got a job bussing tables at Dilullo’s, a Northern Italian restaurant in Philadelphia.  The place was ahead of its time and really swanky, importing expensive, high quality ingredients from Italy. After about a year, I had worked my way into the back of the house.
JSW: What has been the greatest thing about starting Michael’s Genuine?
MS: Meeting great people and doing great things with them.
JSW: When you decided to open another restaurant, why Grand Cayman?
MS: Well it was less of me deciding it was time to open another MGFD than realizing we could when DART approached me.  I have to admit I was a little skeptical at first.  I didn’t think it was possible to replicate the experience of the restaurant, which has so much to do with the process – the responsible sourcing that is so important to who we are.  But I went down there and met with them, and liked who I met and what I saw. There was an emerging farming community poised to embrace a restaurant like ours and we’ve just been learning and growing with each other.  It’s really great.  We’re getting great variety of local product down there, even this past summer – thai eggplant, callaloo, herbs, peppers, amazing mangos, and local pumpkins… Of course there are things we need to bring in, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised.
JSW:  What made you want to write your book?
MS: I’ve always wanted to do a book. Again it was all about timing and relationships. Some executives from Clarkson Potter were in town and ate with us and said they wanted to publish my first book. Â I pulled together a proposal and two years later, we have MICHAEL’S GENUINE FOOD: Down-to-Earth Cooking for People Who Love to Eat. Â I’m really proud of the work we did to pull it together – I got to work with some pretty talented people, like my photographer Ben Fink. Â The photos are beautiful and really capture what the dishes are all about – simple preparations using really fresh product.Â
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JSW: What is your wine philosophy at Michael’s?
MS: Our philosophy is just like food. It starts with the best producers and great product. I’m very lucky to have a sommelier like Eric Larkee. He’s always one step ahead of the game. We’re able to keep prices very reasonable and offer a creative, yet edited list. I’m lucky to have talented friends like Dennis Scholl and Richard Betts with the Betts & Scholl label… Jim Clendendon of Au Bon Climat..The list goes on… We’re of course trying to always to be responsible in every aspect of the business… So I know Eric gravitates towards producers that are using natural methods… and we recycle our corks and bottles (for water service) whenever possible. I’m looking into glass cutters right now so we can recycle the bottles for drinks glasses too.
 JSW:  Describe the perfect meal.
MS: One with my family, cooking food from our friends.
JSW: What’s best about being Michael?
MS: What kind of question is that?! I would say I’m lucky for the people I’m surrounded by, so that’s what’s best.
JSW: what has been your biggest challenge?
MS: Spending as much time with my family as I do with my other family at work.
JSW: What can we expect when we buy your book?
MS: Well it’s definitely a Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink greatest hits to a certain degree, which is what I wanted out of a first book. Â It’s divided similar to how our menu is set up, with a bunch of the dishes that we know and love, and some new things too. Â I think what I’m most happy about is that the book really works. Â So many times, especially with recipes you find on the internet, nothing works. Â My compulsive organization really worked to my advantage on this one!
JSW: When can we get you out to the Bay area and up to Napa to enjoy some wine and share your book and story with our friends?
MS: Um, soon!!
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