Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark - Ronald H. Bixby

By CommonShare

Little Apple Cidery, under the leadership of Ronald H. Bixby, is a renowned organic cidery nestled in an old orchard blooming with little apples. With a commitment to restoring the orchard and producing organic cider, the company has flourished over the past 40 years. Little Apple Cidery's core products include heirloom cider varieties such as Northern Spy, Golden Russet, and Baldwin apples, alongside English and French cider blends. Their Orchard Bar, open from May to November, offers a unique farm cidery experience for cider enthusiasts.

As a prominent player in the cidery industry, Little Apple Cidery has carved a niche for itself with its focus on organic farming practices and the production of high-quality ciders. The company's dedication to utilizing traditional and rare apple varieties sets them apart from competitors, offering customers a unique tasting experience. Notable achievements include the introduction of their latest Little Batch, Bittersweets, a semi-dry cider boasting a symphony of tannins that has garnered acclaim among cider connoisseurs.

With a target market of cider aficionados and organic produce enthusiasts, Little Apple Cidery has established a loyal customer base drawn to their commitment to quality and sustainability. The company's mission revolves around preserving heritage apple varieties and creating a welcoming space for visitors to enjoy the Little Apple experience. Located at 178 Orchard Lane in Hillsdale, NY, Little Apple Cidery's strategic direction focuses on expanding their market presence while staying true to their organic roots and commitment to excellence in cider production.

In conclusion, under the guidance of Ronald H. Bixby, Little Apple Cidery continues to thrive as a leading organic cidery, offering a unique blend of traditional and rare apple ciders for discerning consumers. With a rich history, strong values, and a dedication to organic farming, the company looks towards a future filled with growth and innovation in the cider industry.

Overall Rating

1.0

Under-Performing

Traceability

An increasingly important factor in global supply chains, traceability assesses the manufacturer's capability to track products and materials from origin to delivery. The Sustainable Manufacturers Benchmark® explores this through the lens of tiered supplier verification, culminating in end-to-end traceability with real-time monitoring and complete transparency.

Digitized Products

The digital landscape has transformed B2B interactions. This facet assesses the extent to which manufacturers have digitized their product offerings. The spectrum ranges from manufacturers without any online product catalog to those boasting advanced B2B e-commerce platforms, providing clients with order customization, real-time tracking, and an integrated view of the supply chain.

Preferred Materials

This aspect gauges the extent to which manufacturers incorporate sustainable, circular, and regenerative materials in their supply chain. It assesses whether companies merely use standard materials or whether they actively prioritize sustainable and preferred materials in their product range, even going so far as to offer digital verification of material certificates.

Facility Verification and Services

This dimension evaluates the openness and commitment of manufacturers regarding their facility's conditions and services. It covers a spectrum, from providing no facility details at all to showcasing comprehensive third-party audits, ensuring transparency in worker welfare and showcasing a clear commitment to maintaining top-tier facility services.

Readiness to Contract

Before entering a partnership, it's pivotal to understand a manufacturer's business legitimacy. The Sustainable Manufacturers Benchmark® checks for the presence and verification of essential documents, ranging from basic business licenses to comprehensive documentation, client testimonials, and even third-party attestations that verify a manufacturer's reliability and readiness to contract.

Ronald H. Bixby

United States

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How our Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark® Works?

By CommonShare

The Responsible Manufacturer Benchmark is a comprehensive framework designed to evaluate and rate manufacturers based on their commitment to sustainability, digital integration, readiness for contracting, material sourcing, and facility standards. It provides a clear, standardized metric for assessing manufacturers in a B2B environment, helping businesses make informed decisions aligned with their sustainability objectives. The benchmark covers crucial areas like end-to-end traceability, the digital verification of supply tiers, utilization of preferred materials, and verified social audits for facilities. By incorporating both depth and granularity across its criteria, the benchmark not only promotes transparency but also encourages continuous improvement in responsible manufacturing practices.