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Happy New Merry Holidays

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:41:11 -0600

The Lebermuth team gathered at the South Bend Country club on Dec. 16th to celebrate the holidays, our 104th birthday, and the outstanding service and achievements of many of our key team members. The night began with music and drinks and the realization that our customer service department may spend too much time together, (they, along with our President’s wife AJ, matched almost a little too well…)

AJ, Heather & Eve

Conversation continued to sparkle as we found our tables and dinner was served. There are many things that excite us at Lebermuth, and good food is no exception, so much so that we gave out a Top Chef award to Cesar who works in our Blending Department, (he has made our end of summer cookouts legendary).

Our Top Chef Cesar, with award presenter Brett.

Toward the end of dinner Rob Brown gave his State of Lebermuth address. He had us laughing, clapping and almost at tears as he recognized our fearless shipping coordinator Barb Butler for her 20 years of service on “his team” and by the time he thanked his father, Irv Brown, grandson of founder Morris Brown, for his contributions and leadership over the last 60 years we were all on our feet. Altogether over 10 team members were recognized for their contributions and service.

State of Lebermuth - Rob Brown, President

Rob and Irv Brown Celebrating Irv's 60 years of leadership.

Rob and Alan Brown, President and Vice President, The Lebermuth Co.

Barb (pictured with her other half) is a huge part of the reason orders
get out the door so fast. Congratulations on 20 years!

We like to celebrate and since it was a party we also handed out some for-the-fun-of-it awards including most likely to live through Survivor, Ed Fuchs, and most likely to win America’s Got Talent, Big John, who probably has a real last name, but no one except HR is really sure what it is.

Ed with his "Survival" Trophy, we aren't sure
what the Kung Fu Trophy Guy on top is doing
but we're sure Ed can handle it!!

America's Got Talent Winner! There are so many
potential entry categories for Big John, the
internet doesn't have room to list them all...

This guys attitude is something that gets talked about... Mike, our Mishawaka
warehouse manager, was was recognized by his co-workers for his postitive
and helpful attitude. Congratulations Mike!

We aren't really sure what would happen if Angie
wasn't part of our team, and we don't want to think
about it! We truly appreciate your efforts and
keeping us all straight!

After dinner the party continued with our traditional Secret Santa gift exchange which always promises to be filled with laughter. Last year I got a Snuggie, which was perfect since I had been “relocated” to an office off the warehouse and this year’s gifts certainly didn’t disappoint! Our DJ Mr. Jackson, begun spinning tunes and soon had everyone out on the floor for the Cupid Shuffle and thinking that maybe a 10 O’clock morning break time dance off might just be what we need Mondays to get the blood flowing. Dancing and laughing finished the night off with “Happy Holidays” and “Happy New Year” still ringing in the air we made our way out into the crystal clear, moonlit winter night.

Alan and Sarah From the Fragrance Lab

Whatever Steve N. is talking about he believes Rob has it. "This Guy!"

"Kick now kick now walk it by yo self walk it by yo self" (There are no actual photos of
us doing the Cupid Shuffle, because we were ALL doing it!)

If we ever open a Lebermuth Bakery... Jan keeps our breakroom
stocked with holiday treats to die for from peppermint patties to cookies
and my personal favorite, Cranberry Nut Bread.

Such a great evening, apparently reminding a few us of Prom ^^^!

From All of Us to All of You, Happy New Year!

Natural Products Expo West

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 13:29:51 -0500

Natural Products Expo West was wonderfully attended by a record number of exhibitors and attendees. With a record setting 3,533 exhibits and more than 58,000 industry members, Expo West saw the highest attendance in its 31 years. While it took considerable effort at times to get to some booths due to the crowds, it was well worth it when we were able to see and catch up with current customers.

It was great to see many so many Lebermuth customers expanding their brands and launching new products. There was a wide range of new product launches from personal care to products dealing with chasing away mosquitoes and bed bugs. We also got some excellent feedback on the new Lebermuth brand look and were so happy to hear the great level of satisfaction our customer service team has been providing. It was also nice to hear the continued satisfaction customers are having with the quality of our products verse those they have tried from our competitors.

We'd love to meet up with you during our travels. For a complete schedule of 2011 Tradeshows download The Official Lebermuth Calendar.

Did you attend Natural Products Expo West? Let us know what you thought! Traveling to an upcoming show? We'd love to meet you contact us and we'll see you on the road!

National Confectioners Association's State Of The Industry

Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:58:57 -0600

Lebermuth's Mel Brown attended the NCA's State of the Industry in Miami, Florida earlier this month. "It was a wonderful networking opportunity." Mel said of the conference. With presenters including Tony Hsieh of Zappos and Tim Rose of Costco, insights were shared on approaches to marketing and company culture as well as supplementing value with a complete customer care experience. "Overall it was a great experience with helpful insight and terrific colleagues."

Blue Skies and Purple Fields

Tue, 16 Nov 2010 09:46:41 -0600

For years The Lebermuth Company has been traveling around the world, sourcing essential oils and ingredients. Their search for the best is never ending. Alan Brown, Vice President and great grandson of founder Morris Brown began traveling to Bulgaria in 1985 in search of rose and lavender oils. Much has changed since his first visits to this quaint and beautiful country. Read below as he recounts his 2010 trip which he began his at the beginning of June.

I arrived in Sofia Bulgaria where I immediately traveled to the Kanzalak area. There, the Bulgarian rose campaign was in process, but nearing the end. While there was rain during the heart of the season, and some damage to the roses was evident, it appeared that overall the flowers were very nice and ultimately the rains would have little effect on the crop. At the end of the season this prediction remained true for the yield was better than the crop in 2009 and the quality of the oil is being considered above average. Unfortunately, the crops in Morocco and Turkey did not fare as well, and since price is determined by the world crop yield, the cost of rose oil has continued to remain high.

Next I traveled to visit many Lavender fields and distillers. With the Balkan mountains in constant view, my overriding thought was how beautiful this landscape is and how unfair only 7.5 million people have the opportunity to regularly experience its beauty. I was also suprised by the observation that so many of the older lavender fields had been “let go.” Weeds permeated the fields and it was apparent these stands would not be harvested. I was told that there were many contributing factors for for letting a field go. It could be the owner of the land could not come to an agreement with a cultivator and distiller to maintain and harvest the lavender. Another explanation was the owner could not find labor. With their entrance into the Eastern European Union, many Bulgarians are looking to increase their standard of living, which for many indeed has occurred. Weeding the land is not the ideal career choice and there is beginning to be a shortage of affordable farming labor in this beautiful land. Never before have I seen so many Mercedes Benz, Audi and BMW vehicles on the Bulgarian country roads. Things in Bulgaria have changed so quickly from just a short time ago when the Berlin wall fell. In general the lavender fields I saw were magnificent, full and blooming with essential oil; I was certain we would have a normal crop (typically about 40 tons).

Just two weeks after Alan left Bulgaria the lavender fields were inundated with heavy rains. In the specific region of Shumen the rains were devastating. A typical yield of lavender is 125 kilos of flowers yielding 1 kilo of essential oil. This year in Shumen some yields were 350 to 1 kilo. Thus, the total crop in Bulgaria is estimated at 22 tons and because the Bulgarian crop represents 40 % of the world’s harvest – prices have skyrocketed. We anticipate strengthening with relief not in sight until September/October 2011.

A Long Road of Adventures

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:08:44 -0500

The Lebermuth Company is proud to announce our Travel Journal. We have had a very exciting summer. As the trees change their colors and we reflect back on our adventures, we realize these and future good times should be shared with you, our friends and customers. Stay tuned each week as we share what is going on at home and on the road. You might be surprised with all that Mother Nature has in store!