South Tyrolean producer-exporter Gebrüder Clementi has agreed to work in partnership with apple markerter KIKU, the companies have confirmed.
The company, which is based in Leifers near Bolzano, will pack KIKU-branded apples through its packhouse and supply them to the Italian wholesale market network as well as further afield in Europe.
Owner Richard Clementi said the new partnership agreement would be of huge benefit to his operation as it offered the chance to work with a premium-quality product.
'There are several characteristics which set KIKU apart,' he explained. 'It is an attractive ruby red colour, very sweet and juicy. It can be enjoyed straight from the tree, because it begins to develop its exotic taste immediately.
'KIKU is also easy to store and has an excellent shelf-life, which means it can be kept for a long time in the fruit bowl. KIKU meets the requirements of a moderan apple variety.'
However, he continued, these are not the only reasons for joining the KIKU marketing association.
'We have observed KIKU in recent years, in which time its development has been impressive and global,' he observed. 'Also, we have been convinced by the brand strategy; from now on with the KIKU brand we will distinguish ourselves from all of our competitors in the market.'
He added: 'In the blue box with its fresh appearance, attractive logo and slogan Fresh Apple Emotion, only the best quality is sold to the customer, and we will bind these customers to the KIKU brand through targeted promotions.
Jürgen Braun, chief executive of KIKU, underlined the importance of the deal: 'With our new partner Clementi, we can supply not only the Italian market but also drive our expansion into other countries in Europe and beyond.'
As a collective entity, the KIKU-Pool Europe is set to produce 'more than 15,000 tonnes' of KIKU apples this season, harvested not only in Italy but also in Germany, Austria, Hungary, Switzerland, Slovakia and Greece.
With new growth in mind, KIKU plans to continue working to build the brand and investing heavily in marketing and communications.
The group's main marketing activities this season will focus on point-of-sale promotions, particularly tasting events which are proving popular and also competitions.
Among the prizes shoppers can win are entry to the International Mountain Summit in Bergen, due to take place from the 30 October to the 7 November 2010.
A new photo competition will also be available on the Kiku apple website offering a number of prizes.
Meanwhile, KIKU's sponsorship of Ghanaian skier Kwame Nkrumah-Acheampong is set to continue next February, when the man nicknamed the Snow Leopard takes part in the World Championships in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in southern Germany.
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