Applying ourselves during these times of trouble
Here’s our story.
First…
The first thing Amherst Label management did when the current health crisis struck, was to assure the health and safety of our family of workers. We instituted an Employee Health News page on our website, password-protected, for keeping employees updated on critical health matters. Starting on March 14, the company strategy evolved from washing hands for 20 seconds to social distancing to wearing cloth face masks—according to CDC recommendations. Amherst Label management recognized early that our business depended on the health of their team.
Next…
Next, we stocked up and laid groundwork to continue to serve our customers. Close cooperation with label stock and ink suppliers and other vendor relationships were priorities. Amherst Label VP Nye Hornor explained, “We tried to bring in all the supplies we anticipated needing.” As a manufacturer of labels for bottled water, vitamins, medical products, food and beverages, Amherst Label is a critical supplier to essential businesses.
Ways we could help
But it didn’t take long to recognize there were ways, that as a label manufacturer, we could help more.
A new customer, Evolve in Derry, NH, asked for help in labeling sanitizer. “We didn’t hesitate,” said Hornor. The story.
When our neighbors at Alene Candle in Milford retooled to produce face shields, Amherst Label produced the required labels. The story.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Amherst Label customers have been stepping up to help others. Nobl Coffee quickly offered its cold brew to hospital workers. (Story on Facebook)
Amherst Label either donated or significantly discounted the labels for all of these projects.
As longtime customer service representative Sherri Edwards pointed out to her contact at Alene Candles, “We are all trying to do our part.”
Amherst Label either donated or significantly discounted the labels for all of these projects.
Hard-hit is the hospitality industry… and craft beer makers are stepping up to help. Two significant efforts are underway and Amherst Label is supporting both.
Gratuity helps hospitality workers
Five NH breweries have collaborated on a new beer to support hospitality workers impacted by the current crisis. 100% of the proceeds from this beer will be donated to the NH Hospitality Employee Relief Fund (NHHERF.org). Great North Aleworks, Woodstock Inn Brewery, Moat Mountain Brewing Company, Smuttynose Brewing Company and Great Rhythm Brewing Company jointly created a Pale Ale named Gratuity featuring Galaxy, Amarillo and Lemon Drop hops. Great North brewed the beer and all five brewers have donated supplies and ingredients.
Brian Parda of Great North Aleworks spoke for all the collaborators: “The opportunity to say thank you to the hospitality industry who have helped us all build our business is something we cherish. Cheers to creative thinking, community support and teamwork! A special thank you as well to Amherst Label, Wyeast Labs and D Coco Studios for their generosity and support in the making of Gratuity.”
With labels printed by Amherst Label, Gratuity will ship exclusively through distributor Amoskeag Beverages the first week of May 2020 and be available state-wide in NH.
While Gratuity is NH-based, the All-Together program is a world-wide effort initiated by NY-based Other Half Brewing.
All Together: World-wide Effort to Help Local Hospitality Workers
All Together is a worldwide, open-ended beer collaboration created to raise support for the hospitality industry.
From its founders: “All Together is an effort to raise awareness and provide relief, even in the smallest way, to those who are struggling. We’re inviting any brewer, from any corner of the planet to participate. The recipe is open source, the artwork is public, and the name is yours to use. The goal is to provide you with the tools to make the beer at the lowest possible cost. We ask that a portion of the proceeds go to supporting hospitality professionals in your community. The rest should go to keeping you in business to weather this storm. As much as this is about raising money, this is also an exercise in awareness so that local communities can understand how daily life has been upended for those that rely on social gathering to make a living. At the end of the day, this is about what it’s always been about—community.” More information.
“If our customers are out there making something good happen, we want to help if we can. For us, it’s a labor of love.”
Amherst Label customers Bissell Brothers, Rising Tide and Saco River Brewing are participating in All Together and asked their go-to label supplier to join them.
In times of trouble, Amherst Label is living up to our slogan and applying themselves. Amherst Label’s Hornor commented, “If our customers are out there making something good happen, we want to help if we can. For us, it’s a labor of love.”
About the New Hampshire Hospitality Employee Relief Fund
The New Hampshire Hospitality Employee Relief Fund (NHHERF) was built by the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association (NHLRA) and the New Hampshire Lodging & Restaurant Association Education Foundation to support employees of the hospitality industry who have been impacted by COVID-19. To learn more/donate: NHHERF.org.
