Alliant Coffee Solutions offers a blueprint for success to OCS operators, large and small

Stoulil said that Alliant is often misunderstood. “We are not a distributor. Everything we sell directly to OCS operators is either developed by us — or for us. That is a defining characteristic of our business that really sets us apart and delivers a competitive advantage to operators who work with us.”

Full line of products

While trusted coffee brands in multiple formats, whole bean, ground, portion packs, pods and single-serve K-Cups are at the core of what Alliant sells, coffee represents just a fraction of their extensive product catalogue of over 300 offerings.  Alliant is set up to be a one-stop shop for OCS operators, offering coffee, soluble powders, teas, flavored sweeteners, plus a large selection of OCS-related paper products, including a full line of sustainable, eco-friendly selections and more.

Alliant’s top ten sellers are led by coffees in multiple formats along with soluble solutions and organic tea. Stoulil said these products will strengthen any OCS product menu.

1. Wolfgang Puck Compostable Soft Coffee Pods, Fairtrade Organic Colombian and Espresso
2. Reunion Coffee Roasters Whole Bean - Colombia Las Hermosas
3. CafeXpress Solubles: Milk and Cocoa
4. Barista Select Solubles: Milk and Cocoa
5. Donut Shop Original Roast Compostable Soft Coffee Pods
6. Café de Olla Portion Pack Coffee
7. Organa Tea Panfired Green Tea Soft Pods
8. Donut Shop Original Roast K-Cups
9. CBTL Colombia Portion Pack Coffee
10. Reunion Coffee Roasters Compostable Soft Pods - Colombia Las Hermosas

Pods are hot

“We continue to see strong growth with soft pods, led by our Wolfgang Puck Compostable Soft Coffee Pods — our number one seller,” Stoulil said. “The quality is superb, plus they check off a big sustainability box for consumers and OCS operators - offering a cost-effective, green solution.”

Commitment to sustainable solutions

Operators have made it clear to the Alliant team that sustainable products are critically important and much needed. Stoulil said that Alliant has responded with multiple product solutions to meet customer demand, including pods, compostable single-cup K-Cup selections, and the introduction of recyclable, biodegradable, and compostable materials in their products and packaging, as part of a complete line of eco-friendly products. “We are fully committed to supporting operators with sustainable solutions,” he said.

A competitive advantage

Stoulil notes that operators who work with Alliant Coffee Solutions enjoy a clear competitive advantage. “As a supplier that sells direct, bypassing the middleman, there are some obvious benefits to operators, involving pricing, ordering, supply chain and marketing support,” he said.

Pricing and Ordering Advantage

From a pricing standpoint, Alliant is well-positioned, highly competitive, and rewards its best customers with special pricing. They also make it very easy for operators to dip into the Alliant product line. “They do not need to buy huge quantities to enjoy freight-inclusive pricing,” Stoulil said. “Our online store, rolled out about six months ago, makes ordering easy. It is not a public website — it is a B2B website only, exclusively for OCS operators.”

Supply Chain Advantage

“We sell our own products, so we control the supply chain. Operators can be confident that the inventory they need will be in stock. We understand that time is of the essence in the coffee service industry, which is why we prioritize quick and reliable delivery, ensured by strategically located warehouses on both the East and West coasts. Whether it is a quick restock or an expansion of offerings, Alliant has operators covered,” Stoulil said.

Marketing Advantage

Customized product marketing support has been enjoyed by Alliant customers for years. “We don’t just sell products to OCS operators,” Stoulil said. “We want them to maximize sales, and our customized marketing support has been a huge success – a big value add for operators.”

In a strong new show of support for OCS operators, Alliant has now rolled out an impressive online marketing portal, designed to supplement the existing marketing program. “Our portal offers operators 24/7 access to digital assets such as product images, brand logos, customizable sell sheets — everything they need to sell more, set up their own online catalogs and tell the product and brand stories to their own customers,” Stoulil noted.

Some new offerings

At the upcoming NAMA Show, Alliant will be exhibiting in booth #1862 and introducing some exciting new products for OCS operators, including:

• BPI Certified Compostable K-Cups
• Barsista Select Whole Bean Coffee
• Hurricane Whole Bean Coffee and Compostable Soft Coffee Pods

Stoulil said he loves the NAMA Show experience because it is an opportunity to connect with existing customers and talk to new potential clients. “We can meet one-on-one with operators and talk about what is working, what they need to see more of, and what we can do to help them succeed as operators. We are proud of our exceptional customer service, but asking the right questions is an important part of the equation and that is what the NAMA Show is all about for Alliant Coffee Solutions – building relationships. Come see us at booth #1862.”

Tullio’s take on Alliant Coffee Solutions

There is a lot to be impressed with here, but four things convinced me that working with Alliant Coffee Solutions makes sense for OCS operators.

• A Blueprint. Alliant offers a product “blueprint” for any operator trying to keep up with the fast-changing OCS business — especially for new operators. Their catalogue is an ideal way to set up a balanced product selection.
• Differentiation. As Stoulil pointed out, Alliant works with operators large and small. For the larger operators, their catalogue offers something outside the typical distribution channel and that can be the key for an operator who wants to provide something different from the competition. Reliable inventory, ease of ordering, the marketing portal and fast delivery are also positives that attract larger operators.
• A Perfect House Blend. Alliant’s whole-bean selections are a smart choice (high quality and clear value) for bean-to-cup brewers, which should be a solid profit center for OCS operators who put the right coffee and espresso in the hoppers.
• Wolfgang Puck. It is a premium brand and an excellent choice in all formats. Offering a known name that tastes great and is priced right — that is a smart move in today’s OCS climate. It does taste great!