ONTARIO AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
Department of Environmental Biology
Bee-O-Sphere Technologies November 27,2003
Dear Andrew and Ian:
I am writing to you today to tell you how pleased I am to have been involved with your Bee-O-Pac product development and testing. Although initially I thought you may be trying to invent something that already exists, I now feel that your new product is a leap ahead for the production and marketing of comb honey. In our 2002 and 2003 trials with the Bee-O-Pac we found that the handling was straightforward, the bees readily built and filled comb, and that the finished product is appealing in every way.
By making the frames function as both the base for comb construction and the container, significant handling and material costs are eliminated. Compared to cut comb honey production there are no frames to clean, no foundation to purchase or install, no equipment for the messy process of cutting and draining, less risk of crystallization, and no separate container to purchase. Your choice of the commonly used 6 5/8" honey super also eliminates the need for specialized and dedicated equipment.
I find the size of the Bee-O-Pac appeals to both the profit minded beekeeper and the consumer alike. With 128 packages per super the potential for profit is obvious. Consumers find the size appealing as many buy comb honey out of curiosity, not necessarily wanting a large quantity. I think that if they finish eating their first comb honey purchase they are more likely to become repeat customers. Because the comb structure is completely visible it is possible to see how bees construct and fill comb. This gives the Bee-0-Pac more educational value than other forms of comb honey. The clarity of the P.E.T. container gives the product an elegant look which should help the product sell at higher end gift and gourmet stores. Other details that have impressed me are the easy open tab on the lid, the safety seal /label combination and the ability to stack the product safely.
I would like to congratulate you on your success at developing this new product and look forward to using the Bee-O-Pac in the near future.
Sincerely,
Paul Kelly
Apiculture Research Technician,
Apiculture Field Laboratory
The University of Guelph
GUELPH ONTARIO CANADA N1G 2W1 (519) 824-4120 FAX (519) 837-0442
