After reading the book Stirring It Up by Gary Hirshberg, I can conclude that his idea of a factory system consist of using environmental principles and practices, in order words going green, to make profit and save the planet. From that idea I was able to derivate several differences between his factory system and the factory systems that exist around the nation. One of the main differences is that his factory system is about buying dear and selling cheap, meaning spending money to produce something that’s good and selling it cheap, instead of buying cheap and selling it in an expensive price. Another difference is that his farming system doesn’t release as much carbon dioxide as other farming systems do. Also his system is about not spending a lot of money on advertisements. In his efforts to improve the planet his system is also about cutting down waste. Lastly, his system differentiates because his system is about providing more information for the consumer and having better relations with the suppliers.
In most of the factory systems around the nation the idea is of buying, producing something cheap and selling that product for an expensive price. In Gary Hirshbergs system that is not the idea. According to his book, he believes in putting lots of money in the production of his yogurt , because it will yield the finest yogurt and consumers would buy it. He believes in putting the best ingredients. For example, instead of using high fructose corn syrup, which is what other production factories use, his factory system uses organic sugar. Instead of using modified food starch, his system uses agar from seaweed. Lastly, in his system he uses organic milk solids instead of gelatin. This not only produces the finest yogurt, but also the healthiest and planet saving yogurt. This is what Gary Hirshberg strives for with his factory system.
Another way, in which Gary Hirshbergs factory system differs from other factory systems, is that his production of the yogurt doesn’t release as much carbon dioxide as other productions. Unlike other factory systems, where they use variation of chemicals such as carbon dioxide, nitrate, fossil fuel, to increase production and the growth of their products in order earn a lot of profit from it, Hirshberg’s system is all about the eliminating the use of those chemicals. Since the use of those chemicals damages the environment and the planet. To decrease the release of carbon dioxide, Gary Hirshberg’s factory system uses organic products, instead of pesticides. In his fight against carbon dioxide release he has contributed to the production of wind generators and reforestation projects. This is another way his system factory system differs from others.
Gary Hirshberg’s factory system is built around the idea of making profit by maintaining the environmental principles and practices, with this mind; he does not spend money on advertising his product. Stonyfield uses only 2 percent of the budget for traditional advertisement. Instead of using the media, such as newspapers, magazines, tv, radio like most other factory systems use, according to the book Stirring It up Stony field uses the yogurt cup lids as advertisement and environmental messages. This way of advertising, gives the consumer more access into the information of the product, and leads to a greater bond with the consumers. Other factory systems don’t seek to have this bond with the consumer, and don’t advertise the way Hirshberg’s system does, which creates another difference.
Another way Gary Hirshberg’s factory system differs from other factory systems, is because Gary Hirshberg’s system preaches cutting down the amount of waste and packaging from the production of something, because it will harm the environment. For example in the production of his yogurt, he eliminated the use of plastic cup and the seal. It not only cut down the packaging but also the energy that went into producing this packaging. This is another form in which his system differs from others.
At last a way in which Gary Hirshberg’s factory system differs from other factory systems, is that his factory system consist of maintaining a good relation with the suppliers. Now most of other factory systems seem to always be fighting with the suppliers about the prices and the quality. Instead of being at constant fights, according to Gary Hirshberg his system maintains constant prices not up and down prices. The key is that both the suppliers and the person that’s buying benefit.
Gary Hirshberg’s idea of making profit but at the same time respecting the environment and practices, has led his factory system to be different from other factory systems.