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Successful start up serves as a positive example of growth and innovation in uncertain economic climate
HARTLAND, Wis. – July 20, 2011 – While many business headlines over the past few years have focused on cuts, closures and losses, Johnson Creek Enterprises (JCE) and its signature products, Johnson Creek Original & Red Oak Smoke Juice, look a bit like the little engine that could.
Founded in 2008, JCE is the first company in the U.S. to make liquid for electronic cigarette cartridges (e-cigarettes) completely from scratch. The initial idea for the company came when Founder and CEO Christian Berkey purchased an e-cigarette online and loved everything about the process and the product – except for its flavor. He searched the Internet for American companies offering better “juice” but found none. Berkey knew at that moment there was a market for high-quality, flavorful, American- made smoke juice. Now, JCE is the world’s leading manufacturer of the liquid.
“In the past three years, we’ve turned this little seed of an idea, through months of brainstorming, trial, and error, into a growing business with customers in 58 countries around the world,” said Berkey. “With a team that has doubled in the past year and new products on the horizon we feel confident we’ll continue growing, expanding, and improving our offerings.”
As more and more smoking bans take effect nationwide, the demand for e-cigarettes – which do not release any smoke, just an odorless vapor – is growing and the industry is estimated to take in $250 million this year. By most accounts, about one million regular smokers have totally or partially switched to e-cigarettes in the past year.
As a fairly new category, most related products are not yet subject to FDA regulation, but may be soon as the industry continues to grow.
“We’re not only ready for any future regulation, we’re leading the charge,” says Berkey. “All along, we’ve prided ourselves on establishing an industry standard that we feel will set the bar moving forward.”
At the outset of the company’s fourth year, there are several exciting things in the pipeline between now and the end of 2011:
JCE will, for the first time, launch their own line of premium electronic cigarettes featuring their famous, high-quality Johnson Creek Original & Red Oak Smoke Juice.
In response to high customer demand, another product line addition will come in the form of Johnson Creek Brand prefilled cartridges and cartomizers compatible with many popular types of e-cigarette hardware.
In the coming months, customers will also be treated to new flavors. The first scheduled for release is “Tundra,” a complete reinvention of menthol that will satisfy many who prefer a stronger taste.
To celebrate the success of the past three years and look ahead to the next exciting milestones, JCE will host a community open house event on Monday, July 25, 2011 from 3:30-7:00 p.m. The event, which also will serve to showcase the company’s new facility, will be held at the JCE headquarters, 455 E. Industrial Dr., Suite #2, Hartland.
The open house will offer the opportunity for customers, friends and the community to meet the JCE team, tour the facility and learn about the company’s products. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Waukesha County Business Alliance and Hartland Chamber of Commerce, as well as opening remarks and employee of the year award presented by Berkey. Saz’s will provide food for the event and there will, of course, be birthday cake to enjoy. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP at http://news.johnsoncreeksmokejuice.com/rsvp-for-our-grand-opening/.
About Johnson Creek Enterprises
From the vintners of Sonoma Valley to the innovators of Silicon Valley, Johnson Creek Enterprises (JCE) exemplifies what is possible when passionate people set out to make a good product better. Founded in 2008 and headquartered on a 24,000-square foot campus in Hartland, Wis., JCE manufactures the liquid for electronic cigarettes. World-famous Johnson Creek Original & Red Oak Smoke Juice comes in 17 different flavors, each of which is subject to intensive development and testing. The team at Johnson Creek Enterprises is constantly seeking to provide new, high-quality products for e-cigarettes. For more information, visit http://www.johnsoncreeksmokejuice.com.
