Strength is one of the four components considered when formulating a SWOT analysis. Strengths are classified as internal factors as they affect the company directly. The strengths of Oakhurst farm are as follows: A great reputation in the market as well as in the industry, a great research and management team, the farm’s own nursery, efficient distribution and unique selling points, great location and geographical terrain, a beneficial skills development centre, and the advantage of production during Europe’s off season.
Oakhurst’s good reputation, both nationally and internationally, will benefit them greatly when it comes to the selling of their extra virgin olive oil and Kalamata olives. The farm has taken part in several competitions, namely the Annual Marco Zichella-Oliomio competition and the Armonia competition. The Marco Zichella-Oliomio competition was held in Stellenbosch and numerous olive farms participated nationwide. In the competition, Oakhurst was awarded first place for its olives and olive oil. The Armonia competition took place in Australia where South Africa, Australia and New Zealand competed against one another. In total, 97 different farms entered their olive oil and Oakhurst farm was presented with a top ten position. The international and nation awards received have helped create a bigger and stronger demand for Oakhurst’s olives and olive oil, and has made marketing easier.
Oakhurst farm also pride themselves on only producing the finest quality olive oil and Kalamata olives, which are well priced compared to other olive farms. The olives are hand picked ensuring only the top quality fruit is used for processing. Oakhurst also ensures that they distribute efficiently, supplying their olives and olive oil nation wide to countless deli stores and Spars from the Gauteng region down to the Western Cape. The farm also makes use of unique selling points by making their products available at numerous
Bibliography: • http://www.businessballs.com/swotanalysisfreetemplate.htm • http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2549:olive-oil&catid=45:economynews&Itemid=114 • http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/tag/olive-farming • http://www.scribd.com/doc/55597150/Olive-Plantation-Business-Plan-Pakistan • http://www.olivessouthafrica.com/