Sluggish Ham Trade: An Unexpected Positive Trend

In the heart of Tennessee, Allan Benton, a retired dairy farmer, leased his smokehouse to a budding artisan named Benton back in 1973. Benton quickly honed his skills in traditional Appalachian ham-curing craftsmanship, earning him recognition throughout the Smoky Mountains. His success prompted him to ditch his high school guidance counselor gig and dedicate himself solely to curing, striking the perfect balance of art and patience.

Today, Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams manufactures around 18,000 country hams and 50,000 bacon slabs annually. But the growth hasn't taken over like an aggressive snowstorm - it's more of a silent, year-by-year process, just like the aged hams (which spend 14 to 24 months in the smokehouse).

Chefs worldwide swear by Benton's signature smoky flavor. One such chef from the plush Smoky Mountains resort Blackberry Farm incorporated Benton's bacon into his menu, and it quickly charmed the taste buds of chefs across the globe.

Unlike manufacturers who weigh growth against ethical standards like a scale, Benton represents a unique, values-driven leadership. His commitment to craftsmanship, service, and community goes beyond a bottom line. This values-driven approach has been the cornerstone of the company's enduring success. And it shines through, from the warm smiles at the facility to the friendly gestures of sharing extra food.

Darrell Benton, a second-gen leader, shares his father's passion for the brand. As a kid, he'd sit on an old church pew outside, praying for a ham sale. The overseer of Benton's, Darrell is dedicated to preserving the brand's legacy and its cultural roots.

Benton's doesn't rely on processed ingredients or automated machines. Instead, they stick to a simple cure of salt, brown sugar, pepper, and age their meats in carefully controlled environments, mimicking natural cycles. The hams are aged up to 24 months, while bacon gets smoked for a few days. The end result? Complex, nuanced flavors that big-scale industrial methods can't replicate.

Scaling production to meet growing demand while preserving quality is a challenge Benton's faces. Automation might seem like an easy fix, but the team understands that the human touch is crucial for producing top-notch products. So, they've expanded their curing and aging space and onboarded new team members who share their dedication to artisanal excellence.

Transitioning from physician to CEO, Darrell brings his medical background's empathy and care to his role as an executive. He's now focused on strategic planning and business growth to ensure they can expand without losing what makes Benton's hams, bacon, and sausages truly remarkable.

Collaboration has been a game-changer for Benton's. They've partnered with Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Company in Nashville, smoking cocoa beans for their smoked nib brittle. They've also joined forces with High Wire Distilling in Charleston, South Carolina, smoking Jimmy Red corn for their bourbon whiskey. These collaborations have expanded their reach and exposed their products to new markets.

Looking ahead, Darrell's focus remains on preserving the family's legacy while strategically planning for growth. Up next? A trip to Italy and Spain to explore traditional curing techniques and regional specialties. Darrell's vision for Benton's? Consistently do things right, learn, share his passion for exceptional products, and change the world's perception of traditional Appalachian cuisine.

Allan Benton's Smithville smokehouse transformation began in 1973, leased to an ambitious entrepreneur wanting to delve into interior-design of traditional Appalachian ham-curing.
This entrepreneur, Benton, mastered the craft under Allan's guidance, earning recognition in the Smoky Mountains and leaving behind a high school career in guidance counseling to focus solely on ham-curing.
Today, Benton's Smoky Mountain Country Hams produces approximately 18,000 country hams and 50,000 bacon slabs yearly, growing without the rapid pace of an aggressive snowstorm.
The aged hams, spending 14 to 24 months in the smokehouse, represent a silent, year-by-year maturing process, much like Benton's journey into entrepreneurship.
Chefs worldwide reverence Benton's signature smoky flavor, exemplified by a chef at the Smoky Mountains resort Blackberry Farm who integrated Benton's bacon into his menu, captivating chefs worldwide.
Unlike other manufacturers balancing growth against ethical standards, Benton company embodies a values-driven leadership, prioritizing craftsmanship, service, and community over a mere bottom line.
This values-driven approach is the cornerstone of Benton's enduring success, evident in the warm smiles at the facility and friendly gestures of sharing extra food.
Darrell Benton, the second-generation leader, mirrors his father's passion for the brand, having prayed for ham sales as a child and dedicating himself to preserving the family legacy and cultural roots now.
Scaling production to meet increasing demand without compromising quality is a challenge for Benton's, as they uphold manual processes and avoid automation in favor of the humans touch.
To accommodate growth, Benton expanded their curing and aging space and hired dedicated team members who share the same dedication to artisanal excellence.
As a former physician, Darrell brings empathy and care from his medical background to his role as a CEO, focusing on strategic planning and business growth to prevent loss of quality.
Collaborations have been vital to Benton's, partnering with Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Company in Nashville for smoked cocoa beans brittle and High Wire Distilling in Charleston for smoked Jimmy Red corn bourbon whiskey.
These collaborations have expanded Benton's reach, exposing their products to new markets eager for authentic, high-quality food products.
Beyond ham-curing, Darrell's vision encompasses preserving the family legacy while strategically planning for the company's future growth.
In line with his vision, Darrell plans a trip to Italy and Spain to explore traditional curing techniques and regional specialties.
Darrell strives to be consistent, doing things right, sharing his passion for exceptional products, and changing the world's perception of traditional Appalachian cuisine.
Broader career opportunities may arise from this entrepreneurship journey, with leadership and finance playing significant roles in Benton's growth and success.
Small-businesses like Benton's are the backbone of the economy, contributing to job creation and economic stability in the state of Tennessee.
Personal finance becomes increasingly important for members of the Benton family and other entrepreneurs, as they navigate investments for business growth and wealth management.
The housing market in Smithville, Tennessee, sees positive effects from the success of Benton's, as demand for housing increases with the influx of employees and visitors alike.
Real-estate becomes intrinsically connected to the growth of Benton's, as proper housing is essential for attracting and retaining a skilled workforce.
Financial savings play a key role in surviving and thriving, as entrepreneurs juggle debt management while minimizing expenses and maximizing profits.
Lifestyle transforms from a low-key dairy farm to a booming business, necessitating a focus on fashion-and-beauty, lifestyle, and home-improvement aspects, ensuring an attractive and welcoming image.
Home-and-garden interests are piqued by visits to the Benton facilities, as guests observe the meticulous process of ham-curing and the dedication to preserving the American heritage.
Food-and-drink continues to expand, as Benton's products inspire curiosity and creativity in home cooks and culinary enthusiasts alike, fueling a passion for healthy cooking and gourmet ingredients.
Technology plays a vital role in marketing and online visibility for Benton's, as social-media, data-and-cloud-computing, smartphones, and smart home devices seamlessly intertwine with the farm's operations.
The future of transportation boasts electric-vehicles, cars, and even self-driven cars, offering Mercedes-Benz and Tesla opportunities to collaborate with Benton's to introduce exclusive, sustainable travel experiences for their clients.