Despite PepsiCo’s considerable work to keep its Blue Cloud alcohol distribution operation separate from its non-alcoholic business, the subsidiary has become a magnet for criticism as it forges new ground in the highly regulated and competitive US alcohol beverage market. In a new interview, Blue Cloud Distribution GM Emiliano Di Vincenzo, and Blue Cloud Chief Legal Officer Randy Liebowitz, said the organization has...

PepsiCo’s Blue Cloud alcohol distribution subsidiary will not acquire Corwin Beverage’s beer distribution business in southwest Washington state, Corwin CEO Keith Richards confirmed to BD. PepsiCo’s recent agreement to buy back Corwin’s Washington-based Pepsi franchise (see Territory Changes & Deals) sparked speculation as to whether PepsiCo would acquire Corwin’s beer business to distribute Hard Mtn Dew and perhaps...

The Beast Unleashed Alcohol Offering to Walk Careful Line, CEO Makes Clear

Monster Beverage executives announced they will use a new in-house non-alcoholic beverage incubator called Monarchy to distribute brands that aren’t yet large enough for partner Coca-Cola’s direct store delivery system. Monarchy will be operated out of...

A collection of recent developments from around the industry to keep you up to speed...

At an annual convention and trade show for beer distributors last week, the National Beer Wholesalers Association warned attendees of what they see as unfair encroachment by PepsiCo’s Blue Cloud Distribution, according to Wall Street analysts who wrote about the meeting. When asked about criticisms leveled at PepsiCo and Blue Cloud, Blue Cloud executives sent BD the following rebuttal, which is reprinted in its entirety...