Rivera Addresses North America Bottlers, Shares Vision for ‘Moonshot’
December 1, 2020
Franchise bottlers for Coca-Cola’s North America Operating Unit recently met virtually to review innovation and system execution plans for 2021. Those plans will center on growing the base business, relaunching innovation that was disrupted in 2020, and introducing “purposeful” innovation, according to multiple sources who attended...
PepsiCo Executive Calls Decision ‘Confusing’ Given Progress
November 17, 2020
Updated: Bang Energy has cancelled its master distribution deal with PepsiCo without cause, according to a termination letter released by Bang this morning. PepsiCo's SVP of Energy Integration Eric Hanson spoke to BD about the termination in an exclusive interview ...
Stay up to speed on deals including: Coca-Cola European Partners has now signed a binding agreement for the nearly $6.8 billion acquisition of Australia-based Coca-Cola Amatil ...
Canned Water Startup Adopts Edgy Style of Energy, Beer To Create Unique Appeal
November 11, 2020
Liquid Death, the canned water startup with heavy metal branding that promises to “Murder Your Thirst,” is getting traction. BD interviewed Cessario to delve into his unique approach to the bottled water category. While the brand might be easy to dismiss as gimmicky, Cessario is a serious entrepreneur who is looking to take sales not only from PET-packaged bottled waters, but from energy drinks and beer, too. The following has been edited for clarity and space...
CEO Says Efficiency Beats Ownership When It Comes To DSD System
November 2, 2020
As BD has reported on extensively, Keurig Dr Pepper has made a series of moves this year in its direct-store-delivery system that hinted of a broader strategy at play. In June, KDP bought back production and distribution rights for RC Cola, A&W Root Beer, Sunkist, 7Up, Snapple and Big Red from Indiana-based Royal Crown Bottling of Evansville. At about the same time, KDP transferred ...
Coke Partners With Molson Coors for 2021 Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Launch
October 13, 2020
Late last month, Coca-Cola went all in on the fast-growing US hard seltzer category, signing up Molson Coors Beverage to manufacture, market, and distribute Coke’s new Topo Chico hard Seltzer. Meanwhile, PepsiCo’s executives indicated they may remain on the sidelines, at least for the foreseeable future.
Ball, North America’s largest aluminum can maker, estimates that shortages for the package in the US this year will top 10 billion cans, according to a Credit Suisse synopsis of the company’s Oct. 6 investor meeting. More details of what's at stake ...
Talks Acquisition Strategy, Can Shortage, Hard Seltzer Opportunity
October 13, 2020
Until the COVID-19 pandemic, European-based private label and contract manufacturer Refresco had been on an acquisition tear since purchasing Cott’s North American soft drink operations in January of 2018. Deals last year stretched from Arizona to ...
In the Q&A below, Goist discusses in greater detail Refresco’s acquisition outlook. BD also asks about can shortages and the hard seltzer category. But first, some background and context.
Sports Drink to Challenge Gatorade, Bodyarmor With RTD Offering
October 13, 2020
BioSteel, the Canopy Growth-backed upstart looking to break into the US ready-to- drink sports hydration category, will announce today a distribution deal with ...