Starbucks outlines ‘transformation’ plans

Starbucks Coffee Co. announced a series of initiatives at its annual meeting last week designed to help the company compete with new competitors, including the acquisition of The Coffee Equipment Co. and its Clover brewing system, which the company says “delivers the best cup of brewed coffee available anywhere.”

The system is part of Starbucks’ intention to reinvent brewed coffee in stores, including a new brewed coffee blend. The company’s plans also include a new state-of-the-art espresso system that it says provides “the perfect shot every time and helps facilitate the critical connection between barista and customer,” and a new customer loyalty program.

“Eleven weeks ago, I made a personal commitment to every one of our customers and partners (employees) to reaffirm our place as the world’s coffee authority,” Starbucks Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz, said in an announcement. “By embracing our heritage, returning to our core – all things coffee – and our relentless commitment to innovation, we will reignite the emotional connection we have with our customers and transform the Starbucks experience.” Read more about Starbucks' plans

In other news

PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Group buy Russian juice leader
PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Group agreed to buy 75.5 percent of Russian juice company JSC Lebedyansky for $1.4 billion. The deal excludes the company’s baby food and mineral water businesses. Lebedyansky is the world’s sixth-largest juice manufacturer and the largest in Russia. The purchase will be split 75 percent/25 percent by PepsiCo and Pepsi Bottling Group, respectively.

“Russia represents our biggest growth market, and we are making smart investments that further enhance our business there,” says Eric Foss, president and chief executive officer of Pepsi Bottling Group. “Adding Lebedyansky’s strong brands and capable people to the powerful PBG-PepsiCo partnership will enable us to be at the forefront of the continued expansion of the Russian juice category.” Read more on the acquisition.



Brown-Forman CFO retires
Brown-Forman Corp. announced that vice chairman and chief financial officer Phoebe A. Wood will retire from her position at the end of the fiscal year. Wood joined Brown-Forman as chief financial officer in February 2001. Brown-Forman also announced that Donald Berg will become chief financial officer on May 1. He is a 19-year veteran of the company and has served as senior vice president and director of corporate finance since July 2006, working closely with Wood.

“Don has a broad range of financial and operational experience, and has been an active member of our company’s executive committee since 1999, where he has participated in the consideration of the company’s most important strategic, operational and policy topics,” said Paul Varga, Brown-Forman’s chief executive officer. Read more on the new CFO.



Heineken N.V. taps Minnick for supervisory board
Heineken N.V. announced that it will propose to the Annual Meeting of Shareholders on April 17 that Mary Minnick be appointed a member of the supervisory board of Heineken N.V. Minnick is currently a partner in Lion Capital, a U.K.-based venture capital business, and prior to that worked for Coca-Cola Co. for 23 years. Read more on the upcoming proposal.




10th annual Food Safety & Security Summit
More than 1,700 industry professionals gathered in Washington, D.C., from March 17-20 for the 10th Annual Food Safety & Security Summit. Key issues facing the safety and security of the world’s food supply were discussed. Conferences topics ranged from auditing global food safety initiatives to challenges in implementing HACCP to protecting the food supply chain in an act of terrorism. More than 200 companies showed the latest products and services.

“We had a record attendance and all the initial feedback has been extremely positive,” said Scott Wolters, director of tradeshows and conferences, BNP Media. “Attendees really enjoyed the new features, including the poster session area and vendor theaters where exhibitors had an opportunity to present data in their particular area of expertise.” Read more about the event.

Give Natural Spring Water

PurBlu Beverages, Pittsburgh, Pa., developed Give Natural Spring Water as a way for consumers to support charitable causes. For each 20-ounce bottle sold, 10 cents is donated to one of three causes based on the variety of Give. Give Life, with blue on the bottle, supports children in need; Give Hope with pink writing on it donates to breast cancer research; and Give Love features the color green and contributes to environmental causes.Read more information on the products.

Izze Sparkling Peach

Boulder, Colo.-based Izze Beverage Co., a subsidiary of PepsiCo., added Izze Sparkling Peach. With the introduction, Izze also debuted new brighter graphics on its 12-ounce bottle four-pack carrier. See Izze's complete lineup.

Sonu Water

Sonu Beverages LLC, New York City, N.Y., introduced Sonu Water, a line of USDA Organic flavored waters. Enhanced with vitamins and electrolytes, the waters contain 45 calories per 8-ounce serving. The product is available in six flavors — Pomegranate Acai, Blueberry Pear, Lemon Tangerine, Strawberry Cranberry, Mango Peach and Tropical Passion Fruit — and is packaged in 16-ounce PETE bottles. See more about Sonu Water.