Coca-Cola Co. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Neville Isdell announced the company plans to purchase and deploy 100,000 climate friendly CO2 coolers by the end of 2010, and issued a “call to action” for other beverage companies to invest in the technology during a speech in Beijing last week. Isdell spoke as part of the Greenpeace China Business Lecture Series, and said the new coolers, which use compressed carbon dioxide rather than hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), are more energy efficient than those cooled with HFC, and CO2 is less potent than HFC.

The company already had invested in some CO2 equipment — all of the refrigeration equipment that will be used by Coca-Cola during this summer’s Olympic Games in Beijing will use CO2 technology. The 2010 rollout will be “the largest deployment of this new technology by anyone, by a very, very long shot,” Isdell said.

But, he added, CO2 coolers are cost-prohibitive at this time, costing about 25 percent more than current equipment. “It’s very difficult for companies like ours to buy more climate-friendly coolers, until the price comes down,” Isdell said. “But the price won’t come down until other companies other than us buy more.”

“We are willing to invest in these coolers — the 100,000 — at a significant premium price,” he said. “But it only really acts, and is successful, if it triggers the market as a whole; if it is transformational and it creates a supply base with the scale necessary to make CO2 refrigeration more affordable in the long run.”

In calling upon other companies to make the move to more eco-friendly refrigeration equipment, Isdell drew comparisons to the auto industry, in which the corporations that invested in hybrid technology are now reaping the rewards.

“Once we send a clear signal to our suppliers that we are moving in that direction, they will have the certainty that they need to invest in new production facilities to meet the demand that we are creating,” Isdell said. Read more of Isdell's speech

Horizon Wine & Spirits, Nashville, is planning to build a new 141,000-square-foot headquarters, with new technology and an expanded warehouse space.

The new facility is scheduled to open in August. It will house 20,000 square feet of office space and a 121,000-square-foot climate-controlled warehouse, effectively doubling the company’s capacity. The plans also call for new distribution software and a “groundbreaking” materials-handling system.

Horizon President and Chief Executive Officer Tommy Bernard said the facility will streamline its delivery timeframe and reduce out-of-stocks.

Two years ago, Horizon implemented an InforGlobal Solutions enterprise resource planning (ERP) software system that provides real-time data about inventory. The new facility will be fitted with a W&H Systems materials handling system that will maximize the earlier software investment. The materials handling system incorporates multi-level storage configurations.

“This system is the crown jewel of the new facility,” Bernard said. “It will reduce the time spent traveling around the warehouse to fulfill an order by 75 percent.” Read more about Horizon.

Nestlé USA and Jamba Juice announced they have collaborated on a line of Jamba ready-to-drink beverages "boosted" with extra nutrients. The RTD products initially will be available in California, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Washington and Colorado.

The line includes three Jamba Smoothies — Strawberries Wild with Energy Boost, Orange Dream Machine with Immunity and Banana Berry with Heart Healthy Boost; and three Jamba Juicies — Orange Strawberry Banana with Protein Boost, Mango Orange Peach with Fiber Boost and Very Berry with Calcium Boost.

"This is the first step in our strong partnership with Nestlé,” said Paul Coletta, senior vice president, marketing and brand development at Jamba. "Our teams continue to work together on future product extensions that will build and drive the synergy of Jamba retail and ready-to-drink."

"The response from accounts has been outstanding," said Steve Presley, vice president, general manager premium ready-to-drink, Nestlé Beverage Division. "They recognize the value and growth potential that Jamba RTD brings to the super premium juice category."

Nutrisoda-maker Ardea Beverage Co., Minneapolis, has tapped Richard Wilson as president and general manager. Wilson has held positions within Ardea parent company PepsiAmericas since 2005, most recently leading the Southern division. Prior to that, he worked for Glazer’s Wholesale Drug and Seagram & Sons. Wilson replaces Bill Evans who served as a transitional president following the departure of Founder and President Joe Heron last fall.

Noble Juices, Winter Haven, Fla., unveiled a plant-based eco-friendly bottle and two new flavors. The bottle is made from PLA plastic, a plant-based product designed to be recyclable and compostable. The new Noble Juice flavors are Blood Orange Juice and Tangerine Cranberry. Blood Orange Juice contains antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients, and has a tangy/tart flavor. Tangerine Cranberry combines tangerines and cranberries. Find out more about Noble Juices.

Simply Orange Juice Co. announced the addition of two new varieties to its line: Simply Orange with Mango and Simply Orange with Pineapple. Both additions are neither concentrated nor sweetened, and are made with natural ingredients. The products will be packaged in 59-ounce clear containers. Find out more about Simply Orange.

Famous Mineral Water Co. released a line of four Crazy Waters. The products have high mineral content and are available in 1-liter PET bottles, with glass bottles to hit shelves in the next few months. The four Crazy Waters are No.1, Refreshing Drinking Water; No. 2, Natural Mineral Water Low Mineral Content; No. 3 Natural Mineral Water Deep Well; and No. 4, Natural Mineral Water High Mineral Content. Read more about Crazy Water.