The October 2015 issue of Beverage Industry includes a cover story about our Executive of the Year, Seth Goldman of Honest Tea, as well as articles about the bottled water market, Sipp Eco Beverage Company, and organic/natural beverages. Check it out today!
When Seth Goldman co-founded Honest Tea in 1998, he set out to not just develop not-too-sweet, organic beverages, but also a company that exemplifies honesty and integrity throughout its supply chain, product development, packaging and much more.
An extremely competitive beverage landscape didn’t stop Beth Wilson-Parentice from pursuing her passion. From managing a Starbucks in Connecticut, to creating concoctions in her Pennsylvania kitchen, Wilson-Parentice overcame financial, production and distribution hurdles to create her own line of natural, organic sparkling beverages.
Whether it’s the highly trained athlete or the casual runner, more consumers are turning to beverages to support their workout regimens. According to Chicago-based Mintel’s January report “Nutritional and Performance Drinks – US,” dollar sales of these drinks reached $11.5 billion in 2014.
The movement to become closer to one’s food source and consumers craving more healthful food and beverage options have buoyed the growth of the $53.5 billion natural and organic business, according to Rockville, Md.-based Packaged Fact’s July 2014 report titled “Natural and Organic Foods and Beverages in the U.S., 4th Edition.”
Bottled water has come a long way in its lifetime, and today, consumers are choosing this natural, healthy beverage more than ever. Industry experts even speculate that the category could grow larger than the carbonated soft drink (CSD) category by the end of the decade.
Fall is here, and that means consumers are enjoying football tailgating parties — both professional and collegiate — onsite at the big game or in bars. Although consumption of adult beverages can be fun, it is imperative that this activity be executed in a responsible manner.
On a pit-stop at a gas station not too long ago, the Dunkin’ Donuts sign across the street glowed as it sang to me, “Pumpkin is back.” Nothing says fall to me like my large Dunkin’ coffee with pumpkin spice, cream and sugar (whether it needs the cream and sugar, I don’t know, but I’m afraid to try it without).
If you want to get David McNamer energized, start talking about customer service. The manufacturing manager for G.C. Evans, a manufacturer of cooling, heating and pasteurizing equipment, notes that although customer service was a key part of the company’s business model, it had experienced challenges as its relationships with major bottlers had deteriorated, largely due to inattentive customer service.
Warehouse equipment focuses on safety, sustainability, product quality
October 16, 2015
NORD Gear Corp. offers its Screw Conveyor Package, a compact, reliable and cost-effective alternative to traditional screw conveyor drives, the company says.
In Styx’s 1983 hit “Mr. Roboto,” the band sings, “Thank you very much, Mr. Roboto; For doing the jobs that nobody wants to.” Little did the band know, robots eventually would take on an immense amount of jobs that warehouse workers find repetitive and boring.
The ever-increasing number of SKUs within the beverage industry has been one obstacle beverage warehouse operators have been facing the past several years. However, the proven benefits of, and further innovations to, voice-picking technology has made it a staple in many beverage distribution centers today.
A common expression in marketing is “Sell the sizzle, not the steak.” Although the consumer might need food for sustenance, it’s the sound of the sizzle that makes them want a steak instead of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
In the 1959 film “Some Like It Hot,” the comedic stylings of Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon offer an entertaining twist about two musicians who witness the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre and dress in drag to avoid mafia gangsters.
Quillaja-based foaming ingredient available for several beverage applications
October 16, 2015
Sustainably sourced and extracted, Naturex offers UPtaia, a natural foaming agent. The quillaia-based ingredient offers manufacturers the opportunity to create frothy beverages with the natural labeling consumers love while being easy to use, the company says.
ColinKurtis Advertising, Rockford, Ill., announced the completion of a multi-year strategic marketing plan for Carol Stream, Ill.-based Prinova, a supplier of high-quality ingredients, flavors and value-added nutrient fortification products.
Fiji Water, Dos Equis and Celestial Seasonings among those releasing new packaging
October 16, 2015
Celestial Seasonings, a brand of The Hain Celestial Group Inc., unveiled its new brand look and feel, including redesigned packaging highlighting the brand’s heritage with a new, contemporary logo.
As beverage manufacturers and contract packaging companies see more SKUs entering the warehouse, operations professionals are tasked with ensuring that all processes are operating efficiently and effectively.
Research shows consumers consume beverages while watching sports
October 16, 2015
Shock Top announced that it teamed up with Indiegogo and state water organizations to respond to the drought situation in California with Shock the Drought, a program to identify, fund and distribute water-saving innovations that can help reduce water usage in the state.
When summer was winding down, my family and I headed up north for a friend’s wedding in Door County, Wis. Aside from my sister getting a kick out of the goats grazing on the roof of Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant & Butik, we also got a chance to try Island Orchard Cider, a French-style hard cider that is produced in Ellison Bay, Wis.