The May 2016 issue of Beverage Industry includes a cover story on HEINEKEN USA, as well as articles about sports and protein drinks, CPG markets, and consumer trends. Check it out today!
The American folk song “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” that counts down from “99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer, take one down, pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall…” is a popular time-passer during long car rides. But while kids typically sing this ditty, multi-cultural consumers in the United States and around the world are singing the praises and reaching for HEINEKEN USA’s premium lagers and hard ciders like never before.
In the Two of a Kind song “All Over This World,” the singers open with, “All over this world, all over this world; People are alike, but not the same; All over this world.” As more consumers embrace a more globalized world, the United States is seeing an increasing influence from other cultures.
Although many beverage trends come and go, energy has become one of the top functions consumers continue to demand from beverages. And today’s consumers want more than just energy — they want beverages that cater to health-and-wellness trends, and the energy drink category is no exception.
It’s no secret that the beverage industry has evolved during the past decade or so. With new demands from consumers, beverage-makers
have developed new products that provide function, low or no calories and flavor.
With the Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on the horizon, athletes like American gymnast Simone Biles and Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt are on a quest for Olympic Gold on the world’s biggest stage.
My husband drinks a lot of water, particularly because he had a painful kidney stone in 2001. I also have several friends who attest that they immediately start each day, not by consuming a caffeinated beverage, but by drinking a 16.9-ounce bottle of water.
Nearly every beverage brand faces some challenges when reaching out to consumers. For many, educating consumers can be essential to success, especially as craft trends continue to rise. Recently, Tequila Herradura took on the challenge and embarked on its Casa Herradura tour, which brought the Tequila Herradura hacienda to several cities across the country.
Safety, efficiency and sustainability key drivers of beverage equipment
May 16, 2016
Douglas Machine Inc. introduced its Contour Series M-60 Multiwrapper with Automatic Film Splicer, which allows operators to stage clear or print film while the machine is running.
Technological changes in beverage processes, machinery and manufacturing methods constantly are evolving into new or different designs, improved methods and procedures, faster and more flexible configurations, cost-effective projects, and in response to consumer preferences or agency regulations.
Consumers’ demands for sustainability, as well as a societal drive to “go green,” have impacted the beverage industry in many ways. As companies within the beverage market increase their awareness and actively push to make their products and facilities more eco-friendly, suppliers across all areas of the industry have accommodated, and conveyors are no exception.
When it comes to health and wellness, there is no shortage of data and literature for beverage-makers to consider when formulating new products. However, wellness is not reserved only for packaged products in the beverage market.
Traditionally an occasion for much of the truck industry’s news each year, the annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) was as noteworthy this year for its lack of news as it was for the news that did come out of the show.
Although the U.S. Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to eat more fruit, more than half are traditional options, such as bananas, apples, strawberries and oranges. Yet, as the beverage landscape has gotten more complex and exotic fruits have become more mainstream, consumers are experimenting with exotic fruits, including guaraná, lychee, dragon fruit, tamarind, pomegranate and mango for their exotic appeal, natural sweetness and enhanced, functional capabilities, according to ingredient suppliers.
AIDP signs exclusive agreement with NutraEx Food Inc.
May 16, 2016
Ingredion Inc., Westchester, Ill., a provider of ingredient solutions, announced that Health Canada granted approval of its quillaja extract (type 2) as an emulsifying agent for oil-based coloring formulations, unstandardized oil-based flavoring preparations and other unstandardized oil-based ingredients.
Ingredient suppliers to showcase beverage capabilities
May 16, 2016
Hosted by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), “IFT16: Where Science Feeds Innovation” brings food science and technology thought leaders from more than 90 countries representing the most prominent organizations in the global food sector. The annual show will take place July 16-19 at McCormick Place in Chicago.
Antioxidants, prebiotics, probiotics, electrolytes, fiber — whichever attribute it is, consumers have come to expect their beverages to feature a functional aspect. As the macrotrend of better-for-you and functional beverages continues to thrive, more products are being launched that target consumers’ digestive health concerns.
Suppliers throughout the material handling supply chain descended upon Atlanta for MHI’s Modex 2016 tradeshow, which took place April 4-7 at the Georgia World Congress Center. Attendees from various industries, including food and beverage, also were present to learn about the latest trends and innovations that are shaping the supply chain.
The old saying goes that a picture is worth 1,000 words. For beverage-makers, the design of their packages far exceeds that word count as it serves as the first in-person connection to consumers — both new and old.
As the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of PepsiCo Inc., Indra Nooyi serves as a role model for women’s leadership. I’d argue that Nooyi, ranked second on Fortune’s list of “Most Powerful Women,” has done more to smash the notion that women can’t be strong leaders than anyone else in business today.
Quri releases merchandising data from Easter power period
May 16, 2016
Sparkling Ice was the official sponsor of the High School Nation (HSN) Tour, which took place between March 28 and April 29. The HSN Tour is a music-and-arts festival that traveled to 25 high school campuses across the country and provided students with free entertainment, the company says.
Last month, an article by Brigid Sweeney for Crain’s Chicago Business titled “For Meijer, bigger is better,” caught my attention. Not far from my family’s new home, they are closing in on the final stages of completing a Meijer store; so needless to say, my curiosity was more than piqued.