‘Slam’ Dunk for CCE, Bravo!
Coca-Cola Enterprises,
Atlanta, and Bravo! Foods International Corp., North Palm Beach, Fla., have
signed an exclusive 10-year distribution agreement for CCE to distribute
Bravo!’s Slim Slammers, Pro-Slammers, 3-Musketeers Slammers,
Starburst Slammers and Milky Way Slammers nationwide. The agreement will
cover convenience retail, education channels, vending and small independent
stores.
The companies dropped discussions about CCE acquiring
a majority stake of Bravo!, but part of the distribution deal includes 30
million warrants that have been granted to CCE that, if exercised within
three years, would give the bottler a minority share of the company. BI
Cott buys U.K. business
Cott Corp., Toronto, has
acquired Macaw Soft Drinks in the United Kingdom for approximately $135
million (U.S.). Macaw is the largest privately owned manufacturer of
private label carbonated soft drinks in the United Kingdom. It has six
production lines — four carbonated soft drink, one dilute-to-taste,
and one aseptic — in two manufacturing plants.
Cott says the acquisition significantly expands its
U.K. business and expect the purchase to add approximately $100 million in
annual sales.
“The purchase of Macaw represents a significant
strategic investment in our U.K. business,” said John Sheppard,
president and chief executive officer at Cott Corp. “The additional
production capacity and Macaw’s manufacturing capability in the
fast-growing aseptic beverage segment will allow us to expand the variety
of products and packages we offer and enhance the service we provide to our
customers.” BI
Russia investigates PepsiCo
Allegations have been made
against PepsiCo in Russia that accuse the soft drink company of forbidding
retailers to carry competitors’ products, according to newspaper
reports. Russian officials conducted a similar investigation of Coca-Cola
earlier in the year, but said the company had brought operations into
compliance. BI
Sierra Nevada goes Ultra-Clean
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently joined Sierra Nevada
Brewing Co., Chico, Calif., and officials from three participating
companies to dedicate a 1-megawatt fuel cell power plant that is the
largest commercial high-temperature fuel cell installation in the state and
is classified as an Ultra-Clean technology under California law.
“Like any business, Sierra Nevada was looking
for stable, affordable, reliable power, and they wanted to limit the
environmental impact of their operation,” said Schwarzenegger at the
event. “They found the answer in a hydrogen fuel cell that generates
power on site.”
Designed to create energy without combustion, the
power plant consists of four 250-kilowatt Direct FuelCell power plants from
FuelCell Energy Inc. Its waste heat will be harvested in the form of steam
and used for the brewing process as well as other heating needs. One
megawatt of electricity will supply 100 percent of the brewery’s base
load power requirements, allowing it to not only lower its overall energy
costs but also eliminate air pollutant emissions. When the fuel cells
generate more power than the brewery requires, Sierra Nevada will send
excess electricity back to the grid system and receive credit for a portion
of its generation costs. BI
Grey Goose creates entertainment
Grey Goose Entertainment,
the newly created show-biz division of Grey Goose Vodka, announced its
venture with the Sundance Channel, an original, hour-long television series
called “Iconoclasts,” will premier Nov. 17. Created in
conjunction with Conde Nast Media Group, each episode of the program will
feature two innovators from different fields who will discuss their
passions and creative processes. Participants will include chef Mario
Batali on musician Michael Stipe, fashion designer Tom Ford on artist Jeff
Koons, actor Samuel L. Jackson on basketball player Bill Russell, and
producer Brian Grazer on Viacom Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer Sumner Redstone. BI
Drinks purchases premium wine distributor
Drinks Americas, Wilton,
Conn., signed a letter of intent to acquire an interest in Dancing Bear
Cellars LLC and its affiliated import company, Liquid Assets Group LLC.
Dancing Bear Cellars imports, distributes and bottles fine wines from
California, Italy and other regions from its offices in Florence, New York
and San Francisco.
Eric Munson, founder and managing member of Dancing
Bear Cellars, will be joining Drinks Americas in a senior management
capacity as head of a new division to be called Drinks International Wines.
"Our quality products and distribution network are an excellent fit
with the global brands of Drinks Americas," Munson said. "Our
shared strategic vision results in a dynamic organization focused on
providing our customers the best quality and value products in the
marketplace.” BI
go figure
1.8
Million jobs provided by the U.S. beer industry,
according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association. Its Economic Impact
Study estimates the industry contributes $162 billion to the U.S. economy,
with more than $54 billion in annual wages.
5
Percent increase in alcohol sales in the United
Kingdom, led by wine, between 1999 and 2004, according to Mintel’s
“Drinking Habits in Europe.” During the same period, alcohol
sales dropped 6 percent in France, and 8 percent in Germany.
6.8
Billions of dollars in U.S. tea sales, fueled by
exotic tea blends, according to the Packaged Facts report “The U.S.
Market for Tea and Ready-to-Drink Tea.” The report predicts the
market will reach $10 billion by 2010.
20
The number of products introduced by Coca-Cola Mexico
in one day last month, doubling the size of its portfolio. The new products
are part of three lines, Ciel Dasani, Minute Maid and Spacio Leve.
38
Number of states that have proposed bills on school
nutrition, including limits or bans on soft drinks. Fourteen of those bills
have passed, according to the National Conference on State Legislatures,
and reported by the Atlanta Journal
Constitution.
49
Percent of Americans 18 and older who drink some type
of coffee beverage each day, according to the National Coffee Association
and reported by MSNBC.com. The cafe segment of the specialty coffee market
reached $8.47 billion in 2003.