News Briefs
Coca-Cola Enterprises has begun construction on a 100,000-square-foot distribution center in Lakeland, Fla. The facility will employ about 100 people and is expected to open later this year. It will mainly consist of warehouse and office space, and will serve the company’s Tampa and Orlando bottling plants.
International Wine & Spirits will distribute Antinori’s wines in the United States.
Brands in the agreement include Tignanello, Solaia, Tormaresca, Montenisa,
Haras de Pirque and Antinori California in addition to the Col Solare brand
it already distributes. The company estimates the deal will add $25 million
to $30 million to its annual revenues, and will open a new office in New
York City.
Pepsi has established
a new research center in Shanghai, China, its first outside of the United
States, to develop food and beverage products for Chinese consumers.
InBev is said to be
putting its Rolling Rock brand up for sale, hoping to concentrate instead
on its imported brands Stella Artois, Bass, Brahma and Labatt Blue in the
United States.
Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide recently switched from Coca-Cola to Pepsi-Cola
products. Somewhat surprisingly, the decision was presided over by former
Coca-Cola President and Chief Operating Officer Steven Heyer, who is the
new chief executive at the hotel chain. Under the new agreement, Starwood
will serve Pepsi products at most of its locations, with the exception of
Atlanta, Disney World and the St. Regis chain.
Coors Brewing Co. has
signed a licensing agreement with the Steve & Barry’s apparel
chain. Steve & Barry’s will produce Coors branded apparel and
accessories, including Coors, Coors Light, Killian’s and Keystone
Light, for men and women.
Glacéau,
Whitestone, N.Y., has filed a complaint in New York federal court against
PepsiCo over packaging of SoBe Lifewater, which it says looks too similar
to its Vitaminwater products.