Learning the ropes of the beverage industry

New products submissions offer opportunity to be entered in monthly poll

February 16, 2015

Yes, I am the rookie here at Beverage Industry, but I have no connection with the 1990 or the 2002 movies of the same name. As we analysts like to classify things, I guess I would be classified as a member of the baby boomers. However, I am the rookie because I recently joined the editorial team here. The two ladies I work with are real Energizer Bunnies and seem to have an abundance of unending energy. They also have something that I seem to sorely lack: a real knowledge of the beverage industry, but I expect that will change.

I also believe that it is entirely possible to teach an old dog new tricks, and I look forward to learning about this industry. My background is in the sciences, particularly environmental science, and I anticipate that my background in mathematics will be quite helpful.

One thing that has stood out to me so far is the huge variety of beverages that are available to the average consumer and all of the things that drinks can accomplish. Also, everyone that I have spoken with or traded emails with has been very enthusiastic and energetic.

I look forward to serving the beverage market. I am responsible for gathering information on new products as well, so do not hesitate to send me such information at bighamr@bnpmedia.com. So send along your exciting new beverages complete with contact information, ingredient statements, distribution information and print-quality images so that I can help share the news about your new products with our readers. And don’t forget to check out our New Product of the Month poll, which is filled with these new beverages. The poll typically goes live around the 5th of the month and offers a great chance to voice your opinion.

Roy D. Bigham has been a managing editor at BNP Media since 2002 for Pollution Engineering and moved to Beverage Industry in 2014. Prior to joining BNP Media, Mr. Bigham worked in a variety of industries. During his career, he has served as a laboratory technician at a research laboratory, managed an electroplating operation and supervised an associated analytical laboratory. For three years, he also oversaw the environmental operations of five domestic and five overseas operations for a major manufacturer in the Detroit area. He then managed a field services department for an environmental analytical laboratory before accepting a position as an environmental engineer for a construction aggregates company.