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Now that the snow has melted and flowers are in bloom, it can only mean one thing: it’s time to get trucks ready for summer. Investing a few hours now can save days of downtime when the scorching temperatures of summer return.

The interpretations of the word “automation” have had many variations with broad scopes of intention. What is automation and what does it mean to beverage operators?

Raise your glass, because National Drink Wine Day is Feb. 18.

Whether it’s commenting on a Facebook post, calls to local representatives or voting for the “best” celebrity dancer, Americans are not shy about sharing their opinions. As it begins a new industry-funded research and promotion program, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is hoping that holds true as it recently requested public comment for the proposed Organic Research, Promotion and Information Order.

In his 2003 hit song “Celebrity,” country crooner Brad Paisley sings about the perils of celebrity and “acting like a fool just ’cause you’re on TV.” Yet, many alcohol and non-alcohol beverage brands recognize that the star power of athletes, musicians and actors often equates not only to deeper consumer connections but also to increased brand recognition that translates into sales.

As urban legends go, the belief that retreaded tires aren’t safe or practical ranks up there with the idea that one can find an honest politician during an election year. The reality is that a retreaded tire produced by a top-quality retreader will perform as well as a comparable new tire and at a lower price.

Which beverage package will consumers buy, under what conditions, when will they buy, how many will they buy and why will a purchase occur? These types of challenging questions confront most sales and marketing managers as they attempt to maximize sales and profit under many variable conditions.

Scrolling through Facebook nowadays can sometimes seem like scrolling through a virtual cookbook, with video recipes appearing in almost every other post. As consumers have gained a greater interest in their health and wellness, a “foodie” lifestyle also has gained traction in the United States. With this, food- and beverage-inspired holidays have exploded whether it’s National Green Juice Day Day (Jan. 26) or World Water Day (March 22), inspiring clever marketing and increased consumption.