Articles by Barbara Harfmann

Hartness Depalletizer

Robotics reduce downtime, handle repetitive tasks

Advances in machine vision, algorithms solve problems
Barbara Harfmann
October 14, 2016
“Danger, danger, Will Robinson” was a phrase that the robot frequently uttered to the youngest member of the Robinson family during the mid-1960s TV show “Lost in Space,” about a family whose spaceship crash lands on an alien planet. Although the robots in today’s beverage plants do not display human emotions, robotic systems increasingly are being used in beverage operations to speed up bottling, packing and distribution efforts.
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Glanbia Nutritionals

Performance beverages show strong sales growth

Natural, clean-label ingredients drive beverage market
Barbara Harfmann
October 10, 2016
When it comes to consumer packaged goods (CPGs), consumers are faced with myriad choices. There are beverages designed to fuel their bodies before a big game, give them energy to power through busy days or to simply help boost immunity.
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Margaritas the No. 1 US cocktail

Mobile apps growing in popularity
Barbara Harfmann
September 15, 2016
When I go out to dinner, typically I order water with lemon because I want to avoid excess calories and save a few dollars. However, when I want to indulge, a traditional Margarita on the rocks is my go-to drink.
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Network Action Logo

1% for the Planet champions environmental causes

Beverage companies team up with environmental nonprofit
Barbara Harfmann
September 15, 2016
With myriad issues impacting the planet, including climate change, dwindling rainforests and food waste, the nonprofit organization 1% for the Planet, in partnership with more than 1,200 member organizations and thousands of nonprofit partners in 40 countries, has been championing environmental change since 2002.
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Alkaline Water Co.

Alkaline Water Co. grows sales 200%

Premium water made through electrolysis
Barbara Harfmann
September 12, 2016
Since starting his first bottled water company in Hawaii in 1980, and subsequently launching more than 50 bottled water plants in seven countries, Steven Nickolas has had a longtime fascination with the hydrating benefits of water.
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Inkos Energy

Convenience stores appeal to the masses

Beverage purchases key driver of convenience stores sales
Barbara Harfmann
September 12, 2016
Forty-four percent of consumers are visiting convenience (C-stores) stores more often — and half say they are visiting significantly more often than they did just two years ago, according to Chicago-based Datassential, which surveyed 1,000 consumers and 150 operators for its June “C-Store Keynote Report.” While visiting C-stores, these consumers also are buying more prepared food and beverages, the report notes.
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Beverage companies embrace digital billboard advertising

Nielsen names Bai as 2016 Breakthrough Innovation winner
Barbara Harfmann
August 15, 2016
One of my favorite singers Billy Joel sings “A New York State of Mind,” and I was in that same frame of mind during a recent business trip to the Big Apple. I hadn’t been to Manhattan in almost 30 years and marveled at how different it looked. Not only was Times Square considerably cleaner, but what stood out, literally, were the towering digital billboards that flashed advertising, promos for upcoming TV shows, events and movies and more.
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BODYARMOR Leadership Team

BODYARMOR hits home run with premium sports drinks

Sports drink brand experiences triple-digit growth
Barbara Harfmann
August 10, 2016
Just as his 3-year-old thoroughbred Outwork thundered down the race track at the Kentucky Derby earlier this year, BODYARMOR Co-Founder and Chairman Mike Repole is in his own race as he aims to beat the competition in the $11.2 billion global sports drinks market.
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zevia energy variety

Steady upward trajectory for energy drinks market

Natural ingredients, flavor innovations fueling new product development
Barbara Harfmann
August 10, 2016
The well-known philosopher Aristotle once said “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.” In today’s everyday life, the energy drinks market might be the new essence of the life as the category — in connection with an uptick in energy shots’ sales — now is the No. 2 performer, second only to bottled water, in convenience stores, according to market research analysts.
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