Niagara Bottling LLC, Ontario, Calif. announced plans to build a new $56 million, 469,000-square-foot manufacturing and bottling plant in the River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville, Ind., the company says. In addition, the current Plainfield operation will undergo a $6.1 million expansion, bringing a total investment of $62 million in southern Indiana, states the Indiana Economic Development Council (IEDC).

Niagara Bottling LLC, Ontario, Calif., acquired the bottled water business formerly owned and operated by First Quality Water & Beverage LLC of Lock Haven, Pa. First Quality produced private label and Pureau brand bottled water.

Portland, Ore.-based Eastside Distilling Inc., a producer of hand-crafted spirits, announced the acquisition of MotherLode Craft Distillery, also based in Portland, Ore., and a provider of bottling services and production support to craft distilleries. Since its founding in 2014 by Allen Barteld, the mission of MotherLode has been to enable craft distillers to increase their production and extend their product lines, reducing cost and increasing efficiency, thereby freeing them to focus on their craft, the company says. The typical MotherLode customer is a distillery of small batch, hand-crafted spirits, or a premium craft spirit sold as a private label, it adds.

Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. announced its intention to acquire Leuven, Belgium-based Anheuser-Busch InBev’s (AB InBev) stake in Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) following the closing of the AB InBev combination with SABMiller.

In 1948, Fred Kalil and his father opened the doors to Kalil Bottling Co. in Tucson, Ariz. The father-son team ran the company until it was handed down to Fred Kalil’s two sons, George and John, who now lead the bottling company and employ fourth-generation family members — making it not only a business, but a family tradition. 

Upon entering the century-old F.X. Matt Brewing Co. offices in Utica, N.Y., visitors are greeted with Victorian-era furnishings, including an old bank teller counter with a slanted bottom to accommodate women’s hoop skirts. Historic furnishings like this continue throughout the 400,000-square-foot campus. However, despite its historical appearance, the facility offers many modern touches.

Midwest Custom Bottling, producer of RumChata, released Holly Nog spiked eggnog made with wine and Wisconsin dairy cream.

Denver-based Gates Corp. released a new bottling industry infographic that highlights key statistics for beverage managers. Within the infographic, the company has incorporated quick-hit content about preventive maintenance, reducing downtime, and increasing energy savings.