Our October 2018 cover story features the 2018 Wholesaler of the Year: Hand Family Companies. And read about the latest distribution trends in our 2018 State of the Beverage Fleet Survey.
Also this month, the latest market facts and figures on bottled water, the increase in robot productivity, and the most noteworthy new products and packaging!
Check back throughout the month for additional content.
Now in operation for nearly 70 years, the Hand Family Companies, Clarksville, Tenn., has grown from humble beginnings to becoming a multi-state beer and beverage distributor operating seven plants in three states, Tennessee, Kentucky and Illinois.
When it comes to grocery retailing, analysts are seeing how consumers’ desire for better-for-you food and beverages have contributed to the growth of the natural and organic retail channel.
Just as spectators will ask how low can you go when participants are facing off in a limbo challenge, consumers are asking the same of food and beverage manufacturers. However, these requests have spread beyond traditional low-calorie refreshment to also include sports nutrition formulations.
As consumer preferences continue to trend toward better-for-you options, industry experts are seeing the connection between consumers wanting healthy-halo beverages and the continued growth of bottled water sales.
The results of Beverage Industry’s annual Fleet Study are in and they reflect the increasing diversification of fleet equipment, fuel and the best day-to-day practices in modern delivery operations.
To better handle today’s SKU proliferation, warehouse distributors that implement warehouse management systems (WMS) and solutions like voice picking technologies, can save time, money and valuable resources to allocate to other parts of the business, experts say.
As consumer preferences lean toward environmentally friendly products, brand owners and packaging material suppliers must adapt and manufacture beverages that utilize recyclable materials.
The quest to perfect and expand on traditional offerings continues to evolve as witnessed by national cocktail competitions, happy hours and step-by-step recipes on websites and cocktail chatbots, which are furthering consumers’ fascination and enjoyment of cocktails at home and on-premise.
The market research firm reported in its 2018 Beverage Consumer Trend Report that more consumers today than two years ago indicate that non-alcohol beverages are “very important” when deciding where to dine.
Upslope Brewing Co. hosted its fourth annual Backcountry Taproom experience, Abbeville Press released Tea Sommelier: A Step-by-Step Guide and Mama Lion introduced a Moët & Chandon Champagne vending machine.
When the “mid-week slump” hits, one of my favorite activities is meeting with friends for happy hour (where we can find the best deal, of course) and imbibe with premium cocktails at a lower price.
Smirnoff Vodka launches a new media campaign, PepisCo celebrates this football season, Spotify launches a new podcast in partnership with New Amsterdam Vodka, Virgil's Handcrafted Sodas found its genius and The NPCF releases its craft beer.
DuPont Nutrition & Health is expanding its research and development (R&D) team by creating a “clean label hub” at the Brabrand facility, while TIC Gums has added 13 Non-GMO Project Verified seals to ingredients in their existing portfolio.
Organized as the “House of Krones,” the manufacturer highlighted solutions for process technology, bottling and packaging equipment, intralogistics, digitalization and the entire lifecycle services of products.
Six-step system prevents containments, ensures product freshness
October 17, 2018
Parker Hannifin Manufacturing Ltd. offers the Parker PCO2, a carbon dioxide incident protection system that helps preserve the carbonation in carbonated soft drinks (CSDs).
Neon-like illumination useful for signage, tumblers
October 17, 2018
Luminated Glazings LLC offers a patent-pending illuminated label technology to help the spirits and bottled water industries stand out on crowded shelves.
Innopouch IM Focus delivers output of 100 pouches a minute
October 17, 2018
KHS USA is expanding its portfolio with the Innopouch IM Focus, which provides a horizontal form/fill/seal pouching machine especially for the packaging of dry products in single-serve formats.
Spartan Parts, a new subsidiary of Fogg Filler Co., provides custom parts design and fabrication for commercial filling equipment including capper replacements and upgrades.
North American iLab and Customer Experience center debuts at Labelexpo Americas
October 17, 2018
At Labelexpo Americas, Avery Dennison continued to build on its “Pioneering Change” theme by showcasing its continued commitment to helping label converters remain ahead of trends so they can grow their businesses and bring creative, sustainable solutions to customers.
Fast, simple tape threading Dekka, a product brand of ProMach, introduced the re-engineered Dekka SE tape head for case formers, case erectors and case sealers.
Parrot-Beak clamping adjusts to handle varying weights
October 17, 2018
Designed to handle all rimmed steel, fiber and plastic drums weighing as much as 1,000 pounds, the hand truck has two 10-inch main wheels with full roller bearings, and two 4-inch swivel casters to support the drum while moving through plants and warehouses.
The Juice Products Association has launched SipSmarter.org, a website dedicated to educating consumers about the science-backed health and nutritional benefits of 100 percent juice.
Northlake, Texas-based Farmer Bros. Co., a national coffee roaster, wholesaler and distributor of coffee, tea and culinary products, announced that it has been awarded LEED Silver certification for its recently completed headquarter office project.
Atlanta-based Focus Brands Inc. (FBI) announced the successful completion of its previously announced tender offer for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Jamba Inc. Jamba is now a wholly owned subsidiary of FBI.
Welch’s, Concord, Mass., has appointed Trevor Bynum as president and chief executive officer, effective Oct. 1. Bynum succeeds Brad Irwin, who retired after 10 years leading the organization.