January 2021 | Beverage Industry Magazine

Cover Feature

2021 Bottler of the Year: Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED

Southeast bottler nearly quadruples in size, embraces team mentality

January 7, 2021

Founded in 1902, Coca-Cola Bottling Co. UNITED has grown to be the second largest privately owned bottler in North America. Under the leadership of its CEO John H. Sherman, the company has nearly quadrupled in size, going from 50,000 customers to 150,000, 20 facilities to 60 production and sales and distributions center and grew its revenue to $3 billion.

Ingredient Spotlight

Antioxidants, superfoods provide functionality for new age beverages

Stressors prompt consumers to seek beverages that body, mind

Sarah Graybill

January 5, 2021

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The functional properties of antioxidants and superfoods are gaining traction lately as consumer interest in health and wellness grows as the result of the pandemic.

Closure Systems International 28mm Twist and Flip closure

Packaging Materials

Innovative closures boost nutrition, sustainability

Caps and closures help beverage brands deliver on goals, promises

Sarah Graybill

January 6, 2021

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As consumers demand nutrition, ease of use and recyclability from their beverages, brands are seeking innovative caps and closures that help preserve functionality and promote sustainability.

Channel Strategies

Omnichannel adoption propels supermarket channel

On-site, digital shopping options help supermarkets thrive

December 29, 2020

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As pandemic conditions prompt many consumers to grocery shop from home, supermarkets have adopted omnichannel platforms to maintain sales. As a result, major players are directing capital expenditures to solutions that drive future growth for the channel.

R&D Feature

Consumers motivated to mitigate stress levels through foods, beverages

Adaptogens, cannabinoids among ingredients beverage-makers employing

Jessica Jacobsen

December 28, 2020

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Although consumers were indicating high stress levels before, the emergence of the pandemic has exacerbated the issue, prompting beverage-makers to turn to a collection of ingredients to help reduce stress hormones.

recyclable and reusable textured glass bottle

Operations

Sustainable supply chain vital to beverage market

Suppliers invest in resources to reduce waste, boost sustainability

Sarah Graybill

January 4, 2021

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The need for reusable packaging is one shared through the entire chain from consumers to brands and manufacturers. As such, creating a sustainable supply chain and maintaining ongoing implementation of reusable packaging solutions is likely to continue.

Category Focus

Functional benefits, coronavirus offer reset for juice, juice drinks

At-home consumers drive double-digit growth in category

Barbara Harfmann

December 23, 2020

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In the past, the high sugar content of juice and juice drinks and its association with breakfast time had the category floundering, Yet, the COVID-19 pandemic and at-home consumers seeking healthful, immune-supporting benefits has led to double-digit growth in juice and juice drinks.

Up Close With

Lifestyle bottled water company takes hydration to the next level

VOSS+ Aquamin uses Icelandic seaweed to create extra-hydrating water

Barbara Harfmann

December 18, 2020

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Recognizing global health-and-wellness trends, VOSS expanded its portfolio to include a new enhanced water lineup: VOSS+ Aquamin, VOSS+ Vitamin D and VOSS+ Collagen. The line gives consumers functionality “beyond hydration.”

R&D Feature

Weight-management motivated by health, not cosmetics

December 21, 2020

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As consumers “take control of their weight,” beverage-makers are employing a diverse group of ingredients such as functional offerings and new age sweeteners.

Packaging Equipment

Demand for can packaging impacts filling, seaming equipment

Jessica Jacobsen

December 22, 2020

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The increased demand for aluminum cans, coupled with diverse portfolios, is prompting original equipment manufacturers to develop can filling and seaming systems that support this fast changeover environment.

Beverage Beat

On-premise, foodservice embrace new dynamics

Digital solutions in-store for restaurants in 2021

Jessica Jacobsen

December 17, 2020

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On-premise and foodservice operators are embracing the new dynamics brought on by the pandemic in order to engage with consumers.

Distribution

Fleet vehicle manufacturers reveal how COVID-19 has impacted supply chain

Companies adjust processes to support safe manufacturing environment

Jeff Cioletti

January 8, 2021

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When COVID-19 shut down many operations across the United States, many wondered what it would mean for their business. Jeff Cioletti checks in with fleet manufacturers to see how they’ve weathered the storm.

Between Drinks

Check value, premiumization rises on-premise

Nearly two-thirds of consumers have increased tip amounts

Barbara Harfmann

December 16, 2020

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Many of us are more than ready to bid adieu to 2020, but experts note the following on-premise trends: check values are higher; wait staff are earning higher tips; and consumers are “treating” themselves to more premium cocktails and spirits.

Last Drop

What you sip your drink from matters

How container size/shape, material impacts a beverage

Sarah Graybill

December 15, 2020

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Whether consumers are drinking directly or pouring into a glass to enjoy, product packaging can affect pour consistency, temperature and even flavor profile.

Operations Perspective

How integrated is the beverage supply chain?

Current economic conditions highlight importance of effective beverage supply chain

John Peter Koss

December 30, 2020

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Beverage producers in all segments must re-evaluate how procedures, practices and methods are coping with some unprecedented operating conditions.

This webinar will focus on a series of ingredients that can be used – today – in functional beverages that deliver hot benefits like cognitive support, joint health, muscle gain, recovery, weight loss and more.

Light-weighting projects provide a tremendous opportunity for organizations to reduce costs and their carbon footprint, however, capturing the data to understand what your can or bottle network can support is difficult.