Industry news
Anheuser-Busch InBev announces new CEO
6 may | personnel
Carlos Brito (pictured, left), the CEO of world's biggest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev, is to step down after 15 years at the helm.
Brito, who oversaw a period of massive expansion at A-B InBev including the $103bn purchase in 2016 of rival SABMiller, will relinquish his post at the end of June, the company announced today.
He will be replaced by Michel Doukeris (pictured, right), the head of A-B InBev's North American operations and considered the leading candidate to be Brito's successor.
Details of Brito's future plans after he steps down on 30 June were not disclosed.
The announcement comes eight months after the latest round of speculation on Brito's future. In early September, the brewer declined to comment on reports that a recruitment company had been selected to consider external candidates for the CEO role, with Doukeris touted as the front-runner from within the group.
Main image credit: Anheuser-Busch InBev
6 may | plant-based
Nestlé introduces pea-based milk alternative brand Wunda in Europe
Nestlé have announced the launch of Wunda, a milk-alternative created using yellow peas from France and Belgium.
The newly launched offering is high in fibre and low sugar and fat content. It features calcium and vitamins D, B2 and B12.
The company claims it offers better nutritional value compared to similar plant-based beverages available in the market.
Wunda will be marketed in three varieties including original, unsweetened, and chocolate.
It will be initially launched in France, the Netherlands, and Portugal.
4 may | coffee
Lavazza North America to build first roasting plant in the US
Lavazza North America, part of Italian coffee company Lavazza Group, has started construction works for its first roasting and packing plant in the US.
The new plant is an extension of the Lavazza Professional facility in West Chester, US.
Lavazza’s new plant will add 1,000ft² of additional space to the existing 18,000ft² facility.
Upon completion in October, the new plant will further enhance Lavazza's capabilities to produce roasted and ground coffee in the US.
Lavazza said that the new facility will maintain the same environmental standards and history at the site.
3 may | deals
Asahi Beverages acquires Allpress Espresso in New Zealand
Asahi Beverages has acquired New Zealand-based fresh coffee business Allpress Espresso for an undisclosed sum.
Allpress Espresso, which was established by Michael Allpress in 1989, supplies 1,500 tonnes of coffee beans to boutique cafes and restaurants across the globe.
Allpress also sells its beverages directly to consumers via online and through its cafes in Melbourne and Sydney.
With a workforce of more than 240 people, Allpress Espresso has established its operations in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Singapore.
Asahi Beverages said that it will retain all the employees as well as the management, while founder Michael Allpress will continue his association with the business as an ambassador.
12 april | spirits
Bombay Sapphire launches new RTD variant in the US
Bacardi’s brand Bombay Sapphire has expanded its offerings portfolio with the launch of Bombay Sapphire® & Tonic, a ready-to-drink (RTD) alcoholic beverage.
The company claims that its new variant offers its consumers a balanced gin and tonic beverage in an RTD format.
The new RTD variant offers a combination of vapour-infused London Dry Gin and tonic water.
The new offering will be available across all major retail outlets in the US from May.
Additionally, Bombay Sapphire® & Tonic will be available in a more mindful option called Bombay Sapphire® & Light Tonic, containing only 90kcal in each serving and with zero sugar.
31 march | sustainability
Molson Coors to power UK brewing operations with renewable energy
Molson Coors Beverage Company has become the first major brewer in the UK to produce its beers using 100% renewable energy.
The company, which produces beer brands such as Carling, Coors, and Doom Bar, has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with renewable energy company RWE to supply clean energy from the Tween Bridge wind farm in South Yorkshire to power its operation in the UK.
According to the ten-year PPA, the Tween Bridge wind facility will power the company’s brewing operations in Burton, Tadcaster, Sharps in Cornwall, and the Aspall Cyder House in Suffolk.
Clean energy will also be supplied to the company’s corporate offices, national distribution centre, and national call centre in Cardiff.
In brief
Honest Tea launches new caffeinated RTD Honest Yerba Mate
Honest Tea, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, has expanded its bottled beverage portfolio with the launch of Honest Yerba Mate.
Cocktail brand buzzbox opens new production facility in California, US
Buzzbox, a ready to drink (RTD) cocktail brand, has opened its newly redesigned production facility in Coachella Valley, US. The new 65,000ft² facility will feature packaging equipment for spirit-based RTD cocktails.
Guinness adds new Baltimore-brewed beer to portfolio
Diageo’s brand Guinness has expanded its portfolio with the release of Baltimore-brewed Salt & Lime Ale beer across select cities in the mid-Atlantic region of the US.
KKR invests in Chinese dairy company Adopt A Cow
Investment firm KKR has invested in Chinese direct-to-consumer dairy company Adopt A Cow through a new funding round. The funding round was co-led by KKR and DCP Capital.
Diageo acquires spirits-based RTD brand Loyal 9 Cocktails
British beverage alcohol company Diageo has announced the acquisition of Loyal 9 Cocktails from Sons of Liberty Spirits Company, for an undisclosed sum.
23 march | deals
Pepsi Bottling Ventures concludes acquisition of Pepsi-Cola Roxboro
Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) has closed the acquisition of Pepsi-Cola Roxboro, a franchise bottler based in North Carolina, US.
The financial details of the deal have not been divulged by the companies.
The deal will expand the Pepsi Bottling Ventures distribution and sales footprint in various US counties, including Caswell, Person, Granville, and Orange.
PBV manufactures, sells and distributes Pepsi-Cola beverages in North America with 16 distribution locations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Delaware.
8 march | Deals
Nestlé USA acquires functional water brand Essentia
Nestlé USA has acquired a premium functional water brand called Essentia Water (Essentia) for an undisclosed sum.
Headquartered in Bothell, US, Essentia has been in the ionised alkaline water business for more than 20 years.
Last year, Essentia registered $192m in sales.
The deal is in line with Nestlé’s global water business transformation plan announced in June last year.
Essentia is now part of Nestlé USA’s premium waters portfolio, which also includes Perrier, S.Pellegrino, San Pellegrino, and Acqua Panna.
In brief
Honest Tea launches new caffeinated RTD Honest Yerba Mate
Honest Tea, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company, has expanded its bottled beverage portfolio with the launch of Honest Yerba Mate.
Cocktail brand buzzbox opens new production facility in California, US
Buzzbox, a ready to drink (RTD) cocktail brand, has opened its newly redesigned production facility in Coachella Valley, US. The new 65,000ft² facility will feature packaging equipment for spirit-based RTD cocktails.
Guinness adds new Baltimore-brewed beer to portfolio
Diageo’s brand Guinness has expanded its portfolio with the release of Baltimore-brewed Salt & Lime Ale beer across select cities in the mid-Atlantic region of the US.
KKR invests in Chinese dairy company Adopt A Cow
Investment firm KKR has invested in Chinese direct-to-consumer dairy company Adopt A Cow through a new funding round. The funding round was co-led by KKR and DCP Capital.
Diageo acquires spirits-based RTD brand Loyal 9 Cocktails
British beverage alcohol company Diageo has announced the acquisition of Loyal 9 Cocktails from Sons of Liberty Spirits Company, for an undisclosed sum.
