Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages group has announced several management changes that move three of its beverage business units closer to a consolidated functional structure in North America. These changes, which go into effect on 15 December 2003, will position the Americas Beverages group to better capitalise on its sales, marketing, manufacturing, supply chain and distribution expertise.
The company says that new synergies will be created, as well as business and marketplace alignment, throughout three previously autonomous enterprises. Cadbury Schweppes Bebidas Mexico will continue to operate independently within the Americas Beverages structure.
"Our goal is to create a premier beverage marketing and sales organisation that capitalises on the terrific brand portfolios managed by the Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Snapple and Mott's organisations," said Gilbert M Cassagne, Americas Beverages president and chief executive officer.
"We are designing an organisation that will continue to be competitive, grow our beverage business and develop new products that meet the desires of our bottlers, distributors, retailers and consumers. We are committed to building an organisation that makes it easy for consumers to prefer our brands, and makes it convenient and profitable for retailers to stock and sell them."
The changes help move the Americas Beverages business closer to an "integrated and fully functional design," said Cassagne. He went on to explain that restructuring will continue for three to six months. The Americas Beverages regional organisation will continue to operate out of four primary locations in Mexico, Canada, Texas and the Northeast. A previously announced northeastern business consolidation of the Snapple and Mott's offices will take place in the near future at a site yet to be finalised.
"Properly structuring our beverage business in North America is critical to meeting our future growth goals," said Cassagne. "We are committed to doing that which is necessary to position our North American beverage business to remain competitive in the future."