The product was initially chosen as an added value addition to complement its 500ml cordial bottles, sold in twin packs for its 750ml sparkling pressé for Waitrose.
Opens up value-add opportunities
Amanda Grabham, marketing director, Soft Drinks, SHS Drinks, told BeverageDaily the 50ml bottle has opened up a range of opportunities to the company as an addition to its existing range.
“The PET bottles were developed, tooled, molded and finished by M&H Plastics at its Beccles plant, in the UK, working closely with SHS Group’s fillers and marketing department,” she said.
“SHS found as the company was now using lighter plastic for the bottles, more could be put on pallets, reducing distribution and logistics costs.
“An added benefit to using plastic for this product has meant new markets are opening up in foodservice, transport markets (especially aviation) and on-the-go.”
Bottlegreen was created by husband and wife team Kit and Shireen Morris in 1989, making soft drinks. They planted vines to make elderflower wine, but as they waited for them to mature, they started producing elderflower cordial instead. They made this in their kitchen sink and sold it at farmers' markets and local delicatessens.
The balance and blend of flavor was so popular they changed their plans and turned their sights on making Bottlegreen products. The first supermarket to sell Bottlegreen in 1990 was Waitrose.
EU Commission approves RPC acquisition of BPI
RPC Group acquired M&H (Maynard & Harris Group) for £103.5m ($136.2m) in 2014.
The firm employs about 700 staff across its principal manufacturing site in Beccles and its US manufacturing facility in Virginia.
RPC Group found out today (July 4) the European Commission has approved its acquisition of British Polythene Industries (BPI) in the UK under the EU Merger Regulation.
BPI manufactures flexible plastic products, namely polythene film, bags and sacks.
The transaction was examined under the simplified merger review procedure under the case number M.8079.