This week, Heineken prepares to expand within the Swiss beer
market, and SABMiller and Molson Coors begin to finalise
integrations plan for their US joint venture.
The Alcohol industry remains divided over calls by the UK arm of
Diageo for the country's government to introduce mandatory health
warnings for pregnant women on drinks packaging.
Coca-Cola has today finalised details of its ready-to-drink (RTD)
coffee joint venture with Italy-based Illycaffè in a bid to further
diversify its non-carbonated portfolio of brands.
This week, Red Bull launches a new natural cola brand as a first
step away from energy drink production, Diageo receives a setback
in its vodka expansion plans and a US-based vodka manufacturer
launches a new bottle with a built in...
PepsiCo says that its hopes to jump-start its manufacturing
presence in the high growth soft drink markets of Eastern Europe
and Siberia with the acquisition of local group Sobol.
Diageo and Heineken are to expand their cooperation within the
South African market to tap into growing demand for premium beers,
ciders and ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages.
Heineken says it hopes to consolidate its position within the high
growth Romanian beer and mineral water market by acquiring
Transylvania-based brewer Bere Mures for an as yet undisclosed fee.
This week, Diageo's Korean operations receive a boost, PepsiCo may
look to improve ingredient sourcing for its Indian operations, and
Cott hopes to maintain shelf space at Wal-Mart's US stores.
This week, Diageo posts half-year profit improvements thanks to
Guinness and spirits, Grolsch continues to struggle with the UK
premium lager market, and P&G reportedly hikes prices for its
coffee brands.
Coca-Cola posted a 20 per cent improvement in operating revenues,
amounting to $28.8bn during the full fiscal year as the company
harnessed its international presence to drive growth in both its
carbonated and non-carbonated brands.
Diageo will not move for V&S' Absolut brand, after announcing
this week that it will buy into a joint venture with a
Netherlands-based premium vodka maker instead.
Coca-Cola will acquire a 40 per cent stake in US-based organic
beverage group Honest Tea, as part of an ongoing drive to focus on
non-carbonated alternatives for its brands.
The Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCH) has announced plans
to cut its annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 20 per cent by
the end of next year, with a new production strategy.
Diageo is to expand its presence within the high growth US market
for premium wines with the acquisition of national producer
Rosenblum Cellars for $105m (€71m).
PepsiCo is teaming up with the Earth Institute and the H2O Africa
Foundation in a bid to encourage sustainable use of non-industrial
water supplies in developing countries.
In the latest briefs, Heineken steps up its presence in Algeria,
The C&C Group continues to be hit by a weak UK cider market,
and Foster's goes brand mad by extending an exclusive deal to push
Corona Extra in Australia.
The board of brewer Scottish & Newcastle has today rejected yet
another attempt by Carlsberg and Heineken to jointly acquire its
operations with an improved 780 pence per share bid, though it may
yet be forced to sell.
This week, Heineken goes shopping in Belarus; Coca-Cola remains
tip-lipped on Honest Beverages deal; and a US energy drink brand
steps up its distribution in the country.
Molson Coors and Mexican-based brewer Grupo Modelo have formed a
new joint venture to tap growing consumer appetite in Canada
for imported beer brands.
In this week's briefs, Coca-Cola Enterprises lifts sale
expectations for the year ahead, the Absolut vodka brand will go
the highest bidder at an upcoming auction, and Pepsi consolidates
its bottling presence in the US.
Carlsberg and Heineken will stand by a rejected joint-offer made
last month for British-based rival Scottish and Newcastle
(S&N), despite recent research suggesting that an improved bid
would likely be accepted by shareholders.
Up to 20 per cent of Scottish & Newcastle's (S&N)
shareholders may be ready to support Carlberg and Heinekin's bid to
buy the UK-based brewer, according to an independent survey.
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA), a major soft drinks producer in Australia
and Asia, has acquired the country's Bluetongue brewery brand to
extend its premium beer focus in a bid to further diversify its
revenue stream.
In the latest news roundup, Anheuser-Busch will continue to step up
pricing in the US, Coca-Cola is considering Indian expansion,
Nestle take a controlling stake in bottled water group Henniez, and
the number could be up for cannabis...
Nestle intends to step up its focus on beverage production with the
opening yesterday of its first research and development centre
dedicated solely to drink brands destined for the food service
industry.
SABMiller warns of problems ahead due to rising cost of raw
materials; Constellation Brands acquires US wine business of
Fortune Brands; and Scottish & Newcastle rejects
sweetened takover offer from Carlsberg and Heineken.
The Coca-Cola Company hopes to meet growing demand for
ready-to-drink coffee products by announcing yesterday that it
will extend an agreement with Italian group Illycaffè to form a
three-way joint venture with one of its bottling...
PepsiCo today announced it will split its
operations into three separate units in a move to better
harness the growth of its snack and beverage businesses.
In this week's round-up Kirin looks to increase pricing for its
beers; Scottish & Newcastle take their battle with Carlsberg to
the courts; and China welcomes the Frappuccino.
Rounding up the beverage business this week: Coca-Cola Enterprises
and Anheuser Busch continue to increase profits against cost
difficulties, while Japanese brewer Asashi takes steps to protect
itself from declines in its native beer...
In what is proving a busy week for the beverage business, Scottish
& Newcastle may be bought out by a consortium of rival brewers,
while profitability is up for soft drink manufacturers the
Coca-Cola Co. and Britvic.
Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG) has lifted its full year operating
profit guidance by about two percentage points to between 10 per
cent and 11 per cent after revenues rose by eight per cent to
$3.7bn (€2.6bn) during the third quarter.
In the latest news round-up, Campari remains in good spirits
despite a decline in soft drinks sales, Czech beer is on the rise
and brewer Heineken is still lost in translation over its Rugby
World Cup sponsorship.
Carlsberg will strengthen its position in Vietnam's burgeoning
economy with its new brewery built in association with a
domestic partner, the company announced this morning.
Pepsi and Unilever are to extend their agreement over distribution
and marketing of the Lipton ready-to-drink tea brand to target a
growing global demand for the products..
In this weeks industry round up, Heineken gets to grip with French
rugby stadiums, German soft drinks firm Bionade shies away from a
potential big money sell off and Royal Grolsch moves to step up its
operations in Kazakhstan.
The environment, corporate governance and workers rights are
transforming the way managers oversee their global manufacturing
operations, as demonstrated in Coca-Cola's second report on its
progress in these areas.
This week' industry round up finds Coca-Cola finalising
distribution for Glaceau, the latest appointments
at Carlsberg, and SABMiller bringing a little taste of
Italy to the Japanese market.
Nestle will expand its dominance in the bottled water market
after today agreeing to the acquisition of a majority share in
Switzerland-based Sources Minérales Henniez.
Diageo today forecast organic operating profit will increase
by nine per cent in the current financial year after posting
strong gains across the majority of its big brands, including
Guinness.
