Coca-Cola
Louis Balat Joseph, a 23-year veteran of the Coca-Cola Company, was named the new CEO of the Bottling Investment Group for Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei. Balat succeeds Barry O’Connell. Balat most recently served as global vice president of World Without Waste, working closely with company and system partners to achieve sustainable packaging goals. Prior to that, he was general manager for Colombia and Ecuador.
The local representative office of Coca-Cola and the country's Ministry of Economy signed a memorandum of understanding to the effect that the local bottler, one of the world's largest Coca-Cola companies, will build a bottling plant in Azerbaijan. The local government said the project will contribute to encouraging investment in other regions of the country, developing the non-oil sector, increasing economic activity, and creating new jobs.
U.K.-based CCEP, which has pledged to switch all of its cars and vans to electric vehicles (EVs), or to ultra-low emission vehicles where EVs are not viable, by 2030, has joined the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative. The company says greenhouse gas emissions from its cars and vans comprise about 17 percent of the company’s total Scope 1 emissions. Only five percent of CCEP’s cars and vans are EVs or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The London-based consumer brand evaluation company ranks Coca-Cola as the strongest brand in the U.S., despite a drop in value, because of its marketing investment, customer familiarity, staff satisfaction, and corporate reputation. Coca-Cola scored 91.7 out of 100 on a brand strength index score, though its brand value decreased 13 percent to $33.2 billion. The beverage giant toppled Disney from the top spot – it fell to fourth – after its brand value decreased nine percent to $51.2 billion. PepsiCo, whose brand strength index score was 88.4. was ninth in the U.S. as its brand value dipped three percent to $18.4 billion.
Nestle
A consortium of buyers led by U.S. private equity firm One Rock Capital has been talking with Nestlé about acquiring the Swiss company’s North American water business. The potential $4 billion deal would include the Poland Spring and Pure Life brands. Nestlé has discussed a possible sale with a number of buyers, including large European rivals, since June. But people familiar with the negotiations said the private equity firm, which is working with other backers, has bid the highest so far. A deal could be ironed out within weeks. If it closes, One Rock is likely to sell off some of the brands immediately to other buyers.
Other Companies
The Manchester-based wholesaler has launched Slow Cow’s (Canada) “Mind Cooler,” a new “anti-energy” relaxation drink, in the U.K. after “huge success” in Canada and Scandinavia. “With the pandemic making us more anxious than ever, it’s great to be able to offer a new product that combats stress and helps create calm and relaxation, without putting our health at risk," says Howard Goldman, owner of Rayburn Trading, a wholesaler of household, toiletries and confectionary. Mind Cooler contains botanical extracts flavored with dragon fruit and citrus to help "calm and focus the mind."
The Chicago-based-start-up’s new Nitro Infused CBD Craft Beverages offer a “rich, silky texture and creamy foam head” – thanks to the nitrogen – coupled with a tinge of CBD. The beverages, pitched as an alternative to alcohol, come in mango, pear, lemon, and blood orange flavors. According to the company, they stimulate focus and help people manage stress and anxiety without a hangover or sugar crash. Each 12-ounce, five-calorie, sugar-free can contains 25 mg of CBD, organic green bean caffeine, and natural fruit extracts. Cruise Beverages are available at retailers and health food stores in Chicago and throughout the Midwest.