Coca-Cola
Telangana To Host HCCB’s 17th Production Plant In India
Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages plans to spend 1,000 crore ($130 million) on a production facility in Telangana, its second in the state and 17th in India. The first phase, representing 60 percent of the investment, should be ready by end-2023, and the remainder will take up to five years. Overall, the new plant will double the company’s capacity in Telangana and will create some 300 direct roles, with indirect job opportunities too. Over half of the workforce will be women.
Monster
Monster asks court to enforce $175 mln award against Bang Energy maker
A California Federal Court awarded $175 million to Monster Energy Co and orange beverage brand Orange Bang Inc. against Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VPX) for trademark violation, concluding that VPX Sports had breached a settlement reached over a decade ago with Orange Bang when it used the name "Bang" outside of the limits of the deal. The court also ordered VPX to pay Monster and Orange Bang royalties on sales of Bang-branded drinks if it sells them in the U.S. beyond certain limited venues. It must also cease using the Bang name completely in 12 states. The decision came after Orange Bang sued VPX in 2009, a lawsuit that was settled in 2010. When VPX launched "Bang Energy RTD" in 2015 as a pre-exercise energy drink containing "Super Creatine", Orange Bang and Monster, which had accused VPX of making false advertising claims for "Super Creatine," teamed up. VPX then filed a lawsuit in 2020 that alleged Monster had "weaponized" the 2010 settlement and asked the court to rule that it had not violated Orange Bang's trademark.
Nestle
SanPellegrino Unveils New Mixers
Nestlé Waters’ SanPellegrino brand has brought two new premium mixers to the U.K. market. The new mixers, sold in glass bottles, are Ginger Beer and Tastefully Light Tonic, adding to the existing lineup: Tonica Citrus, Tonica Oakwood, Limonata and Aranciata. UK brand manager Michela Tasso said that early evening consumption between 5:00pm and 10:00pm, what is called the aperitivo moment in Italy, remains a strong growth driver.
Other Companies
AriZona Beverages Launches RTD Red Tea In The U.S.
South Africa’s national drink, Red Tea (Rooibos) has been given a boost in the U.S. market, thanks to AriZona Beverages. It’s naturally caffeine free and contains 70 calories per serving and real sugar. Rooibos is based on needles from a bush indigenous to South Africa, producing a mild tea with deep red hues. AriZona has partnered with The Long Walk to Freedom Foundation to celebrate the South African heritage. A share of sales revenue will go to the Nelson Mandela Education program, which focuses on child literacy. The product comes singly in 20-ounce tall boys at outlets including convenience stores, gas stations, bodegas and delis, as well in 12-packs direct-to-consumer on DrinkAriZona.com.
Ribena And Lucozade Brands In Nigeria Now Under New Management
Suntory Beverage & Food Asia Pacific (SBFAP) has agreed to sell Suntory Beverage & Food Nigeria (SBFN) to Africa FMCG Distribution Limited (AFDL), subject to approvals, for around $14 million. The deal is expected to close in Q2. The deal will include the Ribena and Lucozade brands in the country. AFDL is owned by Chanrai Summit Group. ADL’s CEO, Sherring Thekekkara, said: “leveraging experience, streamlining supply chain, enhancing manufacturing, consistent innovation and improving seamless route to market etc will ensure that the Nigerian consumer continues to enjoy their favorite brands “Lucozade” and “Ribena” even more passionately.” Suntory Beverage & Food Limited partially acquired the brands in 2016, and then fully when GlaxoSmithKline’s Board approved the offer to sell its beverage bottling and distribution business.
Pro Footballer’s GOAT Fuel Brand Now Has Over 7,500 Retail Accounts
San Francisco 49er Jerry Rice’s energy drink, GOAT Fuel, is continuing to grow. The brand, backed by Anheuser-Bus, has secured over 7,500 accounts in retail. His daughter, Jaqui Rice Gold, and son-in-law, Trevion Gold, created and developed the product. Rice Gold claims it’s “the only mainstream energy drink brand on the market right now utilizing cordyceps mushrooms”, which “helps our bodies utilize oxygen by improving your VO2 max.” She also claims it’s an anti-inflammatory and “prevents any energy drink jitters or crash.” GOAT Fuel sold over half its inventory 40 days after its 2020 launch and has moved from an e-commerce focus to accounts like Central Market and 24 Hour Fitness in America, with Target recently added and Walmart coming this summer. Two key drivers for the brand are a its three-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers as the official energy drink and the Anheuser-Busch distribution deal. It has also been developing a direct store delivery network and expects this year and next to match its 250 percent growth in 2021.
ZOA Energy Launches 12-Ounce Can Line
Energy drink brand ZOA Energy is expanding with a range of slim 12-ounce cans, aimed at appealing to a wider audience and leveraging new distribution at Target and Costco. Michael Pengue, CEO, said the new can is designed to move with the consumer through the day. Each can contains 120mg of natural caffeine from green tea extract and green coffee, and the brand says it’s the only healthy energy drink that blends turmeric and camu camu, which is high in vitamin C, together with B vitamins. The drink is formulated to boost immunity and focus, as well as energy levels. The new cans are available on Amazon and ZOAEnergy.com, and in retail stores including Costco and almost 500 Target stores. The flavor lineup is Super Berry, White Peach, Wild Orange, Pineapple Coconut and Tropical Punch.
Pomegranate Hibiscus Joins The Happi Range
Michigan-based Happi has introduced Pomegranate Hibiscus, made from organic pomegranate, lemon, agave nectar and hibiscus, adding to its existing lineup - Lemon Elderflower and Raspberry Honeysuckle. The THC-infused drinks contain no more than 25 calories in each 8.4-ounce can. The company claims they offer a light buzz, like alcohol, but without the hangover. Pomegranate Hibiscus will be sold through select provisioning centers, with more being added during the year.
UK’s Fever-Tree Tonic Launches Seasonal Variant For Summer
Fever-Tree has introduced a limited-edition summer tonic water variant, passionfruit and lime. It contains Ecuadorian yellow passionfruit, Tahitian lime and quinine, is free from artificial flavors and sweeteners, and 18 calories per 100ml. Senior innovation manager, Georgina Denny, said gin and tonic drinkers are increasingly experimental at home and Fever-Tree wanted to offer something new for the summer, following the Damson & Sloe variant it launched for the fall and winter months. It can be bought at Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, and online on Ocado.
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