USA: AB InBev buys Hiball Energy

Global beverage giant AB InBev has announced the acquisition of leading organic drink maker Hiball Energy, which produces energy drinks under the Hiball Energy brand and sparkling juices and sparkling waters under the Alta Palla brand. The acquisition, which will expand AB InBev’s presence in the non-alcoholic drinks sector, is aimed at supporting Hiball Energy and its brands […]
Netherlands: Refresco acquires Cott Beverages

Refresco, an independent bottler of beverages for retailers and manufacturers in Europe and the US, has announced the acquisition of Cott Beverages in an all-cash transaction worth $1.25 billion. Cott Beverages, which generates $1.7 billion in annual revenues, is described as drinks firm Cott’s “traditional beverage manufacturing business”. It is one of the world’s largest […]
UK: GSK to consider selling Horlicks and MaxiNutrition as part of business overhaul

British FMCG and pharmaceutical firm GlaxoSmithKline has announced its intention to sell its Horlicks brand of hot drinks in the UK, together with its MaxiNutrition business. The sale is reportedly part of the company’s strategy of focusing on its pharmaceutical business, which accounts for £16.1 billion ($20.1 billion) in annual sales. Horlicks was originally acquired […]
Singapore: Coca-Cola to set up new distribution centre

Coca-Cola Singapore has announced the opening of a new storage and distribution center in Tuas. Located opposite to an existing Coca Cola plant, the new $57.5 million facility includes an “overhead bridge with a conveyance system to transport products from the manufacturing facility to the storage warehouse and vice versa”, according to information reported on […]
USA: Dean Foods to acquire Uncle Matt’s

Dean Foods, one of the American leading food and beverages companies, has acquired Uncle Matt’s Organic, a producer of organic beverages where the financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1999, and located in Florida, Uncle Matt’s Organic makes organic fruits and juices, including probiotic-infused juices and fruit-infused waters. After the acquisition, the company will […]
USA: Kraft Heinz unveils coffee range with caffeine “boost”

Kraft Heinz, one of the world’s largest food and beverage firms, has launched a new range of coffee that allows consumers to adjust the level of caffeine intake. Marketed under the Maxwell House brand name and available in the US, the Max Boost line offers three different levels of caffeine per cup – 1.25, 1.5 […]
Canada: Nurtrinor to acquire Fromagerie Champetre

Nurtrinor, a Canada based agri-food cooperative, has acquired a majority stake in cheese specialist Fromagerie Champetre, company based in Repentigny in Canada. The acquisition, according to a company statement, is part of a three-year investment plan to strengthening Nutrinor’s position in the agri-food sector, enabling the cooperative to position itself on the dairy processing market outside […]
Brazil: Coca-Cola launches Guarana flavour Fanta

Coca-Cola has introduced a new guarana flavour of its Fanta soft drink in Brazil. According to Coca-Cola, the new Guarana Fanta is the first to reach the market containing guarana that is 100% certified as being sourced from the Amazon. Flavio Camelier, vice-president of operations at Coca-Cola Brasil, said: “Our goal is to make Fanta […]
Japan: Coca-Cola introduces cold indicator bottle

Beverage maker Coca-Cola has announced the launch of original Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Zero in a new bottle that changes colour when the bottle gets cold. The new package is said to feature an indicator ink label that displays the words “ice cold” when chilled, informing consumers the drink is at the right temperature to be served. The […]
Mexico: Grupo Lala to invest in dairy facility in Guatemala

Mexican dairy company Grupo Lala is set to invest $30 million in the construction of a new facility in Guatemala, according to a report in FoodBev. Located in Escuintla, the new dairy facility will be 12,000 sq m in size and will produce pasteurized milk, ultrapasteurized milk (UHT) and ice cream, with capacity for five […]