Starbucks has appointed John Elliott, the former chief technology officer of Sainsbury’s, as VP of technology for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. In his new role at Starbucks, Elliott will set and execute the technology strategy across 42 countries in EMEA, oversee digital service delivery and participate in both the EMEA and global technology leadership teams. Prior to Sainsbury’s, Elliott also held senior roles at Morrisons from 2011 to 2014, serving as applications manager and later as head of applications and development. Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa, commented: "John joins Starbucks at a time when we are building on our strong growth in the region. His impressive track record, particularly his experience in consumer facing food retailing, will help support our strategy." "This will see us drive further investment in technology that enhances the partner and customer experience, improve our supply chain and evolve our app and mobile ordering platform."   Elliott added "I am thrilled by the opportunity to join Starbucks, an iconic global brand renowned for its innovation, unique partner culture and dedication to customer experience. I look forward to joining the team to shape a technology strategy across the diverse markets of Europe, Middle East and Africa, as well as playing an important role in delivering a truly exciting growth plan for EMEA. #Starbucks #EMEA

FoodBev is proud to announce the World Coffee Innovation Awards 2024 shortlist , spotlighting remarkable, ground-breaking contributions to the global coffee industry. This year's line-up features the latest coffee concepts, technologies and innovations worldwide. The 2024 awards will see innovations from all over the globe compete for the accolade of the world’s best, showcasing their contributions and raising the bar in the coffee experience. Find the full shortlist below: Automatic Coffee Machine Coffetek - Vitro OutIn Inc. - Nano Portable Espresso Machine Dualit - Espressivo Pro Coffee Machine Eversys - Shotmaster S/ST Franke Coffee Systems UK - Mytico Barista Tool/Equipment Coffetek - New Ascaso Grinder P74 Coffee Capsule/Pod Voyage Foods - Bean-Free Coffee Dualit - Aluminium Coffee Pods Dualit - Home Compostable Coffee Pods Cold Brew Product Ezpresso - Rich Kenyan RISE Brewing Co. - Shelf-Stable RTD 3 Gallon Cold Brew BIB GoodBrew - GoodGut Caramel Cold Brew Latte Functional Coffee GoodBrew - GoodGut™ Vanilla Latte Sr. Valley Hemp Foods - Roasted Hemp & Coffee Blend Low/no Caffeine Product Origin Coffee - Atlas Decaf Coffee Manual Coffee Machine Coffetek - Barista T 2024 Dalla Corte UK - Icon Milk Alternative Floatmilk - Orginal Oatmilk Floatmilk - Vanilla Oatmilk Floatmilk - Chocolate Oatmilk Floatmilk - Original Oatmilk +Adaptogens Arla JÖRÐ - Barista Oat Drink 1L Ready-to-drink Product GoodBrew - GoodGut™ Caramel Latte Lost Sheep Coffee - Iced Latte Lost Sheep Coffee - Iced Mocha Brewing Innovation Tous les Jours - Tiramisu Latte Dalla Corte UK - Zero Barista Packaging Innovation Parkside Flexibles - Dark woods compostable coffee bag The Good Cup™ - All-in-one coffee cup SHARPAK - PET Recyclable Coffee Cup Lid Roasting Innovation sponsored by Gaggia Mr. Bean Coffee Ltd. - Shish Peet’s Coffee - Peet’s Bright Collection Bellwether Coffee - Bellwether Shop Roaster ROEST - L100 Plus Sample Roaster Voyage Foods - Bean-Free Coffee ACAPELLA - Café de Noël Technology Innovation Mr. Bean Coffee Ltd. - Shish AI-assisted tabletop coffee bean roasting systems for Horeca OutIn Inc. - OutIn Nano Portable Espresso Machine 365 Retail Markets - PicoCoffee nunc. - nunc. Ingredient Batching Systems - Green Coffee Silo Storage & Auto Batching System Dualit - Milk Frother Max Dalla Corte UK - Zero Barista Franke Coffee Systems UK - Mytico Ethical Initiative Raw Material - Plant-to-Port: Driving Ethical Transformation Through Inclusive Coffee Education New/start-up Business Mr. Bean Coffee Ltd. - Shish HoReCa Craft Roaster Station Voyage Foods - Bean-Free Coffee Sustainability Initiative Atomo Beanless Coffee - Atomo's Beanless Espresso Bella Barista - Bella Barista Brazil Santo - Regenerative Organic Coffee ofi (Olam Food Ingredients) - Coffee Kindergartens: Creating safe spaces for children during the coffee harvest Raw Material - Off-Grid Renewable Coffee Hubs Join us at the Caffe Culture Show This year, FoodBev Awards has taken the World Coffee Innovation Awards to the next level and is excited to present shortlisted companies with the opportunity to exhibit their products at the Caffè Culture Show in the dedicated World Coffee Innovation Awards feature area. This provides a physical platform to showcase, network and celebrate their innovations. Join us at the Caffe Culture Show on the 1st of October for a celebration like no other! The winner's ceremony will take place at the Caffè Insights stage at 16:00. Roasting Innovation Category Sponsor The myth of the 'caffè all’Italiana' was born from the ingenious idea of Achille Gaggia, an Italian barista who - in 1938 - filed the patent that signalled a revolution in the way that aromas are extracted from coffee. Achille began constructing his innovative professional coffee machines and installing them in bars and restaurants around the world, allowing customers the unique pleasure of experiencing perfect Italian espresso, complete with its unique ‘crema’ for the very first time. Today the Gaggia name is synonymous with excellence and state of the art technology, as represented by its range of traditional manual espresso machines and fully automatic machines for coffee professionals. About FoodBev Awards FoodBev Media awards schemes have been running for more than 20 years and are now recognised as the most credible and respected awards schemes to influence the international food and beverage industry. For more information about our selection of awards programmes, please visit foodbevawards.com  or email awards@foodbev.com

The European vending and Office Coffee Service (OCS) industry has recovered its revenue, exceeding pre-pandemic levels for the first time since 2019, according to the latest report by the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA). The report, which covers data up to the end of 2023, attributes this revenue recovery to the "resilience of machine operators and OCS companies", alongside price increases over the past few years. However, while revenue has bounced back, consumption remains lower than in 2019, though it has improved compared to last year. The EVA report, which spans 24 European markets, also indicates an expansion in the number of vending machines in use and provides sector-specific data on healthcare, leisure and travel sectors. Key findings include: The total number of machines in Europe is now 4.5 million. Vending transactions total 33.5 billion. Industry revenue reaches €22.67 billion. Micro markets exceed 10,000, due to a 38% increase in one year. Cashless payment systems are installed on nearly 78% of machines. Hot beverages account for 68% of the machine base. Machine bases have grown in 21 of the 24 countries, driven by investments in table-top semi-automatic machines. EVA will present the report at its Annual General Assembly at Le Forum-EVEX in Cannes on 17 October . #EVA #report #association

Bevi, a US-based company specialising in smart watercoolers, has appointed Cathy Lewenberg as its new chief executive officer. According to the company, Lewenberg's appointment comes as Bevi expands its product offerings and works toward making the beverage industry more sustainable. Co-founder Sean Grundy will shift his attention to new ventures, including international expansion. Lewenberg has over 20 years of experience across the consumer, retail, health and technology sectors. She was most recently CEO of Drizly, an alcohol delivery platform, where she oversaw rapid growth and its acquisition by Uber. As Bevi, she will prioritise accelerating growth and product innovation, strengthening the company's scalability and advancing its sustainability goals through strategic partnerships. Lewenberg said: “I’m thrilled to join Bevi at such an exciting and pivotal moment for the business. The opportunity to lead a company that is not only driving innovation in hydration, but also making a meaningful impact on sustainability aligns perfectly with my passions and experience." "I look forward to leading Bevi in its mission to eliminate single-use plastic bottles and make healthier choices easier for consumers. I’m eager to partner with this talented team to accelerate growth of this beloved brand and continue making the world a better place, one sip at a time.” Grundy added: “We’re lucky to welcome Cathy to the Bevi team. She shares our vision to lead the beverage industry on an environmentally sustainable path, and has the experience and know-how to realize that ambitious vision. Cathy brings a wealth of valuable experience to Bevi, from massively scaling Drizly, to successfully driving innovation and transformation at CVS Health. Her skills in brand and product development, distribution, partnerships and general management will be critical to Bevi in the years to come.” Top image: © Bevi #Bevi #CEO #appointment

Boost, an unattended retail solution company based in Zürich, Switzerland, has joined the European Vending Association (EVA) to strengthen its presence in the sector. The company offers solutions like smart cooling systems, coffee machines, vending units and micro markets to optimise efficiency and drive growth. Cecily Batten, marketing manager at Boost, highlighted: "For a European player like Boost, becoming a member of the EVA will give us direct access to defining and shaping European standards and industry-wide protocols. We see the EVA’s role as crucial in continually raising the professionalism and innovation of our industry and look forward to applying our own experiences in an open and supportive network.” Erwin Wetzel, EVA's director general, commented: “As the industry becomes more and more connected, Boost provides solutions for the unattended retail industry. I am pleased that they will now be able to network further with wider European vending players through EVA events and also benefit from the in-depth industry knowledge gained through our highly sought-after market report.” Boost has joined the EVA as a full member. Top image: © Boost inc #EVA #Boost #association

UK foodservice provider Creed Foodservice has been acquired by Kitwave Wholesale Group for an undisclosed sum. Creed will operate within Kitwave's Foodservice division, which includes David Miller Frozen Foods, Total Foodservice, MJ Baker Foodservice and Westcountry Food Holdings. Founded in 1972, Creed is an independent UK foodservice wholesaler, supplying a wide range of products to caterers and chefs, including grocery, frozen, chilled, fresh produce, butchery, beverages, alcohol and non-food items. Creed said that the acquisition will increase Kitwave's Foodservice division to ten depots (16 including the on-trade business). The combined operation will serve 10,700 customers across hospitality, education, healthcare, leisure and out-of-home sectors, with annual revenues nearing £275 million. There will be no changes to Creed's operational structure. Chris Creed remains CEO, Philip de Ternant will retain his role as chairman and Miles Roberts will continue to be managing director. Chris Creed said: “We have been evaluating our plans to take our business to the next stage for some time now and are delighted to be able to share our growth plans. Our objectives have always been to keep the Creed name, remain a member of the Country Range Group, secure the right investment and strengthen our infrastructure and capacity to secure our long-term growth; and I’m pleased to say that all these goals have been achieved." “Creed’s ethos and business approach remain at the heart of our operations. Creed has thrived on family values for over 50 years and our people, culture and values remain woven into the fabric of our extended business. This move strengthens our position within the market, offering the best possible outcome for our business, people and customers.” Ben Maxted, CEO at Kitwave, added: “Creed has an exceptional heritage and is one of the UK’s leading foodservice wholesalers, so we are delighted to have reached this agreement, which will extend our Foodservice division". "Strategically, Creed will significantly expand our geographical presence, bridging our operations in the North and South and creating a fully integrated national delivery network. We are looking forward to working with Creed's dedicated and experienced team and excited to see our Foodservice division continue to go from strength to strength." #CreedFoodservice #Kitwave #UK

Cumulus Coffee Company has launched a new cold coffee machine and recyclable coffee capsules, allowing consumers to brew café-quality cold beverages at home with ease. The machine, priced at $695, allows users to make cold brew, nitro cold brew, and cold espresso in seconds, using recyclable aluminium capsules. It features premium arabica coffee sourced from Central and South America, Africa and Asia, specifically roasted for cold brewing. The coffee is available in fully recyclable aluminum capsules and includes eight varieties of light, medium, dark and decaf roasts. The nitrogen for the nitro cold brew is sourced from the air, eliminating the need for gas cartridges. Gelman said: "Cold coffee has become a core part of daily rituals, but replicating the café experience at home has always been challenging. At Cumulus, we obsess over every detail, ensuring that our cold brew, nitro cold brew and cold espresso not only meet but exceed expectations." "From sourcing the best arabica beans to designing a frictionless system, we've built Cumulus from the ground up to be the ultimate cold coffee solution, delivering a seamless, café-quality experience at home – designed for how people want to enjoy coffee today." Last year, Cumulus released its first-ever solution for making premium cold brew at home following a seed funding round that raised $20.3 million . #CumulusCoffee #US

C. Steinweg, an international logistics service provider, has announced the acquisition of 75% of the shares of Romani Spa. Romani Spa is a private company specialising in coffee storage and handling. The acquisition is said to boost Steinweg's global warehousing capacity in the soft commodities sector. The move comes as demand for coffee import handling grows at key Italian ports, Genoa and Trieste. By integrating Romani Spa’s operations, Steinweg aims to strengthen its services and improve efficiency in its global logistics network. “This acquisition marks a significant step in our strategy to expand our presence in the soft commodity market and better serve our customers,” said Andrea Bartalini CEO of C. Steinweg. “Romani Spa is a strong and reputable company in the coffee industry, and together, we will be able to create even more value for coffee importers and traders in Italy and beyond.” Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. #CSteinweg #RomaniSpa

Le Forum-EVEX is set to take place in Cannes, France, from 16 to 18 October, drawing a record attendance of approximately 450 professionals from the vending industry. More than 140 European vending machine operators and 82 supplier partners have confirmed their participation. The event will be held at the Carlton Hotel, located on the Croisette. It will feature a series of conferences and workshops organised by FCM magazine, the French Vending Association (NAVSA) and the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA). Key discussion topics will include responsible vending practices, the ongoing relevance of coffee in the sector and strategies to meet consumer demand. Attendees will also have the option to select topics for three additional workshops through a pre-event survey. The event will commence with a gala dinner on the evening of 16 October to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the EVA, followed by the Annual General Assembly the next morning, which will review the association's developments over the past three decades. On 17 October, participants will attend a ‘white evening’ at a nearby villa, where the Innovation Awards 2024 will be presented. This collaboration with Le Forum aims to enhance networking opportunities and increase the reach of vending operators within the industry. #LeForumEVEX #Cannes

Culligan has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of BE WTR, a provider of premium water solution, in the Nordic region. The move promises to provide existing BE WTR customers with access to an expanded range of products, including advanced coffee machines, high-quality coffee, various water solutions and Culligan's patented water dispensers. Mike Hecker, former owner of BE WTR in the Nordics, said: “As BE WTR accelerates its international expansion and focus on hospitality and gastronomy worldwide, we wanted to secure a strong, long term operator focused on great service in office and HoReCa, which is clearly the speciality of Culligan. I thank each of you for your loyalty and wish you a continued satisfaction together with Culligan. For clarity sake BE WTR remains an independent company based in Switzerland, not related to Culligan, and growing rapidly internationally.” Mattias Källemyr, CEO of Culligan Nordic, added: “Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible for you, and we will work to nurture and further develop the strong customer relationships that are already in place”. For the time being, customers can expect no significant changes in services or products. "Any improvements that are implemented will be made with your best interests in mind, and we will keep you informed of all important updates," said Culligan in a statement. Last week, BE WTR opened a fully automated circular bottling plant in Clichy , a suburb of Paris. Top image: © BE WTR #Culligan #BEWTR

According to Reuters, the AlShaya Group, a multinational retail franchise operator headquartered in Kuwait, has paused its efforts to sell a minority stake in its Starbucks franchise, which operates across the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia, due to ongoing geopolitical unrest and consumer boycotts in the region. Sources familiar with the situation revealed that these factors are complicating bidders' ability to accurately assess the business's value. AlShaya, which has been looking to offload approximately 30% of its stake in a process referred to as "Project Emerald," is not in a hurry to finalise the sale. Reuters reported that while interest has been expressed from major players, including US private equity firm Apollo Global Management and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the sale discussions are expected to resume next year if conditions improve. The franchise operates around 2,000 outlets across 13 countries, including Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. AlShaya Group declined to provide a comment. Refreshment has also reached out to Starbucks for a statement. #AIShayaGroup #Starbucks

Nutrabolt, owner of C4 Energy, has announced a partnership with The Hershey Company to launch a range of products featuring popular Hershey flavours. The collaboration will introduce Hershey's confections into the energy drink, pre-workout and protein powder categories, with new flavours rolling out this autumn and additional products planned for 2025. The first offerings, which is available from this month, include C4 Original x Bubble Yum pre-workout and C4 Performance Energy x Jolly Rancher energy drinks, available in blue raspberry, green apple and watermelon. In October, C4 Whey Protein powders will debut in vanilla bean, Hershey's milk chocolate and Reese's peanut butter flavours. Doss Cunningham, chairman and CEO at Nutrabolt, said: "At Nutrabolt, we prioritise listening to our customers and value our strategic partnerships. For years, users have been mixing their own peanut butter and chocolate protein shakes and we've frequently heard requests for a Jolly Rancher candy-flavoured C4. After extensive testing, we're thrilled to finally bring these products to market." Andy Paladino, director of global licensing at The Hershey Licensing Company, added: "We are constantly seeking new ways to introduce our adored Hershey candy and chocolate treats in innovative formats. These new beverages and powders sweeten the performance category for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to achieve their best, and we are thrilled to partner with C4 to deliver this lineup." C4 Performance Energy drinks contain CarnoSyn Beta-Alanine, BetaPower and 200mg of caffeine to enhance performance. The C4 Original x Bubble Yum pre-workout will be a limited-edition release and includes ingredients for energy, endurance and focus, along with AI-powered peptides. #Nutrabolt #C4 #Hershey #US