PepsiCo Beverages North America (PBNA) is set to invest in the expansion of its Denver, Colorado facility, making it the company’s largest US site to date. The company has acquired almost 152 acres of land in the Denver High Point development area where it will construct the 1.2 million-square-foot manufacturing site, with the plant holding three times the capacity of its current facility. The bottling facility will produce branded products such as Pepsi, Pepsi Zero Sugar, Gatorade, bubly, Rockstar, Propel and Muscle Milk, and will aim to achieve 100% renewable electricity, water efficiency and reduced virgin plastic use. Johannes Evenblij, PBNA’s west division president, said: “We’re thrilled to call Denver, a city that shares so many of our values, home to PepsiCo’s most sustainable US plant location. With the High Point facility serving a model for the future of PBNA’s supply chain, we’re eager to continue deepening our dedication to Colorado through positive impacts such as new job opportunities and more sustainable business solutions.” The facility will create around 250 new jobs in the Denver area in addition to keeping all 250 current employees at the site. The newly expanded Denver plant is scheduled to open in summer 2023. #PepsiCoBeveragesNorthAmerica #US

Pepsi Bottling Ventures (PBV) is investing $35 million in a new bottling line at its production facility in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The company acquired the 526,000-square-foot production facility in 2012 and leased an additional 316,000-square-foot warehouse extension at the site last year due to increased storage needs. The new bottling line will enhance the company’s manufacturing operations by optimising production capacity for some of PepsiCo’s brands, including Lipton Tea, Aquafina and PBV-owned brand, Nature’s Twist. The company says the line will enable the production of millions of beverage cases annually and the manufacture of bottles made from 100% recycled material. Derek Hill, president and CEO of PBV, said: “This investment is a promise to our customers and consumers that we will continue to meet their beverage needs and demonstrates our long-term commitment to the region and the state of North Carolina”. He continued: “We’re excited about the opportunities that this new line will afford us as we focus on innovation and improving efficiencies. This investment allows us to continue operating at our best and ensures stable and well-paying jobs for years to come.” Construction of the new line is scheduled to start in 2023 and is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2024. #PepsiBottlingVentures #US

Bubly has teamed up with SodaStream to add new flavours to its Bounce portfolio. Bubly Bounce for SodaStream is now available in three flavours: Triple Berry, Citrus Cherry and Blueberry Pomegranate The drops contain 19mg of caffeine, no calories and no sweeteners. Bubly Bounce comes in an eco-friendly glass bottle that yields up to 12 litres (or 33 cans) of flavoured sparkling water. “We are elated to continue our successful relationship with Bubly by launching Bubly Vounce drops for SodaStream,” said Mark Fenton, general manager at SodaStream US. “Here at SodaStream, we are always ideating new, convenient, and sustainable ways to bring beverages people love directly to their homes. We hope this new launch awakens your tastebuds and adds some pep to your day.” Bubly Bounce drops for SodaStream are now available online for $5.99, and will roll out to retailers nationwide in the US next month. #Bubly #US #SodaStream #Bounce #caffeine

Fomento Económico Mexicano, known as Femsa, has announced a CHF 1.1 billion (approx. $1.15 billion) cash takeover of Swiss kiosk operator Valora. Femsa operates the largest convenience store chain in Mexico and Latin America, controls Coca-Cola Femsa, the world’s top Coca-Cola bottler, and is the second largest shareholder in Heineken. Valora has around 2,700 small-scale points of sale located across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, with brands including Brezelkönig and Caffè Spettacolo. The company is also one of the world’s leading producers of pretzels. Femsa is looking to use the takeover as a means to expand into Europe. The company’s CEO Daniel Rodriguez said in a conference call, cited by Reuters, that Femsa sees Valora as “an entrance gate” to the continent. The registered office and headquarters of Valora will remain in Muttenz, Switzerland, and the company will continue to operate under its current name. In a separate statement, Rodriguez said: “Femsa and Valora have each been around for well over one hundred years and both companies have developed successful business models and strong corporate cultures”. “Having built a significant store base and convenience and logistics expertise in Latin America during the past four decades, Femsa has been looking for a platform to grow and develop our proximity retail business in markets outside of Latin America.” He continued: “Valora has earned an excellent reputation in the international convenience and foodservice business with its sophisticated concept of innovative formats at high-traffic locations and we look forward to further expanding on this strategy with the continued support of Valora’s management, who will together with the Valora team members play a key role in our plans for the company’s future”. The offer, which is subject to customary terms and conditions as well as regulatory approvals, is expected to be settled at the end of September or the beginning of October. #Europe #Femsa #Mexico #ValoraHoldings

Borg & Overström has unveiled its new B6 water dispenser, which instantly dispenses water in up to four ways: chilled, ambient, sparkling and hot. The B6 features Borg & Overström’s signature innovations, such as its Dry Chill, a cooling technology that provides freshly chilled and adjustable water temperatures between 2° and 11°C; Totality, a hygiene-assured refreshment that provides water safety and quality cleanliness; and Eco mode, a software that helps end-users save energy by automatically regulating B6’s idle state without having to overuse an on/off switch. Available in black and silver, the company said B6 “boasts elite-level dispensing capacity”, with its chilled and sparkling output reaching 50 litres per hour. A spokesperson for Borg & Overström told FoodBev: “[The B6 water dispenser has] been prepared to suit a global launch to all countries where we currently have a customer base. But due to it being 100% our own in-house design and manufacture it can be developed to suit any country’s requirements, and therefore our first truly versatile dispenser – suitable for any nationality and environment.” #BorgampOverström #waterdispenser

Singaporean robotics firm Ross Digital has secured SGD $4.2 million (approx. $3 million) in a Series A funding round led by food conglomerate Fraser and Neave. The funding round included participation from existing investors Frasers Property and zVentures, the corporate venture arm of Razer. Ross will use the capital to accelerate the development of new products and to expand into Thailand and Malaysia. The company is also partnering with Fraser and Neave to distribute its range of robotic, automation, digital and AI solutions in Southeast Asia. Ross, which is a robotics and automation business focused on food and beverage, has already deployed 15 robotic arms in the region, including to Martell Cognac, Timber+, Coffee & Toast and RazerCafe. The company is aiming to install another 40 into the market by the end of the year. “It is very exciting for us to be able to partner with a food and beverage industry leader like Fraser and Neave who would be able to help build the future of the food and beverage industry within the region,” said Gavin Pathross, Ross founder and CEO. “Through this investment and strategic partnership, we believe that we will be able to leverage off each other’s strengths to deliver phenomenal new market offerings for the more discerning Gen Z consumers.” Ross has now raised SGD $21.2 million (approx. $15.2 million) since its inception in 2017. #robotics #RossDigital #Singapore

Cirkul, a beverage company known for developing patented flavour cartridges, has raised $70 million in a Series C funding round. The round was led by private equity firm SC Holdings. According to Cirkul, the company has seen a growth of over 150% per year since its launch. Founded in 2018, Cirkul produces over 50 flavour cartridges that can be inserted into its water bottles. Cirkul’s bottles, cartridges and accessories are available at Walmart stores across the US. Co-founder and CEO, Garrett Waggoner, said: “Today, consumers are driving major shifts in the beverage industry, increasingly focused on health and reducing their environmental impact but aren’t willing to compromise on convenience or delicious flavour…This fundraiser will help us continue to capitalise on the strong customer demand for our products which are tailor-made for today’s consumers.” The money raised in the round gives Cirkul a pre-money valuation of $1 billion. #Cirkul #US

The Alkaline Water Company has appointed its current director, Frank Lazaran, to the role of CEO. Lazaran will succeed CEO Ricky Wright, effective immediately. Prior to joining the company, Lazaran held managerial level positions at Marsh Supermarket, Winn-Dixie Stores, Randalls and Tom Thumb Supermarkets. Chairman, Aaron Keay, said: “We are excited to have Frank join The Alkaline Water Company as the chief executive officer and extremely confident Frank and the team can lead us into the next phase of our growth with Alkaline88. Frank brings over 40 years of strategic execution, operational management and innovation in the retail sector, as well as capital markets experience that will help continue to accelerate the company’s top-line growth along with bringing heightened attention towards profitability for the company.” Keay added: “With evolving economic conditions that are impacting both retailers and consumers across multiple channels, Alkaline88 will continue to put its attention to improving the company’s bottom line with a renewed focus towards profitability in the foreseeable future. The appointment of Frank is consistent with his personal track record of being put into similar positions over his career and is aligned with the company’s direction, along with our board of director’s mandate, to evaluate optimisation measures while continuing the brand’s consistent and stable growth.” Reasons for Wright’s stepping down were not disclosed. #CEO #TheAlkalineWaterCompany

The Coca-Cola Company has announced that it will phase out its Honest teas product line, with plans to continue producing the “quickly growing” Honest Kids juice products. Coca-Cola will discontinue its Honest teas portfolio at the end of 2022. The Honest brand was founded in 1998 by Seth Goldman and Barry Nalebuff. Coca-Cola took a 40% investment stake in 2008, before fully acquiring the brand in 2011. Today’s announcement by Coca-Cola that they will be discontinuing @HonestTea is a gut punch to all the sweat, tears, and incredible passion that went into building our beloved brand. (1/11) — Seth Goldman (@HonestSeth) May 23, 2022 The soft drinks giant said: “The Coca-Cola Company is challenging itself to think differently about how its brands help accelerate business transformation, reflect consumer choice and promote growth as a company. This means rationalising its lineup of drinks and prioritising fewer, bigger brands with the greatest potential for scale and profitable growth.” Sabrina Tandon, group director, RTD Tea, Coca-Cola North America Operating Unit, added: “We are phasing out the Honest teas product line, but are not selling the Honest brand”. Meanwhile, the Honest Kids juice offerings, along with the national Gold Peak and regional Peace Tea brands will remain part of the company. “Shifting from a three-brand tea portfolio to a prioritised two-brand tea lineup will free up investment resources and supply chain capacity to better meet consumer needs and capture share in the category,” said Tandon. “We believe Gold Peak and Peace Tea are best positioned to meet consumer She continued: “Ongoing supply chain challenges mean we are having to prioritise production and distribution of certain product SKUs, and that we’ve been unable to meet consumer demand for Gold Peak. This, among other factors, helped drive this very difficult decision”. #HonestTea #TheCocaColaCompany #US

Starbucks has signed a definitive agreement to divest its Evolution Fresh juice brand and business to Butterfly portfolio company, Bolthouse Farms. Evolution Fresh is a California-based producer of primarily organic, cold-pressed juice and smoothie products. Private equity firm Butterfly specialises in the food sector with a particular focus on high-growth, on-trend categories. Evolution Fresh will join Butterfly’s brand portfolio which includes Chosen Foods, MaryRuth Organics, Orgain, and Pete and Gerry’s Organics. Hans Melotte, Starbucks executive vice president of global channel development, said: “Evolution Fresh has grown steadily over the last several years as a result of our partners’ hard work and commitment to the brand. We feel there is a great runway and opportunity to take Evolution Fresh to the next level and Bolthouse Farms’ considerable experience and success in the premium beverage category will allow the brand to continue growing.” He continued: “Bolthouse Farms shares the same values and commitment to putting people first in everything they do, which affirms for us that we have found the right opportunity for Evolution Fresh”. Starbucks acquired Evolution Fresh in 2011 for $30 million. Starbucks stores within the US will continue to sell Evolution Fresh products. The transaction, which is for an undisclosed amount, is expected to close later in 2022. #US #Starbucks #BolthouseFarms #EvolutionFresh #Butterfly

Mashgin, developer of an AI-powered touchless self-checkout system, has raised $62.5 million in a Series B funding round led by venture capital firm NEA. The capital will be used to grow Mashgin’s team and accelerate its expansion. The company has also achieved a valuation of $1.5 billion, elevating it to ‘unicorn’ status. Mashgin’s touchless checkout system does not require barcodes or RFIDs, and instead uses AI and computer vision to identify products, allowing consumers to pay in ten seconds or less. According to the California-based company, its checkout system is “four times faster than cashiers and traditional point-of-sale”. The machines are currently deployed in more than 800 locations, including convenience stores, sports stadiums, airports, universities, and corporate and hospital cafeterias. Mashgin’s chief technology officer and co-founder, Mukul Dhankar, said: “The global pandemic accelerated the adoption of touchless technologies, but consumer behaviour has turned them into the baseline expectation. Our mission is to leverage artificial intelligence to create real-world benefits for people. By making time-draining tasks fast and seamless, we enable consumers to get back to what really matters, while freeing up businesses to truly innovate on the customer experience to build lasting loyalty.” #Mashgin #touchlessselfcheckout #US

The Coca-Cola Company has expanded its Freestyle portfolio with the introduction of the New Compact Freestyle smart drinks dispenser in Europe. The New Compact Freestyle machine is a smart dispenser that allows users to personalise their drinks while using their own reusable bottles, therefore reducing carbon emissions and packaging. According to Coca-Cola, the new product is “the smallest unit in the most digitally advanced range of Freestyle machines”. The smart dispenser enables digital consumer interaction, including options for consumers to personalise temperature and carbonisation levels, with around 40 beverage choices available. Trials of the New Compact Freestyle will begin this month at both at-work and on-the-go outlets in France and Belgium, in partnership with Coca-Cola Europacific Partners. Meanwhile, trials are also planned for the UK and additional European countries throughout 2022. Coca-Cola’s president of Europe, Nikos Koumettis, said: “The findings of our preliminary analysis promisingly show that the New Compact Freestyle can have a lower carbon footprint per serving compared to traditional packs, such as cans and PET bottles. This is hugely encouraging given the importance to deliver meaningful action on sustainability for Coca-Cola, and our customers and consumers.” He continued: “In developing this new dispenser, we’ve used the latest in technology to offer a wide variety of personalisation options in line with both consumers’ digital-led lives and their appetite for choice. These new trials mean that consumers can prepare their own perfect drink, just as they like it, and can use less packaging and carbon to do so – a win-win for them and the environment.” #CocaCola #Europe #smartdispenser