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just-drinks.com editor's weekly highlights |
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In This Issue...
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Coca-Cola Co. showed last week that “honest mistakes” might not always stick for good in the world of business. On Friday, the world’s largest drinks group confirmed the long-rumoured appointment of Muhtar Kent as president and chief operating officer. Kent’s promotion to the number two position at Coke is a notable coup for the executive, who was forced to resign in 1997 from Coke bottler Coca-Cola Amatil following an investigation into the trading of shares in the Australia-based company. Kent eventually left the company to take a job at Efes Beverage Group, only to return to the Coke fold last year to oversee Coke’s business in North Asia, Eurasia and the Middle East – and then to head Coca-Cola International. Coke chairman and CEO Neville Isdell is widely seen as the man behind Kent’s return and subsequent promotions. The Irishman has worked with Kent for over 20 years and believes his experience at dealing with Coke’s bottlers – the heart of the soft drinks giant’s business – is critical in revitalising its operations in key international markets. On Friday, Isdell spoke of Kent’s “integrity” and insisted the share trading allegations had been “thoroughly investigated”. Kent’s actions were the result of an “honest mistake”, Isdell said, who spoke glowingly of the record of Coke’s international businesses under Kent. However, some analysts were less fulsome with their praise. One analyst said Kent is “a logical choice” given his experience of the Coke system, but said he views the move “positive but unenthusiastically”. Meanwhile, the head of a New York-based investment firm claimed he was “astonished” by the appointment. “Does Coke have such a poor management bench that it has to pick someone who has this black mark on his record?” he told a US newspaper. Nevertheless, a fitting example of Isdell’s faith in Kent was his decision last year to ask him to mediate in talks between the company and Coca-Cola FEMSA over the price of concentrate used to make Coke products. Kent will need his reputed powers of pragmatism and persuasion to convince industry watchers that he is the right man for a tough job. For more on Muhtar Kent’s appointment, click here.Until next time... Olly Wehring, Managing Editor Web: www.just-drinks.com
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The View from A Farr – Soft Christmas [MEM] During the festive period, designated drivers or those who simply need to give their bodies a rest from rich food and alcohol will find a wider array than ever of interesting and exotic soft drinks to refresh and restore. Annette Farr takes a look at some of the new products adding sparkle and variety to the soft drinks shelves this Christmas. Related Stories Latest Discussions Latest jobs Opportunities and hurdles in the Chinese food and drink market China’s rapidly expanding food and drink industry has attracted attention from foreign investors for decades, but it is only in recent years that the post-Communist market has represented a tangible and actionable opportunity for suppliers, producers, manufacturers and retailers. This month’s bonus briefing is taken from our sister site, www.just-food.com , and looks at opportunities and hurdles in the Chinese food and drink market. These include import and export opportunities, foreign direct investment, industry trends and future opportunities. |
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