Aqua beverage business news, Aqua company profile, Aqua analysis, comment and interviews

just the Facts - PepsiCo M&A Activity since 2006

17 November 2011

According to a report in the New York Post yesterday (16 November), PepsiCo is working on two major acquisitions, in addition to examining the possibility of a business split.

Round-Up with Russell - The Week in Soft Drinks

2 September 2011

It has been the talk of the soft drinks industry in the US for some time, but the tax debate has now moved to France, where ministers have sanctioned a four-fold VAT increase on sweetened soft drinks.

RUSSIA: PepsiCo in talks over Siberia beverages plant

1 September 2011

PepsiCo has confirmed that it is in discussions to build a soft drinks production facility and logistics centre in the Russian city of Novosibirsk.

US: Owens-Illinois closes Verrerie du Languedoc plant buy

27 July 2011

Owens-Illinois has completed its purchase of the Verrerie du Languedoc bottling plant in France, thereby expanding its “strategic relationship” with Nestlé Waters.

just On Call - Danone CEO details factors for waters growth

14 April 2011

Danone has said that the strong performance of its waters division in the first quarter was driven by growth in Latin America, Japan and the emerging economies.

Preview of the Year - 2011 – Part VI: Soft Drinks & Water II

13 January 2011

Rounding off our preview of 2011 is this, the second and final part of Euromonitor International's look at what the year holds for the soft drinks and water categories.

just the Facts - The Russian soft drinks market

6 December 2010

Last week, PepsiCo agreed to buy 66% of Wimm-Bill-Dann (WBD) for US$3.8bn in a move that will make PepsiCo the largest food and beverage group in Russia.

just the facts – Danone, Wahaha dispute

1 October 2009

Danone said yesterday (30 September) it has agreed to sell its 51% stake in a joint venture with China's Wahaha, bringing to an end their long-running dispute and years of court battles across the globe. Here we look at five facts on the two companies.

RUSSIA: PepsiCo, Pepsi Bottling Group to spend $1bn

6 July 2009

PepsiCo and its bottling affiliate, Pepsi Bottling Group (PBG), is to invest US$1bn in Russia over the next three years.

Review - IFE shows soft drinks makers in defiant and creative mood

24 March 2009

If anyone was expecting an underwhelming and downbeat atmosphere at last week's IFE food and drink show, they would have been pleasantly surprised. Among the soft drinks exhibitors at least, Annette Farr found that in these bleak times producers are keener than ever to set themselves apart through innovation.

Focus - Wising up to the opportunities in healthier children’s drinks

23 January 2009

The children’s drinks market has changed substantially in recent years as health concerns have increased. However, writes Simon Maddrell of Euromonitor International, some companies have been quicker than others to recognise the commercial opportunities that new parental priorities offer.

Soft drinks & water review 2008 - Coke has the best of a tough year for soft drinks

23 December 2008

While the past 12 months have been difficult for many soft drinks companies, notably in North America, the last year has seen continued development in better-for-you categories, notably enhanced waters and healthy colas. Ben Cooper takes a look back at 2008.

Focus - Cosmetic boost to enhanced water category

9 December 2008

The health and wellness boom has spawned the launch of many functional products aimed at consumers seeking a healthier lifestyle, and enhanced waters are claiming a growing share of this market. But, Annette Farr writes, companies are also introducing enhanced waters marketed as offering cosmetic benefits.

GLOBAL: Bottled water sales continue to rise in 2007- research

12 September 2008

Negative publicity for bottled water in the US and Europe failed to stem growth in the sector around the world last year, according to recent research.

RUSSIA: PBG, PepsiCo completes Sobol acquisition

7 May 2008

The Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo have announced that, through their PR Beverages joint venture in Russia, they have completed their previously announced acquisition of Sobol-Aqua in the country.

INDIA: Unclean tap water opens up packaged water sector

18 April 2008

Shortage of clean drinking water in India has spurred the trend for packaged water and the home water-purifier industry.

The just-drinks interview - PepsiCo International, part two

17 April 2008

PepsiCo returned to the headlines last month, when it announced its plans to buy a major stake in Russian juice company Lebedyansky. The transaction, for a 75% stake in the company – which accounts for 30% of the country’s juice market - marked a clear statement of intent for the company in the emerging markets of the world. In the second part of this month’s just-drinks interview, PepsiCo International’s chairman and CEO, Mike White, tells Olly Wehring of the company’s approach in the developing markets, and considers the effect of the current economic climate on the soft drinks giant.

The just-drinks interview – PepsiCo International

8 April 2008

PepsiCo is aiming to become the largest beverage company in Russia and its recent acquisition of a majority stake in the juice company, JSC Lebedyansky, represents an important step towards achieving this aim. In this month’s two-part just-drinks interview, Olly Wehring spoke with Mike White, chairman and CEO of PepsiCo International, about the company’s plans for Russia.

US: Power Brands launches Aqua Planet in cans

27 March 2008

Power Brands has introduced its Aqua Planet water brand in recyclable cans across select stores in the northern California area.

RUSSIA: Pepsi to buy Lebedyansky's juice firm

20 March 2008

PepsiCo and The Pepsi Bottling Group have agreed to jointly acquire a majority stake in Russia’s leading branded juice company JSC Lebedyansky.

RUSSIA: PBG, PepsiCo to acquire Sobol in Russia

17 March 2008

The Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiCo have signed a deal, through their Russian joint venture PR Beverages, to acquire Sobol-Aqua in Russia.

RUSSIA: Borjomi Group buys Edelweiss - report

5 March 2008

The Borjomi Group has made its first water acquisition in Russia, according to local reports.

Pot of Gould – The (brand) name game

27 November 2007

There may be many facets to a winning marketing mix, but a strong brand name that captures the consumer’s imagination is clearly fundamental. Patience Gould looks at some notable hits and misses to get to the bottom of what defines successful branding.

GLOBAL: Bottled water growth on the up - research

26 October 2007

Global bottled water consumption has continued to increase, with Asia/Australasia and North America leading the markets, according to a recent report.

SERBIA: Delta Holding opens mineral water plant - report

12 September 2007

Delta Holding has opened a EUR20m (US$27.6m) non-carbonated mineral water bottling plant in Serbia, according to local reports.

US: A-B agrees beautiful deal with BORBA

21 August 2007

Anheuser-Busch has taken on the distribution and marketing of BORBA’s drinkable skincare line across the US and around the world.

The View from A Farr – Water hero!

9 August 2007

Following the recent floods in the UK, bottled water companies provided emergency supplies when mains water services broke down. Their largely unsung actions gave the companies a chance to demonstrate their social responsibility, writes Annette Farr, at a time when the erratic weather patterns have focused public attention on environmental concerns and climate change.

ANALYSIS - Coca-Cola sails into functional waters

29 May 2007

Coca-Cola’s US$4.1bn acquisition of Glacéau gives the company a presence in the growing enhanced waters sector where, writes Annette Farr, the soft drinks giant will be competing not only with smaller niche companies but also with its major rivals PepsiCo, Danone and Nestlé.