Glacier Water Closes Mexico Operation
ervices here, the leading provider of drinking water through self-service vending in supermarkets, has decided to close its Mexico operation. "Despite our best efforts, the financial model in Mexico City does not work at this time," said Jerry A. Gordon, president and chief executive officer. For the six-month period ending July 2, 2000, Glacier Mexico had $246,000 in revenues and experienced a net loss of $558,000, the company said.
Glacier expects to report significant non-recurring restructuring charges commencing in the third quarter ending Oct. 1. Glacier has more than 13,000 vending machines located primarily in the Sunbelt and Midwest.
Heavy Sales for Light Beer
STAMFORD, Conn. -- Beck's North America here reported strong initial sales of Beck's Light, which rolled out nationally in March. The German beer importer said that across-the-board sales of Beck's Light have been on or above projections, with some markets, such as Chicago, Orlando and Miami, reporting stellar retail sales.
Rainer Meyrer [cq] executive vice president of marketing for Beck's North America, said that retail tracking studies in June showed that in Orlando and Miami, Beck's Light outsold Amstel Light and substantially increased its volume on Corona Light. In Miami, Beck's Light has established an 18% case share of import lights sold in the grocery channel.
Liquid Lunch for Sam Adams
BOSTON -- Samuel Adams beer, brewed by The Boston Beer Company here, has bested European brews in 30 different taste tests in various U.S. cities. In each of ten cities on the "Liquid Lunch" tour, three Samuel Adams beers and two local microbrews were paired one-on-one with leading international beers with equivalent style and class. Samuel Adams beers were preferred over the imports in 30 blind taste-offs, and local American craft brews from each of the ten host cities also came out on top in 19 out of 21 tastings. Tour stops included Philadelphia, Minneapolis, Denver, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Atlanta, Baltimore, and ended in Boston.
Cadbury Schweppes' Brock Named Exec of the Year
NORTHBROOK, Ill. -Beverage Industry magazine here announced that John Brock, chief operating officer of Cadbury Schweppes plc, has been named its 2000 Executive of the Year. "He's a straight shooter who has done an outstanding job of building morale at Cadbury Schweppes and throughout the independent system," said Tom Bachmann, publisher of Beverage Industry and co-chairman of the committee responsible for naming Brock. "He's largely responsible for Cadbury Schweppes remaining in the beverage industry in the United States, and bottlers have a tremendous amount of respect for him," said Bachmann, adding that Brock, who has been with Cadbury Schweppes since 1983, has been credited with helping to shape the independent soft drink bottling industry in the U.S. He will be featured as the cover story in Beverage Industry's November issue.
Display Technologies' Rack Increases Sales for Glaceau Water
COLLEGE POINT, N.Y. -- When Energy Brands here wanted to achieve increased visibility and display space on the retail level in a manner consistent with the premium image of its Glaceau bottled water brands, the company developed the "Glaceau Water and Hydro Set," a customized TechStoc Optimizer Rack from Display Technologies, also based here. Display Technologies also recently purchased Trade Fixtures, Little Rock, Ark., from James N. Elmore, who remains on as consultant. Trade Fixtures supplies a variety of bins and drawers to supermarkets for bulk grains, nuts and beans and also pasta. Glaceau Water and both other companies were at the recent Natural Products Expo East, Baltimore.
According to J. Darius Bikoff, president of Energy Brands, "we were very impressed with Display Technologies' willingness to work with us and create something completely new and unique in the market." The merchandiser, which assembles vertically as an upright floorstand, is modular and enables the retailer to interconnect as many racks as needed, in multiple configurations throughout the store location. The merchandiser features an angular design, with the brand name and logo printed on a custom-frosted header.
Case Noble Tequilas Dominate First U.S. Spirits Competition
LOS ANGELES -- Casa Noble, producers of boutique tequila imported by Los Angeles-based Vamonos Rapido, established itself among the world's finest tequila distilleries at The San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the first comprehensive, international spirits judging ever in the United States, held in San Francisco, September 15-17.
Casa Noble received a total of three medals, more than any other competitor in its category and one of the few brands entered in the competition so honored. In the Silver/Gold Tequila category, Casa Noble Crystal Tequila ($40) received Double Gold, the highest medal awarded by the competition and one reserved for those spirits that received a unanimous vote for a Gold Award by a particular panel of judges. In the same category, Casa Noble Gold Tequila 2 Months ($45) received a Silver Award, presented to spirits that received a consensus vote for that award.
In the Anejo Tequila category, Casa Noble Anejo Tequila 5 Years ($85) received a Gold Award also presented to spirits that received a consensus vote. Casa Noble's boutique tequila is produced using carefully selected 10-year-old blue agave plants that meet strict requirements for water and high sugar content. They slow cook the agave hearts for 38 hours in stone ovens. Ten stainless steel fermentation vats, alembic pot stills, a sophisticated filtration system as well as a water treatment plant are used for the production of these tequilas. Only French white oak barrels are used for aging and only natural existing yeast from the plants is used in the fermentation process.
An offshoot of the highly-regarded San Francisco International Wine Competition, the World Spirits Competition attracted more than 1,000 spirit brands from around the world entered in 43 categories and evaluated by a distinguished panel of 30 judges. Executive Director Anthony Dias Blue is Wine and Spirits Editor of Bon Appetit magazine and director of the San Francisco International Wine Competition, now in its 20th year. Find complete results at http://www.sfspiritscomp.com.
Casa Noble currently produces four, triple-distilled 100 percent blue agave boutique tequilas: Crystal, Gold, Reposado and a very limited Anejo matured in French white oak barrels for five years. Imported by Los Angeles, Calif.,-based Vamonos Rapido, Casa Noble was introduced to the United States in 1997 and is available in 20 states, internationally in Europe, South America, the Far East/Asia and Canada. For more information visit, http://www.casanoble.com.
Ginger Beer Named 'Outstanding'
MONTEREY, Calif. -- Royal Pacific Foods took top beverage honors at The Fancy Food Show in New York in July, under its Ginger People brand. Royal Pacific's natural, non-alcoholic ginger beer was named "Outstanding Beverage" and competed against companies from throughout the United States and Europe. The NASFT competition is regarded as the most prestigious in the specialty food and beverage industry.
The Ginger People's Ginger Beer is made from real ginger juice that the company presses at its juicing facility in Salinas, Calif. The beer is bottled at a micro-brewery in Berkeley, Calif. To learn more, visit www.gingerpeople.com.
Distributor Presents Alternative Beverages
MODESTO, Calif. -- The Natural Group here, distributor European imports, says drinking habits are changing rapidly as consumers move away from spiritous drinks and head toward beverages with little or no alcohol. Stronger drinking-and-driving regulations, lifestyle changes, personal image and general moderation contribute to this trend, the company says. It handles Ame, an award-winning wine alternative; Ame Celebration, Duchy, Duchy Originals, Aqua Libra, Apres, Purdey's Elixir Vitae,a lightly sparking multi-nutrition fruit drink with 16 key vitamins and herbal extracts; Norfolk Punch, Hildon Natural Mineral Water and Duchy Originals Organic Lemon Refresher, based on a recipe used by the Prince of Wales' chefs at Highgrove, Prince Charles' estate in Gloucestershire, England. All of Duchy Originals' profits are donated to The Prince of Wales' Charitable Foundation.
