Coca-Cola Amatil, Schweppes and Lion have launched a Federal Court of Australia action to challenge the legal validity of the Northern Territory’s container deposit scheme. The beverage giants made an application to have the scheme removed in which they would no longer be required to pay the 10 cent refund per beverage container that is returned. A Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) spokesperson said that if the application is successful, CCA will move “quickly” to reduce the prices of its Northern Territory... ...Read more »

Schweppes Australia has launched a new ad campaign to promote the process which gives its soft drinks their “Schweppervescence.” The 60 second video advertisement features two people tumbling through mountains and forests to a dramatic soundtrack that ends with them landing in water and emerging to the surface with the caption “This is Schweppervescence.” Ben Goss, senior brand manager at Schweppes, told creative media outlet Mumbrella that Schweppes had always been about “the sensory experience.” “The... ...Read more »

The world’s largest beverage company, the Coca-Cola Company, has denied media reports that it has been in talks to acquire Monster Energy Corporation. Monster Beverage Corporation manufactures energy drinks and fruit drinks including Monster Energy. The company manufactures products both in the United States and internationally including Australia. Were it to go ahead, the acquisition would be one of the biggest in Coca-Cola’s history. In Australia, Monster Energy drinks are distributed... ...Read more »

Japanese beverage giant Asahi has announced takeover bids for two major Australasian beverage companies, P&N Beverages and Charlie’s Juices. Asahi, which purchased Schweppes in 2009, has entered into a binding agreement to purchase 100% of shares in P&N, which it will then divide, selling the company’s carbonated soft drinks and cordials arm on to Tru Blu Beverages, while retaining P&N’s water and juice businesses. The split comes as an attempt to appease the ACCC, which... ...Read more »

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has announced it will oppose the proposed acquisition of P&N Beverages Australia Pty Ltd by Asahi Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd. Asahi owns Schweppes Australia Pty Ltd, the second largest manufacturer of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) in Australia and the largest manufacturer of cordial. Its products include the Schweppes and Pepsi range of soft drinks, as well as the Cottee’s range of cordial. P&N is the third largest manufacturer of... ...Read more »

Schweppes Australia has added two new flavours to its family-favourite line, Schweppes Lemonade. Schweppes Limeade and Orangeade have no artificial colours or flavours and are sweetened with stevia, a natural plant extract, in addition to sugar, so contain absolutely no artificial sweetener. Schweppes said that using stevia as part of the sweetening of carbonated beverages is a “really exciting development”, representing “true innovation” in the beverages category. “Orangeade... ...Read more »

Schweppes has increased the prices of their beverages by up to 10 per cent, according to a report in The Age. Australia’s second largest soft drink beverage manufacturer will reportedly charge an extra 8-10%, representing their first price hike since 2007. Schweppes, which was purchased from Cadbury by Asahi for $1.185 million earlier this year, has denied suggestions from analysts that the rise was due to the Japanese brewing giant seeking to gain an immediate return on investment. The maker... ...Read more »

Coca-Cola Amatil’s Mother is now challenging V for top spot in the energy drink sector as Australia’s leading soft drink producer finally uses its distribution networks to capture a valuable slice of the market. After a failed launch over two years ago, the ‘new’ Mother was introduced with great success last July and, in the six months to March, shared the leading position in the grocery channel with V – each claiming a 30.1% share of the market. While taking off in... ...Read more »

Schweppes Australia, which was recently purchased by Asahi, has signed an agreement to sell the leading American energy drink in Australia. Monster Energy, owned by Hansen Natural, will be launched by Schweppes on July 1, adding to the growing list of brands in the burgeoning Australian energy drink sector. Last year, Coca-Cola Amatil showed the potential for new entrants with strong distribution networks with the successful relaunch of Mother gaining market share from leaders V and Red Bull, while... ...Read more »

Asahi’s acquisition of Schweppes is now complete, with the A$1.185 million deal going through on Friday. Todd Stitzer, CEO of Cadbury, said the UK-based firm decided to sell the Schweppes business last year to focus all attention on their extensive confectionery portfolio. “The successful sale of Schweppes Australia has completed Cadbury’s transformation into a pure-play total confectionery business,” he noted. “Cadbury is now well positioned with a clear strategy to... ...Read more »