New Zealand-based beverage company Frucor, maker of V energy drink, has announced that its Managing Director, Mark Cowsill, will retire after 18 years with the company at the end of May 2011. Cowsill has been the guiding influence behind Frucor’s remarkable transition from a small New Zealand juice business, to an approximately $400 million international total-beverage business, purchased in 2009 by Japanese beverage giant Suntory. “This growth has been achieved through strong leadership... ...Read more »

Frucor Beverages today announced that Australasia’s most popular energy drink, ‘V’, will soon be available in Spain, thanks to a partnership with Frucor’s sister company, Orangina Schweppes. Frucor Managing Director Mark Cowsill says launching ‘V’ to the Spanish market is another significant step towards achieving Frucor’s plan to make ‘V’ a global brand. “V is a truly Kiwi innovation and it has enjoyed huge success in New Zealand and Australia. In fact I believe it is... ...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 »

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that exposure to taurine and d-glucuronolactone through regular consumption of energy drinks was not of safety concern. The research was conducted in response to a request from the European Commission, EFSA’s Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS). The evaluation follows a risk assessment on these two substances carried out by the EU’s former Scientific Committee on Food (SCF) in 2003. The ANS Panel considered... ...Read more »

Groupe Danone has successfully completed the sale of its drinks subsidiary Frucor, based in New Zealand and Australia, to Japanese-based Suntory. The deal had been struck in October for an amount of over €600 million in cash (around A$1.2b) after a bidding battle began in September, with Coca-Cola Amatil and Fraser & Naeve reportedly among the unsuccessful bidders.”This divestment stems from Danone’s recent refocus on natural mineral water and spring water based beverages and will... ...Read more »

Japanese-based Suntory Limited has signed an agreement with Danone Asia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Groupe Danone, to purchase their beverage business Frucor. The sale was completed for an amount of over €600 million (about A$1.2b). Danone announced a review of Frucor, their Australian and New Zealand-based beverage business, in August as they continued to refocus on becoming a health and wellness company. They began the bidding process in September with a number of suitors reportedly keen... ...Read more »

Frucor, Groupe Danone’s Australian and New Zealand beverage business, has reportedly drawn the attention of a number of trade suitors as private equity firms drop out of the bidding. Danone has not yet officially put Frucor on the market but they announced a thorough review was underway in August and, with their recent refocus on health and wellness products, speculation of a sale has been strong. Frucor, New Zealand’s second largest non-alcoholic beverage manufacturer, is valued by analysts... ...Read more »

Red Devil, a premium energy drink amongst the top three in the energy category in the US and a number of European countries, is set to launch in Australia and New Zealand before the end of the year. The first shipment will go on sale in the ACT and WA later this month and will add another competitor to the increasingly lucrative sector. The Frucor-owned ‘V’ remains the market leader in Australia from Red Bull, with Coca-Cola Amatil finally starting to make inroads thanks to the relaunch... ...Read more »

Reports suggest that strong interest has been generated in both the potential sales of Cadbury’s Australian beverage division and Frucor – owned by Danone. Companies consistently linked to bids have included P&N Beverages, Coca-Cola Amatil and National Foods, although competition concerns could play  a factor in the process, with Coca-Cola Amatil likely to be the most heavily scrutinised by the ACCC – according to analysts. Groupe Danone reported at the end of August that a... ...Read more »

Groupe Danone, in response to speculation that a sale of their Australasian beverage group Frucor in on the horizon, has reported that a review of the company has been initiated. “Over the last six years, Frucor has played an instrumental role in the development of Danone’s strategy for beverages,” the company said in a statement. “In light of the Group’s recent refocus on purity and naturality within its Waters division, Danone is conducting a thorough review of all... ...Read more »