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As brands expand their portfolios to include a variety of beverages, they require automated mixing and blending systems that are flexible enough to handle different types of batches efficiently.

When it comes to beverage operations, worker safety is one of the most important factors for companies to consider.

Last year was a record year for automated guided vehicles (AGVs), with AGV system sales reaching $140 million, according to the Material Handling Institute (MHI).

The beverage industry alone consumed 76 trillion British thermal units (BTUs) of energy in 2010, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Celebrity-centric blog spots have led to a proliferation of rumors — whether true or not — surrounding those in the public eye. Although this sort of proliferation usually is met with disdain and resistance, SKU proliferation within the consumer packaged goods (CPG) market is fueling a marketplace full of choices.

After three years of planning, Ninkasi Brewing Co. opened its expanded Eugene, Ore., brewery and brewed its first batch of beer in the facility in late March. The brewery worked with ecoReal Solutions, Portland, Ore., to add numerous sustainability features to the brewery, setting it on the path to reach Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the company says.

Upon entering the century-old F.X. Matt Brewing Co. offices in Utica, N.Y., visitors are greeted with Victorian-era furnishings, including an old bank teller counter with a slanted bottom to accommodate women’s hoop skirts. Historic furnishings like this continue throughout the 400,000-square-foot campus. However, despite its historical appearance, the facility offers many modern touches.

Although many people think of the automotive industry first when they hear the phrase “aftermarket parts,” almost every industry has some form of aftermarket presence, and the beverage industry is no exception, says Joseph Stroup, director of business development for FBN Inc., Plainwell, Mich.

Accumulating 130 additional SKUs within the last five years to reach nearly 500 total SKUs, Beverage Industry Bottler of the Year Swire Coca-Cola USA was pressed to find a warehousing solution to accommodate this proliferation.

As beverage-makers continue to expand their brands with new variations and launch new products into the marketplace, lab testing equipment retains its ever-important role in the industry.