Articles by Barbara Harfmann

If you’re like me — and roughly one in three Americans — January is the time of new possibilities. Many choose to start the new year with a clean slate and make resolutions for various reasons.

In 1947, six employees in a wooden World War II Army hangar in Mississippi began distributing Canada Dry products. Today, that small operation has grown into a three-generation, family-run PepsiCo Inc. franchise with 328 SKUs.

The process to take a beverage concept and bring it to fruition includes numerous checks and balances throughout the formulation, packaging and distribution operations.

The holidays are here, and time with family and friends spent over food and drinks is a big part of many gatherings. Beverage brands also hop on the holiday bandwagon by displaying festive flavors in brightly colored packaging to entice consumers.

From tasting freshly squeezed Florida orange juice as a young boy to driving past rows of almond trees in blossom en route to his Bakersfield, Calif.-based plant, Califia Farms’ Founder and Chief Executive Officer Greg Steltenpohl derives inspiration from smelling and tasting new innovations, while listening to and leading a team of passionate employees.

Price often plays a role for consumers when choosing a beverage brand, and many budget-conscious consumers seek out private-label brands for their value based on cost and quality.

Time is a valuable commodity for busy beverage warehouses with an ever-increasing number of SKUs.

SKU proliferation not only is increasing the number of products on retail shelves, it also is helping to fuel the beverage packaging markets.

When formulating beverages, it’s important to consider that color not only contributes to product attractiveness, but can influence consumers’ purchasing decisions as they scan the aisles for products with “clean labels” and more “natural” ingredients.