We noticed something interesting printed on the sodas that were on the table at an all day workshop we attended (as consultants) yesterday. The Pepsi cans say New York (and they were ‘bottled’ in New York state too).

PepsiCo has opened the first ‘green’ plant in the industrial center of Chongqing, China. Meeting the standards of the U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED),  it is the first of six planned plants over the next two years.  The plant uses over 35 water and energy saving designs and utilizes the world’s most advanced technology, including an environmental management system that monitors water and energy use on every production line and every piece of individual equipment in real time. Water is reused for landscaping and cleaning, natural lighting dominates 75% of the interior  and the [...]

One of the biggest factors that hinder change at large beverage companies is the cost to alter the bottling process. Often the bottling companies have contracts that are tied up for years to deliver so many of a certain drink in a certain size. PepsiCo seem to have taken steps to change the status quo with the $6bn purchase of two of largest bottlers and therefore have greater control over its product sales in North America. The Financial Times reports:
If the acquisitions go ahead, PepsiCo will handle the distribution of about 80 per cent of its total North American beverage [...]

The beverage aisle just keeps on getting more complicated. In the last two years companies have put their new product development on hyper drive and the beverage segment has fractured more and more. In the last few months, though, consumers are finding it even more difficult to find their favorite refreshments— this time due to rebranding. Companies are implementing new ways to keep their brands enticing during this recession, and many are turning to new packaging.
Here we look at some of our favorite drinks, what they’ve become, and the reaction to the changes.
Pepsi Co. has lead the way with its [...]