Thread: Anyone here work/started a beverage co?

He is doing it on his own with some resources from the beer/wine vertical. He acquired another companies formula and then made some changes.

When I first started this thread this was the concept I was thinking of "Energy Water Enhancer"..........unlike 5 hour energy with this you would you mix what you need. I guess it was a good idea since MIO just launched it on Dec 20th....... 2012 the year of execution!

NORTHFIELD, Ill. -- Kraft Foods Inc. said that it is rolling out more than 70 new product innovations in response to consumer demand for simplified and smart meal solutions and robust new flavor combinations. And when it comes to enhancing the taste of their food and beverages, today's consumer wants a more customized experience, the company said.

In the beverage category, 2011's new water enhancer MiO has unveiled new MiO Energy Liquid Water Enhancer in Black Cherry and Green Thunder flavors. When one squirt--about half a teaspoon--of MiO Energy is mixed with eight ounces of water, the resulting beverage also has 60 milligrams of caffeine--about the same as a six-ounce cup of coffee--as well as B vitamins.

"We have certainly seen strong growth in the energy drink category," Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld told the Financial Times in early November when reports about the line extension first surfaced.

"We've had a smashing success with MiO, and I think this is the perfect platform for the category. "She added that MiO Energy would be targeted at "millennial" male consumers who tend to buy energy drinks at convenience stores. She also said that original MiO, which is a colored, calorie-free, flavored liquid that is added to water, is poised to generate $100 million in revenues for its first year on the market.

Consumers also can enjoy a new offering from Crystal Light--Energy Powdered Drink Mix in three varieties, including Citrus, Grape and Peach Mango On The Go.

Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods, with 2010 revenues of $49.2 billion, is a global snacks company with a portfolio of biscuits, confectionery, beverages, cheese, grocery products and convenient meals. Its major bands include Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oreo, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Tang and Trident.

You guys can feel free to PM me. I'm currently working in the beverage industry (ingredient supply side) and just attended a conference last month on the topic (covering distribution, brand building, marketing, etc). There is still some great potential out there but it's a very tough market to crack.

Chaseme would you be able to PM the name of conference you attended?

No problem - it's the BevNet Live event. There are two per year; one in LA (winter), the other in NY (summer).

There are a few videos from the event hosted on bevnet.com here. Including representatives from some of the most successful beverage brands (Monster, Sweet Leaf Tea part 1, Sweet Leaf Tea part 2).

Originally Posted by Chaseme

No problem - it's the BevNet Live event. There are two per year; one in LA (winter), the other in NY (summer).

There are a few videos from the event hosted on bevnet.com here. Including representatives from some of the most successful beverage brands (Monster, Sweet Leaf Tea part 1, Sweet Leaf Tea part 2).

Bevnet.com is awesome website with lots of great info, i have been reading it for a few years. I know the owners of a soda/beverage bottling plant in my town where i buy soda from for my food stands and i have considered doing a short run of my own beverage and just distributing it through my stands. The profit margins are huge from the research i conducted. Still would run around $7k knowing the guys but the profits on that investment based on selling them only at my carts were enough for me to want to take the risk.

Thanks to everyone on here for the awesome information!

Originally Posted by thechrismorales.com

Bevnet.com is awesome website with lots of great info, i have been reading it for a few years. I know the owners of a soda/beverage bottling plant in my town where i buy soda from for my food stands and i have considered doing a short run of my own beverage and just distributing it through my stands. The profit margins are huge from the research i conducted. Still would run around $7k knowing the guys but the profits on that investment based on selling them only at my carts were enough for me to want to take the risk.

Thanks to everyone on here for the awesome information!

$7K would include exactly?

Originally Posted by rossii

$7K would include exactly?

Maybe the packaging. Most fulfillment companies will not start their machines for less than $20k. Too much setup compared to how much they make. In my experience you can get one initial run done for the $20k range but then they are going to make you do larger runs. There is always the exception but that is what I've found. Then you have to have distribution boxes, distributors, POPS, Spiffs, warehousing, advertising, etc. It is not as easy as just running it and selling it. Wish it was.

That $7k was the price for them to bottle a run of cans for me using their formula with some tweaks. That was not including the price of the cans. I am friends with the owners daughter so they were eager to help me out. They have been bottling soda/water/juice for over 3 generations. I did not need warehousing because i have my own facility, or distribution because i was going to self distribute over my food locations first as a trail run. They bottle for a guy in NYC who is selling a funky kind of soda and he is doing really well. I still may go for it at some point, just requires a lot of work and if a distribution deal were to be had of course your talking more $$$ and time.