News briefs: Red Bull, Diageo and easy-carry vodka

By Neil Merrett

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Red bull Caffeine Coca-cola Federal trade commission Diageo

This week, Red Bull launches a new natural cola brand as a first
step away from energy drink production, Diageo receives a setback
in its vodka expansion plans and a US-based vodka manufacturer
launches a new bottle with a built in handle.

Red Bull makes cola move ​ Energy drink manufacturer red bull could be set to expand beyond its flagship beverage by launching a new cola onto the market, which it claims will contain only natural ingredients, according to news reports. The Simply Cola brand will be launched onto the UK market from next month to be sold as an 'all natural' alternative to existing cola brands, according to the publication Brandweek. The product contains ingredients like kola nut and coca leaf in place of a number of additives used in rival products, the report claims. Diageo receives Vodka buy setback ​ Diageo has been asked by regulators to supply further information regarding its plans to form a joint venture with manufacturer Nolet to market and distribute its Ketel One vodka brand, over anti-trust concerns. The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has asked for additional details about the deal, in a move that will set back the company's plans for expansion in the premium sprits market, which it had expected to complete by 31 March. The calls by the FTC for further information, known as a 'second request', could ensure an additional thirty day wait for Diageo before it can potentially receive approval to move ahead with the deal. Diageo said it would cooperate fully with the request. The company announced last month that it had agreed to purchase a 50 per cent stake in a newly formed venture with the Nolet family for $900m, in order to market and distribute the Ketel One vodka brand globally. The group said that the move would allow it to enter the high-growth market particularly in the US for premium spirits. McCormick launches handle bottle for spirits ​ A vodka manufacturer is hoping to get to grips with a new packaging design for its 1.75 litre vodka bottles, by including a built in handle for the product. US-based McCormick Distilling Group says it has worked for two years in cooperation with packager Amcor to devise the new Polyethylene terephthalate​ (PET) packaging in an attempt to boost sales of its McCormick Vodka. According to the company, the lightweight bottle with built in handle is a first for the sprits industry, making use of entirely new production equipment form Amcor.

Related topics Manufacturers Diageo

Related news

Show more