Refresco, the global independent beverage solutions provider, announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Telemark Kildevann Holding AS (“TKV”), a leading Norwegian beverage manufacturer. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval.
TKV is a family-owned manufacturer of soft drinks and bottled water, with two production facilities located in Fyresdal and Aurskog, Norway. The company maintains deep-rooted relationships with retailers and branded customers in Norway and Sweden, ensuring consistent, high-quality service and collaboration.
Refresco operates with 75 manufacturing facilities across Europe, North America, and Australia. With the acquisition of TKV, Refresco further strengthens its presence and operational capabilities to service customers across the Nordics, building on its existing footprint in Finland.
CEO Refresco, Hans Roelofs, commented: “The acquisition of TKV marks another milestone in the execution of our proven Buy & Build strategy, further reinforcing our presence in Europe. TKV’s loyal customer base, strong capabilities, and well-established market position enhances our ability to serve retailers and branded customers in Norway, Sweden and beyond. I look forward to welcoming over 60 employees to the Refresco team and further grow the business together.”
UNESDA Soft Drinks Europe, the European trade association representing the soft drink industry, announced the appointment of Andrew McMillin, President of Western Europe Operations at The Coca-Cola Company, as the new President of the association.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. McMillin stated: “I am honoured to lead UNESDA and represent some of the world’s most loved brands which provide European consumers with great-tasting drinks for all occasions and choices. The soft drinks sector plays an important role in supporting the European economy by providing over 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs, and creating 242 billion euros in value across its supply chain1. A recent report established the soft drinks industry is leading innovation in the food and beverage industry2. During my Presidency I will advocate for enabling EU policies that can further advance our sector’s innovation potential to foster growth, sustainability and resilience for our industry and the European economy.”
Mr. McMillin added: ‘’I welcome the new European Commission’s focus on competitiveness and its commitment to increasing stakeholder dialogue, while keeping environmental sustainability as a cornerstone of its strategy. Now more than ever it is imperative for the EU to implement science-based food policies that support consumers to adopt healthier diets while promoting fairness across the food supply chain.’’
Finally, Mr. McMillin commented: ‘’UNESDA is well-known for being a constructive stakeholder for EU policymakers and I am committed to building on this strong legacy of collaborative policy engagement. I will be working closely with our network of dedicated members and stakeholders, to bring the evolving needs of our consumers and the day to day reality of our operations to the fore in policy discussions, to ensure EU policy making is future proof.’’
Nicholas Hodac, director general of UNESDA, welcomed the new leadership: ‘’I am delighted that Andrew has assumed the presidency of UNESDA, at a time when its membership is growing. I very much look forward to working with him to drive our sector’s actions forward.’’
‘’I would also like to express my deepest gratitude to our outgoing President, Peter Harding, CEO of Suntory Beverage & Food International, for his exceptional leadership and unwavering support during his tenure. Peter skilfully guided us through a very dynamic EU mandate, helping us to strengthen our strategic direction and constructive credentials. As we move forward, we will ensure continuity in this important work to realise our priorities’’, Mr. Hodac noted.
Andrew McMillin is the President of West Europe Operations for The Coca-Cola Company. He is responsible for delivery of the P&L for the company’s full portfolio in the region, which serves over 350MM consumers in 14 countries.
Prior to assuming this role, he was the President and Chief Commercial Officer for Coca-Cola’s North American Operating Unit. Since joining Coke in 2001, Mr. McMillin has held a variety of consumer marketing, commercial and franchise leadership roles including SVP of the Coca-Cola brand portfolio, CMO of the North America Foodservice business, Account leader for Coca-Cola’s Inspire Brands account team, leadership of Coca-Cola’s Walmart / Sam’s marketing team, and oversight of retail shopper marketing function.
Prior to joining Coca-Cola, Mr. McMillin spent six years with the Ford Motor Company in various brand management and sales roles.
Mr. McMillin board experience includes his current chairmanship of the European Soft Drink Manufacturers Association (UNESDA), as well as, non-profit experience with Make a Wish Georgia.
An avid runner, Mr. McMillin just completed the 2024 NYC marathon. He holds a BA from Boston College and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School. He and his wife, Tricia, live in London, UK. They have two grown children, Jack and Meghan who both live in New York City.
1Source: Market data copyright held by GlobalData PLC. Check out the soft drinks sector’s contribution to Europe’s economy and society here.
2According to the 2024 FoodDrinkEurope Data & Trends Report, the soft drinks sector is the most innovative in the food and drink industry. Explore the full report here.
Mintel, the experts in what consumers want and why, has announced Global Packaging Trends for 2023, featuring a PESTEL analysis* that explores the macro-environmental factors impacting the packaging industry in 2023 and beyond.
David Luttenberger, CPPL, Global Packaging Director at Mintel, examined the political, economic, social, technological, environmental, and legal factors impacting global packaging evaluations, planning, and decision-making: “The decision to use a PESTEL analysis was based on the fact that currently there are so many extraordinary outside influences on package innovation and the packaging supply chain. Pressures from the environmental perspective, the conflict in Ukraine, global inflation, social issues, legal challenges, extended producer responsibility, and other forces mean packaging must navigate new and more challenging routes to market. The PESTEL format enables us to succinctly identify the opportunities and present clear recommendations to retailers, brand owners, and package manufacturers.”
Economic factors impacting packaging
“Economic uncertainty and the associated rising cost of goods have forced consumers to rethink budgets and discretionary spending. Across categories, brands are tapping messaging, technology, and retail strategies to show consumers how packaging can stretch a budget.
“Consumers will look to brands to help them overcome economic-induced stresses with products and packaging that mesh with purchasing abilities and reflect value without compromise. Offering packaging that represents financial value propositions, while not compromising quality, convenience, freshness, safety, and environmental responsibility, will be a differentiator in 2023 and beyond.”
Social factors impacting packaging
“From food shortages and ethical sourcing to responsible water and land use, consumers want to know more about the products they buy and the brands that produce them. In addition to achievements, brands and package manufacturers must be transparent about their weaknesses. Consumers are pursuing transparency through clearer labeling and what those claims mean for the greater good.
“In the future, packaging will paint a picture of a brand’s equity, which increasingly includes social and environmental capital. Consumers want to hear what companies have to say on controversial topics related to diversity, inclusion, and equity.”
Legal factors impacting packaging
“A myriad of laws have been enacted to protect consumers from deceptive or fraudulent business practices. New rules around the use of plastics and pollution-causing materials, as well as protecting human and planetary health, will greatly affect consumers. To get ahead and stay competitive, companies must get a firm grip on current and future legislation around plastics, PFAS, and EPR.”
“Consumers will rally behind legislation that benefits the environment. Their support will spur additional bans which will put significant cost pressures on manufacturers in their quest to meet mandates and find suitable, though more costly, alternatives.”
Packaging perspective of Mintel’s 2023 Global Trends
also discusses the packaging industry implications of the 2023 Global Food and Drink, Beauty and Personal Care, and Household Care Trends, including the future of packaging within these industries.
“The macro factors impacting packaging are universal across all end-use categories, including what my colleagues outline in Mintel’s 2023 Global Food and Drink, Beauty and Personal Care, and Household Care Trends. How the challenges manifest within each category varies, but the data, insights, and expert recommendations are applicable and actionable across all end-use categories, package formats, and regional markets,” continued Luttenberger.
Food and drink packaging trends
“Although costs of living are rising globally, consumers will not be motivated solely by low prices in 2023. They will find value in affordable food and drink that promises clarity, nutrition, and versatility. Package manufacturers must enable clear communication of added-value nutritional content and provide efficient portioning and product preparation. Clean packaging designs that highlight natural ingredients and health benefits will stand out to shoppers. In the future, brands seeking to be trusted partners in the kitchen need to take energy consumption into account and deliver packaging that enables energy-efficient cooking.”
Beauty and personal care packaging trends
“Post-pandemic consumers are seeking experimentation, social responsibility, and value from brands in-store and online. Package manufacturers must deliver physical, emotional, visual, digital, and environmental attributes that mesh with consumers’ changing lifestyles. Packaging remains not only a constant but an integral part of the beauty consumer experience—whether through new eco-responsible structures and materials, 100 % product evacuation dispensing systems, messaging about eco-attributes, or messaging about a brand’s values. Companies must create strategies that embrace next-generation package technologies to connect with consumers at retail, at home, and in any/all channels they prefer.”
Household care packaging trends
“The inward focus on one’s self and the planet has become intertwined with saving money in the household care space. That triad of forces has created new opportunities that will redefine the definitions of responsibility and value. Companies must invest in innovations that optimise such parameters as cube efficiency, weight reduction, materials management, extended shelf-life, and end-of-life or second-life scenarios. The key to delivering the next generation of household care packaging will be simple design, convenient dispensing, and an overt display of environmental and social responsibility.”
*A PESTEL analysis is a framework used to analyse and monitor the macro-environmental factors that have an impact on an organisation, company, or industry examining the Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal factors impacting global packaging evaluations, planning and decision-making.
