drinktec, the world’s leading tradeshow for the beverage and liquid food industry, will take place in Munich from Sept. 12 to 16. The show will highlight four main topics: sustainable production and packaging; consumer landscape and product design; water and water management; and digital solutions and digital transformation. Messe München is implementing these main topics throughout the event through special areas, the allocation of the exhibitors’ own offerings to these main topics, and expert sessions in the forums.

“drinktec is the only leading trade fair that brings the global industry together,” said Petra Westphal, drinktec exhibition director, in a statement earlier this year. “This is without a doubt our strength and that’s also what our exhibitors want and expect. drinktec is therefore a source of inspiration for the industry and deals with pressing topics such as sustainability, resource efficiency and digitalization. Another important aspect for our customers is the quality of the advice that — as we have discovered over the last two years — can only be ensured in person. Simply put, this industry lives on meeting, on personal contact and on global exchange.”

• For sustainable production and packaging, the tradeshow will address the following points:
• Reducing the CO2 footprint is the goal of many industry members.
• There are various opportunities for saving CO2 for each product group in the manufacture of beverages and liquid food.
• Main theme of sustainability in the drinktec Inspiration Hub.

Additionally, drinktec notes that partly due to the pandemic, consumers are increasingly on the lookout for healthy products and changing their consumption habits in favor of “free-from” and “clean-label” products. The question of personal well-being is becoming more and more of an everyday topic. These changes in consumers’ desires can also be seen by the beverage and liquid food industry at drinktec.

Meanwhile, because water is the No. 1 ingredient in beverage manufacturing and also is among the most important ingredients in the production of liquid food, the topics of water and water management have a major role on the agenda of this year’s drinktec, it notes.

Lastly, with digitalization and digital transformation as one of four main topics at drinktec 2022, the tradeshow for the beverage and liquid food industry offers broad views and focused approaches aimed at helping the industry become faster, achieve stronger results and intensify its focus on sustainable plant concepts in the next years.

drinktec 2022 brings together the full scope of innovation for the beverage and liquid food industry. In addition to the exhibitor portfolio, including a directory that lets visitors find providers of solutions to digitize production operations and their supply chain, visitors also can look forward to the supporting program when planning their visit. With presentations on the key topic of digitalization at the drinktec Inspiration Hub in Halls A3 and B3, exhibitors and visitors will have the opportunity for in-depth interaction.

Primo Water Corp. acquires Highland Mountain Water

Fresh Vine Wine Inc., Minneapolis, announced that its Fresh Vine Wine Rosé varietal is available for sale on display at more than 100 The Fresh Market grocery stores across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, Illinois and Massachusetts. Additional markets of Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia and Oklahoma also were activated. With the addition of The Fresh Market, Fresh Vine Wine has added 2,145 new points of distribution, it says.

Primo Water Corp., Tampa, Fla., announced that Primo Water North America (PWNA), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Primo, has acquired Highland Mountain Water, Atlanta. Highland Mountain Water is a leading independent distributor of Primo's Mountain Valley premium water brand.

“With more than 2,500 customers and a service area that includes a population of more than 4 million residents, Highland Mountain Water will fit seamlessly into the Primo family and align with our mission of inspiring healthier lives through better quality water,” said Tom Harrington, CEO of Primo Water Corp., in a statement.

“This acquisition fits within our existing footprint, expands distribution of our Mountain Valley premium water brand and furthers our vision of providing water solutions whenever, wherever and however our customers want them. Customers should expect the same great level of service they've been accustomed to, and we are excited to welcome these customers and associates to our Primo family,” Harrington continued.

Elmhurst 1925, Elma, N.Y., announced that three of its products ― Chocolate Milked Oats, Unsweetened Milked Oats and Unsweetened Milked Cashews ― now will be sold across all Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. “More than ever, shoppers are seeking plant-based alternatives with wholesome, recognizable ingredients,” said Heba Mahmoud, senior director of brand marketing at Elmhurst, in a statement. “We’re thrilled to expand the availability of our clean and simple products to Whole Foods shoppers nationally, especially in markets that we have yet to tap into in the U.S. We know these three core products will resonate with both plant-based lovers, and consumers who are new to the lifestyle.”

Trinity River Distillery, Fort Worth, Texas, announced the hiring of its new Master Distiller Brett Luchesi. Luchesi has been a part of the industry for 11 years, starting out with Ballast Point Brewing and Spirits in San Diego. He has played crucial roles in distillery build outs, design, layout, process piping, recipe formulation, spirit portfolio growth, large alcohol brand acquisitions, distillery consulting, and process efficiencies, the company says. “I am thrilled to be a part of Silver Start Spirits,” Luchesi stated. “It’s a tight knit team, they share my values in doing this the right way and making the highest quality products possible. My family and I are excited to be a part of the Fort Worth community.”

Positive Beverage, Newport Beach, Calif., announced James Harris as the brand’s new executive vice president of sales. Harris brings a focused sales tactic and bold vision for the company to elevate and accelerate the growth of the brand. “We’re thrilled to have James join our SoCal leadership team as we expand both reach and offerings to consumers as we position the brand for an exciting 2023 ahead,” said Zach Muchnick, founder of Positive Beverage, in a statement.

Heaven Hill, Bardstown, Ky., announced the succession of its third generation of family leadership with the appointment of Kate Latts and Allan Latts as co-Presidents, effective Sept. 1. Current President Max L. Shapira will assume the new role of executive chairman. “Over the past 20 years, I have been proud to watch Kate and Allan grow and develop into roles of leadership and increased responsibility,” Shapira said in a statement. “They have added immeasurably to the company’s successes and built a foundation for future generations. They bring the passion for this business that has been a hallmark of our company for 85 plus years. I am highly confident the best is yet to come.”