Reporting

Bolthouse CEO Ready for More M&A After Acquisition From Starbucks

By Shefali Kapadia After Bolthouse Farms announced plans to acquire Evolution Fresh from Starbucks, Bolthouse CEO Jeff Dunn described the purchase as a “perfect fit.” Evolution Fresh’s high-end portfolio would slot neatly into Bolthouse’s premium lineup of refrigerated juices and smoothies, Dunn told CPG Specialist. Bolthouse contracts rail service from Bakersfield, California, to Chicago, which would expand Evolution Fresh’s mostly West Coast distribution. And there’s plenty of runway… Read more
After years of ‘Made in China,’ supply chains consider alternatives

By Shefali Kapadia The “Made in China” label is ubiquitous in the United States, stamped on everything from industrial machinery to a pair of flip flops. But risks — from rising costs, to a trade war, to a pandemic — have prompted companies to rethink their relationships with suppliers and China. “We’ve realized that we put too… Read more
Mars Gears Up for a New CEO and Its Next Chapter

By Shefali Kapadia From the outside, it appears an ordinary day at Mars’ headquarters, just across the border fromWashington, D.C., in Virginia. But inside the corporation, change is afoot. The CPG is gearing up for one of its biggest shifts since 2014, as a new CEO prepares to take the helm. Inevitably, some degree of… Read more
Frito-Lay bucks the trend of supply chain simplification

By Shefali Kapadia When pandemic-driven lockdowns sent consumers home, Frito-Lay adjusted its inventory to meet increasing demand for its products. The snack brand temporarily culled about 21% of its SKU portfolio to keep its supply chain as efficient as possible and deliver its most in-demand products, said Laura Maxwell, senior vice president of supply chain… Read more
Transport execs confront high-stakes decision: remote, office or hybrid work?

By Shefali Kapadia USA Truck, like many businesses, went fully remote for office operations last spring when the pandemic prompted large-scale shutdowns. The decision was straightforward for most companies, as they put staff safety above all else. “When the pandemic hit … you have that ‘fight or flight’ button in your brain and say, ‘OK,… Read more
9 charts show the highs and lows of supply chains in Q1

By Shefali Kapadia and Matt Leonard The growth spurt in consumer spending that began last summer carried over into 2021, with knock-on effects to supply chains. Freight demand led to hikes in transportation prices and warehouse rents, alongside dips in capacity. And near the end of the quarter, a global disruption occurred: The Ever Given… Read more