Supplier News Briefs
McKee Foods Targets C-Stores
McKee Foods Corp., makers of Little Debbie snack cakes, has created a new integrated marketing campaign designed to drive sales of Little Debbie single-serve snacks. The campaign targets males 18-49 that shop at convenience stores and are starved for time. TV spots begin this fall during 12 NASCAR events on NBC and TNT in addition to TNT's and TBS' regular programming cycles. The entire media schedule runs for nine months.
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Bullets Reimaging
Emergence Inc. entered into an agreement with Bullets Corp. of America to upgrade the brand's image. The effort will update all elements of the brand experience, from logo and signage to store interiors and packaging. Test stores featuring the new look will appear in selected markets by the first quarter of 2003.
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Coors Partners with viaLink
The viaLink Co. announced that Coors Brewing Co., a viaLink customer since 1999,had renewed and expanded its agreement for synchronization services to include the Molson network. No financial terms were disclosed. Last year Coors and Molson Inc. formed a joint venture to import, market, sell and distribute Molson's brands of beer in the U.S.
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Miller Giving Thanks
This Thanksgiving, Miller Lite will give legal-drinking age consumers a warm welcome home during its "Back In Town" promotion, an on-premise program featuring point-of-sale materials including wall decorations, table tents, imprint banners, blinking stickers, glasses, coasters, buckets and waitstaff aprons. Special to this year's program are sticky notes with spaces for phone numbers and addresses, so reuniting friends can update each other with personal information. All materials are available from Miller distributors only where legal.
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Glaceau Vitaminwater Growing
Glaceau Vitaminwater has expanded its line of 11 varieties to include three vitamin-enhanced teas. The new products are: determination, a raspberry tea plus glucosamine; leadership, a lemon tea plus inositol; and perseverance, a peach tea plus carnitine.
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California Grocers Association Selects Identico Systems
Identico Systems, a technology firm specializing in verifying consumer identity to reduce the risk involved in face-to-face transactions, has been selected by the California Grocers Association (CGA) to offer its True ID fraud prevention services. As part of the agreement, the True ID system will be available to CGA members at a special rate.
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Tanknology Announces Continuity Testing
Tanknology-NDE International Inc. announced the addition of continuity testing to its wide range of petroleum system service offerings. Continuity testing is designed to test the electrical continuity between the nozzle and the dispenser at refueling sites. Gasoline dispensing equipment that is improperly installed or compromised will not have an electrical path to discharge static electricity creating a potential ignition source at a refueling site.
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CMi Solutions Adds Hafer Petroleum Equipment
Hafer Petroleum LTD, a Pennsylvania petroleum equipment contractor has selected CMi's PriceBook Manager as a new product offering for distribution. PriceBook Manager provides centralized pricebook control and inventory management of item level scanning at single stores and multi-site chains.
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Blue Bunny Swings Forward
Wells' Dairy Inc., maker of Blue Bunny ice cream, and the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, helped construct a playground in Greenleaf Village, a mixed-income community with 310 units in West Dallas. "Blue Bunny is passionate about doing good things in communities in which they do business. By partnering with the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, KB Home homebuilders and KaBOOM! playground equipment, Blue Bunny is creating a place to let everyone be a kid again," the ice cream company said in a statement.
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APW Wyott Expands
APW Wyott/Bakers Pride acquired Bevles Co., a Chino, Calif.-based manufacturer of roasting, heating, holding and transport cabinets for the foodservice channel. Terms were not disclosed.
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POP Displays Renames
Known in the U.S. for over 50 years, POP Displays is now renamed Diam USA, having completed its integration with Diam International, a global display company, to become the largest retail merchandising solutions provider in the world.
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Fuel Rewards Reaches a Milestone
Fuel Rewards, a consumer rewards programs, announced that since January 2002, 16 million grocery shoppers have participated in the program receiving vouchers for more than $10 million in free gasoline. The redemption rate for Fuel Rewards vouchers is 20 percent -- nearly seven times higher than that of the average coupon. Now in more than 650 locations across the country, Fuel Rewards allows consumers to earn free gas rewards for purchasing specially marked products and meeting specific purchase requirements.
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In Zone's Halloween Treat
In Zone Brands has launched its second seasonal line of BellyWashers interactive beverages for kids, featuring Halloween characters atop an orange-flavored "Tricky Treat" vitamin-c fortified juice drink. Characters include a witch, a jack-o-lantern and a monster. Like all BellyWashers, the Halloween line is packaged in BellyWashers' signature dishwasher-safe, reusable and collectible bottles. Halloween BellyWashers also boast three different label designs randomly matched with three character toppers, giving kids nine combinations to collect.
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Oberto Honored
The Pacific Northwest Food Industries Circle will debut lifetime achievement awards this year to honor industry pioneers who have achieved extraordinary distinction. The awards will honor Oberto Sausage Co. CEO Art Oberto and Sakado Moriguchi, co-founder of the Uwajimaya Grocery Stores for their contributions to and leadership within the food industry. The awards will be presented at the Harvest Celebration Ball October 26.
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SAP Launches DSD Capability
SAP AG announced the launch of its direct-store delivery (DSD) capability for SAP Beverage. The new capability integrates beverage manufacturers' back-end IT systems with mobile devices to help field sales representatives and delivery drivers quickly respond to customer requests.
--
TNT's Snapshot
Convenience stores throughout the nation will be able to stock quality private label film with the brand name recognition of Polaroid as national independent convenience store broker TNT Marketing begins selling Polaroid brand 35 mm film and AGFA single-use cameras nationally.
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The Adventures of Michelob
Anheuser-Busch Inc. said its new low-carbohydrate beer, Michelob Ultra, would serve as a key sponsor for American adventurer Steve Fossett's challenges through 2004. Michelob ULTRA's support will feature brand identification on Fossett's high altitude glider and speed sailing programs, among other upcoming adventures, and the brand will have rights to use Fossett's likeness for promotional purposes.
--
Opto 22 and Nokia Team to Deliver Wireless Communications
Opto 22, a manufacturer of hardware and software products for remote monitoring and enterprise data acquisition, has teamed with Nokia, an expert in wireless mobility, to create, promote and market the first complete offering for providing wireless connectivity to external physical business assets.
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TotalFinaElf Goes with Radiant
Radiant Systems Inc., and TotalFinaElf, the world's fifth-largest integrated petroleum and energy company, reached an agreement for the purchase and deployment of Radiant 6e Enterprise Productivity Suite across TotalFinaElf's retail network in the United Kingdom and France. Subsequently, TotalFinaElf intends to deploy the solution in other European markets.
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Sea of Lemons
Ocean Spray's Ruby Lemonade grapefruit juice drink is now available in c-store, supermarket and specialty aisles nationwide, retailing for $3.29 per 64-oz. bottle. As a unique entry in the juice aisle, Ruby Lemonade grapefruit juice drink offers a new contemporary packaging in Ocean Spray's new Ripple Grip bottle.
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Hot Snacks
Snack Brands Co. has expanded its line of ready-to-eat popcorns. Since its launch in December 2000, the product line has expanded into the microwave popcorn category. The company's two newest items, introduced last month, are: Cheez-It White Cheddar Microwave Popcorn and Tabasco Cheese Microwave Popcorn.
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PDQ Issued Patent
PDQ Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer of touch free vehicle wash systems, has been issued a patent on one of its newest innovations, the Virtual Treadle. PDQ's Virtual Treadle features a driver-friendly open wash bay without guide rails or drive-on treadle that is as easy to drive into as a standard parking stall. It safely accepts vehicles with any wheel configuration including low-profile sport wheels, "dually" pick-up trucks, and oversized SUV tires.
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Concord, NCR to Provide ATM Services
Concord EFS Inc., an electronic commerce provider, has announced an agreement with NCR Corp. to extend some of the same newer functionality available through today's advanced ATM's to the convenience store ATM space. Software developed by iATMglobal, a wholly owned subsidiary of NCR, enables enhanced transactions to be conducted on entry-level ATMs, using the existing OS/2 operating system.
McKee Foods Corp., makers of Little Debbie snack cakes, has created a new integrated marketing campaign designed to drive sales of Little Debbie single-serve snacks. The campaign targets males 18-49 that shop at convenience stores and are starved for time. TV spots begin this fall during 12 NASCAR events on NBC and TNT in addition to TNT's and TBS' regular programming cycles. The entire media schedule runs for nine months.
--
Bullets Reimaging
Emergence Inc. entered into an agreement with Bullets Corp. of America to upgrade the brand's image. The effort will update all elements of the brand experience, from logo and signage to store interiors and packaging. Test stores featuring the new look will appear in selected markets by the first quarter of 2003.
--
Coors Partners with viaLink
The viaLink Co. announced that Coors Brewing Co., a viaLink customer since 1999,had renewed and expanded its agreement for synchronization services to include the Molson network. No financial terms were disclosed. Last year Coors and Molson Inc. formed a joint venture to import, market, sell and distribute Molson's brands of beer in the U.S.
--
Miller Giving Thanks
This Thanksgiving, Miller Lite will give legal-drinking age consumers a warm welcome home during its "Back In Town" promotion, an on-premise program featuring point-of-sale materials including wall decorations, table tents, imprint banners, blinking stickers, glasses, coasters, buckets and waitstaff aprons. Special to this year's program are sticky notes with spaces for phone numbers and addresses, so reuniting friends can update each other with personal information. All materials are available from Miller distributors only where legal.
--
Glaceau Vitaminwater Growing
Glaceau Vitaminwater has expanded its line of 11 varieties to include three vitamin-enhanced teas. The new products are: determination, a raspberry tea plus glucosamine; leadership, a lemon tea plus inositol; and perseverance, a peach tea plus carnitine.
--
California Grocers Association Selects Identico Systems
Identico Systems, a technology firm specializing in verifying consumer identity to reduce the risk involved in face-to-face transactions, has been selected by the California Grocers Association (CGA) to offer its True ID fraud prevention services. As part of the agreement, the True ID system will be available to CGA members at a special rate.
--
Tanknology Announces Continuity Testing
Tanknology-NDE International Inc. announced the addition of continuity testing to its wide range of petroleum system service offerings. Continuity testing is designed to test the electrical continuity between the nozzle and the dispenser at refueling sites. Gasoline dispensing equipment that is improperly installed or compromised will not have an electrical path to discharge static electricity creating a potential ignition source at a refueling site.
--
CMi Solutions Adds Hafer Petroleum Equipment
Hafer Petroleum LTD, a Pennsylvania petroleum equipment contractor has selected CMi's PriceBook Manager as a new product offering for distribution. PriceBook Manager provides centralized pricebook control and inventory management of item level scanning at single stores and multi-site chains.
--
Blue Bunny Swings Forward
Wells' Dairy Inc., maker of Blue Bunny ice cream, and the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, helped construct a playground in Greenleaf Village, a mixed-income community with 310 units in West Dallas. "Blue Bunny is passionate about doing good things in communities in which they do business. By partnering with the Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity, KB Home homebuilders and KaBOOM! playground equipment, Blue Bunny is creating a place to let everyone be a kid again," the ice cream company said in a statement.
--
APW Wyott Expands
APW Wyott/Bakers Pride acquired Bevles Co., a Chino, Calif.-based manufacturer of roasting, heating, holding and transport cabinets for the foodservice channel. Terms were not disclosed.
--
POP Displays Renames
Known in the U.S. for over 50 years, POP Displays is now renamed Diam USA, having completed its integration with Diam International, a global display company, to become the largest retail merchandising solutions provider in the world.
--
Fuel Rewards Reaches a Milestone
Fuel Rewards, a consumer rewards programs, announced that since January 2002, 16 million grocery shoppers have participated in the program receiving vouchers for more than $10 million in free gasoline. The redemption rate for Fuel Rewards vouchers is 20 percent -- nearly seven times higher than that of the average coupon. Now in more than 650 locations across the country, Fuel Rewards allows consumers to earn free gas rewards for purchasing specially marked products and meeting specific purchase requirements.
--
In Zone's Halloween Treat
In Zone Brands has launched its second seasonal line of BellyWashers interactive beverages for kids, featuring Halloween characters atop an orange-flavored "Tricky Treat" vitamin-c fortified juice drink. Characters include a witch, a jack-o-lantern and a monster. Like all BellyWashers, the Halloween line is packaged in BellyWashers' signature dishwasher-safe, reusable and collectible bottles. Halloween BellyWashers also boast three different label designs randomly matched with three character toppers, giving kids nine combinations to collect.
--
Oberto Honored
The Pacific Northwest Food Industries Circle will debut lifetime achievement awards this year to honor industry pioneers who have achieved extraordinary distinction. The awards will honor Oberto Sausage Co. CEO Art Oberto and Sakado Moriguchi, co-founder of the Uwajimaya Grocery Stores for their contributions to and leadership within the food industry. The awards will be presented at the Harvest Celebration Ball October 26.
--
SAP Launches DSD Capability
SAP AG announced the launch of its direct-store delivery (DSD) capability for SAP Beverage. The new capability integrates beverage manufacturers' back-end IT systems with mobile devices to help field sales representatives and delivery drivers quickly respond to customer requests.
--
TNT's Snapshot
Convenience stores throughout the nation will be able to stock quality private label film with the brand name recognition of Polaroid as national independent convenience store broker TNT Marketing begins selling Polaroid brand 35 mm film and AGFA single-use cameras nationally.
--
The Adventures of Michelob
Anheuser-Busch Inc. said its new low-carbohydrate beer, Michelob Ultra, would serve as a key sponsor for American adventurer Steve Fossett's challenges through 2004. Michelob ULTRA's support will feature brand identification on Fossett's high altitude glider and speed sailing programs, among other upcoming adventures, and the brand will have rights to use Fossett's likeness for promotional purposes.
--
Opto 22 and Nokia Team to Deliver Wireless Communications
Opto 22, a manufacturer of hardware and software products for remote monitoring and enterprise data acquisition, has teamed with Nokia, an expert in wireless mobility, to create, promote and market the first complete offering for providing wireless connectivity to external physical business assets.
--
TotalFinaElf Goes with Radiant
Radiant Systems Inc., and TotalFinaElf, the world's fifth-largest integrated petroleum and energy company, reached an agreement for the purchase and deployment of Radiant 6e Enterprise Productivity Suite across TotalFinaElf's retail network in the United Kingdom and France. Subsequently, TotalFinaElf intends to deploy the solution in other European markets.
--
Sea of Lemons
Ocean Spray's Ruby Lemonade grapefruit juice drink is now available in c-store, supermarket and specialty aisles nationwide, retailing for $3.29 per 64-oz. bottle. As a unique entry in the juice aisle, Ruby Lemonade grapefruit juice drink offers a new contemporary packaging in Ocean Spray's new Ripple Grip bottle.
--
Hot Snacks
Snack Brands Co. has expanded its line of ready-to-eat popcorns. Since its launch in December 2000, the product line has expanded into the microwave popcorn category. The company's two newest items, introduced last month, are: Cheez-It White Cheddar Microwave Popcorn and Tabasco Cheese Microwave Popcorn.
--
PDQ Issued Patent
PDQ Manufacturing Inc., a manufacturer of touch free vehicle wash systems, has been issued a patent on one of its newest innovations, the Virtual Treadle. PDQ's Virtual Treadle features a driver-friendly open wash bay without guide rails or drive-on treadle that is as easy to drive into as a standard parking stall. It safely accepts vehicles with any wheel configuration including low-profile sport wheels, "dually" pick-up trucks, and oversized SUV tires.
--
Concord, NCR to Provide ATM Services
Concord EFS Inc., an electronic commerce provider, has announced an agreement with NCR Corp. to extend some of the same newer functionality available through today's advanced ATM's to the convenience store ATM space. Software developed by iATMglobal, a wholly owned subsidiary of NCR, enables enhanced transactions to be conducted on entry-level ATMs, using the existing OS/2 operating system.