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If you are new to the beverage industry and are trying to figure out the drink manufacturing process, then it is important for you to know a little more about the history of mainstream beverage. We have summarized the most important parts for you here, take a few minutes to read this page or contact us and we will be happy to discuss your new beverage concept with you. The first consult with one of our business development experts is free and will offer you some good options for getting started in this dynamic and ever evolving industry.

The drink manufacturing process in the United States, EU and Asia is one of the most efficient manufacturing processes in the world. Because of the enormous scale of the drink industry, American, European and Asian drink manufacturers have become increasingly better equipped to manufacture drinks at high speed and low cost. As a drink manufacturer in these regions you are exposed to the largest beverage markets in the world.

Drink manufacturing can trace its origins to the very dawn of civilization as far back as man has recorded its history we have been drink manufacturers. Back then drink manufacturers were simply tea brewers, wine growers and home industries developing and manufacturing a little more than they could consume themselves and selling it. A drink manufacturer might supplement his income in this way.

Over the years the process of drink manufacturing became more streamlined and drink manufacturing was performed on a much larger scale. Farms to grow the grapes that could be pressed into wine were established, tea plantations and facilities to process the tea were founded and other ways of large scale drink manufacturing were created. A drink manufacturer was capable of producing product for a whole region by this stage.

Fast forwarding to the modern era and you have early days of Coca-Cola, which was founded in 1886, to became one of the first major international drink manufacturers.

      Over the years there were several milestones in the drink industry:

	In 1966 Gatorade was born the worlds first popular sports drink. Drink manufacturing would never be the same. In 1971 Starbucks emerged and Seattle would become another turning point for the drink industry. In 1972 a couple of natural food store owners wondered if a healthy drink industry would be possible? The answer was yes and Snapple was created, it has kept drink manufacturers busy for over 35 years. Although there was plenty of fresh water flowing through the taps in America in 1978 Perrier and Evian became the first widely available bottled waters. In 1980 the only way to get fresh juice was to squeeze it yourself. Odwalla one of the leading innovators in the drink industry would change that for the better. 1981 was the year Red Bull energy drink started its iconic rise to become one of the most successful drink manufacturers in history. In 1982 Diet Coke became the nation's favorite diet soda. In 1992 Pepsi-Cola revolutionized drink distribution by including Lipton and Ocean Spray as part of its drink distribution strategy. In 1995 Pepsi introduced Aquafina and Coca-Cola introduced Dasani, bottled water one of the largest segments of the drink industry was here to stay. In 1996 Sobe defined the functional drink category. 2007 Coca-Cola buys Vitamin Water for a record 4.1 billion dollars and the drink industry keeps growing.

As it stands today Coca-Cola is still the largest soft drink manufacturer in the world. While many different categories make up the American beverage product picture, carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) and their diet counterparts continue to be some of the most popular, hence the extensive network of soft drink manufacturers. Since the early days of our nation’s history, carbonated soft drinks have occupied a unique place in the hearts, minds and palates of the American consumer and this was all made possible by our nations soft drink manufacturers.

The term soft drink is derived from the phrase “soda water,” dating back to 1798. At that time, soft drink creation and soda fountain manufacturing were handled by local pharmacists because of their experience with chemistry and medicine. In 1835, the first bottled soda water was produced in the United States. This marked the start of carbonated soft drink manufacturing.

As the local drugstore evolved into the central attraction in most American towns and neighborhoods, the pharmacist was integral in providing beverages that were part pharmacology and part refreshment. Soft drink manufacturing was part art and part science back then.

By 1876, root beer entered the marketplace, but it wasn’t until five years later that the first cola-flavored beverage was unveiled. Soft drink manufacturers were about to become very busy.

It would be more than 70 years before the first “official” diet soft drink was introduced in 1952, this marked a significant change for the soft drink manufacturing industry. In 1958, RC Cola introduced Diet Rite®, the first nationally distributed diet soft drink. Tab, Fresca® and Diet Pepsi® entered the marketplace in the 1960s; Sugar-free 7UP was introduced in 1970; and Diet Coke® made its debut in 1982. Soft drink manufacturers were in full stride by this point.

According to Beverage Digest, in 2006 the U.S. carbonated soft drink market totaled 10.16 billion cases. Most of which was produced by the American soft drink manufacturing industry.

To learn more about how you can start your own drink company now, contact Power Brands,
Americas' leading drink industry consulting and management company.