Sparkling hydration: Glanbia lands distribution deal for energy drinks subsidiary Optimum Nutrition

10 Dec 2019 --- Optimum Nutrition’s parent company Glanbia Performance Nutrition has entered into an agreement with Kalil Bottling Company to expand the reach of its energy drinks range. Essential Amin.O. Energy Plus Electrolytes Sparkling Hydration Drink is marketed as a lightly carbonated, grab-and-go beverage for anytime energy. Since its debut, the range was available in convenience store chains across the US and is touted as containing functional ingredients that support energy, focus, performance and endurance.

“The agreement makes it easier for consumers to access high-quality performance nutrition offerings in grocery and convenience stores and advances our goal of product accessibility for anyone interested in a wellness lifestyle,” says Sara Teeter, Director of Brand Marketing for Optimum Nutrition.

“The range has delivered impressive sales per distribution point in the US convenience channel over the past year,” notes Jean Terminiello, North American Director of Immediate Consumption for Glanbia. “This agreement allows Kalil and Optimum Nutrition to seize the enormous performance energy growth opportunity by expanding the range’s availability throughout the market.”

The range offers a combination of 100 mg of caffeine derived from natural sources such as green tea and green coffee bean extract, 5 g of amino acids and electrolytes.Functional hydration and energy-boosting beverages are indeed enjoying a surge in popularity. Among the most trending ingredients are holistic options such as green tea and ginseng, as well as brain-boosting herbs like ashwagandha and bacopa. CBD is also seeing exponential growth in NPD and NutritionInsight previously reported on the ingredient’s appeal in beverage applications.

Essential Amin.O. Energy Plus Electrolytes is available in eight fruit flavors, such as cherry, blueberry, watermelon, strawberry and apple. It offers a combination of 100 mg of caffeine derived from natural sources such as green tea and green coffee bean extract, 5 g of amino acids and electrolytes. Each 12 ounce can contains less than five calories, zero sugar and no artificial colors.

The product line provides a point of difference and complements Kalil’s robust line-up of performance beverages, according to John Kalil, President of Kalil Bottling Company.

“Optimum Nutrition is a growing brand, and we are rapidly generating excitement for Amin.O. Energy throughout the marketplace. We anticipate great success as we create value for our retailers by helping them capture the significant performance energy category growth,” notes Ray Wheeler, Vice President of Marketing at Kalil.

Kalil services account for all traditional channels of trade operating out of four locations across the Southwest, in the US. The company’s track record of building brands with great customer service will expand Optimum Nutrition’s line’s presence in the Southwestern US market, the company notes.

By Kristiana Lalou