Latest news with #RamKrishnan
Forbes
22-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
$40 Billion Of M&A In 4 Years But More ‘May' Follow, Says Emerson COO
(AP Photo: Tom Gannam) Despite having made $40 billion worth of acquisitions over the last four years, global industrial automation and technology giant Emerson (NYSE: EMR) may not be quite done yet, according to the company's chief operating officer Ram Krishnan. Some of the company's recent big ticket buys include automated test equipment and virtual instrumentation software company National Instruments for $8.2 billion, in 2023, and industrial software leader AspenTech with the deal valued at $7.2 billion, earlier this year. In an exclusive interview on Thursday, on the sidelines of Emerson Exchange, the company's annual leadership event in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., Krishnan said building further operating strength focused on Emerson's core competencies - i.e., process hybrid industries around production automation, and test and measurements - would remain a key driver. "It's not about elevated levels of M&A spending by us but the quest for the right kind of asset. Our acquisition strategy will be centered on both our core domains and what high quality assets we can bring in to the Emerson family. "On the production automation side, certainly we've got already have a very comprehensive scope in terms of pressure, temperature, level flow instrumentation, analyzers, control valve, pressure relief valves, isolation valves - you name it. So, I don't see a lot of opportunity for us or the need to build out that capability. 'Certainly there are elements in the research and development side in the automated test sphere where we may consider acquisitions. However, bulk of our moves would all likely be around optimization and software that would augment our vision of the enterprise operations platform and further our core ambition of boundless automation. Anyone who knows us, knows that's a clear area of focus for us,' Krishnan said. With the big two industrial software vendors in the space - AVEVA and AspenTech - already having been acquired by Schneider Electric and Emerson respectively, the market's focus is turning to another leading industrial software firm Cognite. Ram Krishnan, chief operating officer of Emerson speaks at Emerson Exchange 2025 in San Antonio, ... More Texas, U.S. Krishnan declined comment on whether Emerson would be interested in Cognite. 'We have certain targets in mind and I would not like to go into specifics. Doubtless, our competitors have their own wish lists.' Unsurprisingly, as the industrial software and automation market heats up, Emerson may be leading the pack on valuation, but the likes of ABB, Honeywell, Siemens, Schneider and Yokogawa have not held back in recent years either. Krishnan noted: "Given that context, our move for AspenTech should not come as a surprise. Software and industrial optimization is a domain that industrials cannot ignore because ultimately in any technology stack – you've got to have hardware and software. 'But the vision for most would be software defined hardware advantaged. You've got to have the best-in-class software to generate the data, and perform the measurement or actuation function.' Krishnan said the value for customers unlocking higher productivity, reliability, safety and sustainability would come through software, artificial intelligence, the industrial internet of things, and the 'ability to covert data into actionable insights.' Emerson's ultimate objective, Krishnan added, is to help its customers and the wider industrial and manufacturing complex move operations from what is today 'a digitally connected plant to one that is self optimizing" and autonomous. To that end, Emerson launched its enterprise operations platform named 'Project Beyond' on Monday, which is being tipped as the "industry's first software-defined, operational technology-ready digital platform' that will deploy and manage its suite of new artificial intelligence applications and models. 'Project Beyond is the latest in a line offerings from us promising customers software defined, enterprise level execution on the road towards autonomy, which I believe will unlock a lot of value for our customers,' the Emerson COO concluded.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inside Poppi's push into gaming as prebiotic soda marketing bubbles up
This story was originally published on Marketing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Marketing Dive newsletter. PepsiCo is officially in the prebiotic soda market: the food and beverage giant this week finalized its $1.95 billion acquisition of Poppi, one of the brands that has helped propel the functional beverage category that is forecast to reach $62 billion in sales by 2027 from $50 billion in 2022. '[Poppi's] rapid growth, strong consumer engagement, and differentiated functional positioning make it a dynamic addition to our portfolio. We are excited to scale poppi's momentum and unlock new growth through our capabilities — we're just getting started,' said Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S., in a press statement announcing the deal's closure. PepsiCo called out Poppi's 'community- and culture-first approach,' inclusive of its social media presence, viral TikTok campaigns and influencer partnerships that have helped the brand engage crucial Gen Z and millennial audiences. That marketing strategy was on full display last month with the launch of Poppi's latest flavor, Alpine Blast. With a citrus taste, 55mg of caffeine and its mountainous moniker, Alpine Blast appears to be the latest prebiotic soda to take on PepsiCo's Mountain Dew, following a cheeky campaign from competitor Olipop around its Ridge Rush product. With the introduction of Alpine Blast, Poppi made its first marketing push into gaming — a space that has long been associated with soda, including Mountain Dew — with several cultural activations. 'Soda has integrated seamlessly with gaming culture from the beginning,' said a Poppi spokesperson in emailed comments. 'As a digital-first brand, it's a no-brainer to bring their better-for-you sodas into this space.' To put itself on one of the most popular gaming platforms for brands and consumers, Poppi teamed with licensed Fortnite studio Creator Corp to launch an exclusive Fortnite mini-game that was amplified by Twitch streamer Cody 'Clix' Conrod. And in a shot at gaming nostalgia, the brand launched Alpine Blasters, a retro arcade-style game that saw about 126,000 plays in just four days. The top 1,000 players of the web-based game, of about 24,000 overall, received a branded mailer. The dual activations allowed the brand to reach multiple audiences — Gen Z and Gen Alpha in Fortnite, older arcade-era gamers in Alpine Blasters — and helped craft a 'cross-generational conversation,' per the brand. In addition to the gaming activations, Poppi dropped an eight-piece, limited-edition merchandise collection on a microsite, with prices ranging from $12 to $120. Merch drops continue to be a way for brands to elevate themselves into culture. Some of those goods were on display in April at a Coachella-adjacent event that featured creators, friends of the brand and Coachella headliner — and Poppi investor — Post Malone. The brand on April 12 hosted a BBQ-style kickback event with music, food, cocktails and ping pong. Along with Malone and influencers including Gavin Casalegno ('The Summer I Turned Pretty'), Bobby Pombo, Georgia Costello, Christina Kirkman, Luann Diez and Alexa Jay, the gathering featured two fans who won a trip to attend. The launch of Alpine Blast allowed Poppi to get back on track after a Super Bowl ad and stunt campaign proved controversial and gave Olipop an opening to swipe at its rival. For Poppi, the backlash was an opportunity to listen, learn and vow to do more for its community. 'That campaign sparked a huge wave of attention, and we saw firsthand how powerful it is when traditional media and social storytelling work together,' a spokesperson said. 'We've continued to build relationships with creators and community members, all of whom align with our brand, focusing on people who can translate that big brand moment into authentic, everyday conversations.' Recommended Reading How Coca-Cola is marketing Simply Pop, its first prebiotic soda Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pepsi Officially Acquires Cult-Favorite Soda Brand in Massive Deal
After months of speculation that PepsiCo would acquire the popular prebiotic soda drink Poppi, the deal has officially gone through. On Monday, PepsiCo announced that it had closed the acquisition of Poppi for a massive sum totaling $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion (it appears that the whole influencer vending machine controversy had almost no effect). According to a press release, the acquisition is part of PepsiCo's "ongoing transformation of its portfolio," which is ever-changing to meet consumer needs and also what inspired Pepsi's decision to recently acquire gluten and grain-free Mexican-American foods brand, Siete, and beloved dip maker, Sabra. Related: "Poppi represents a compelling strategic fit within our short- and long-term vision for the future of beverages," said Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S., in a May 19 statement. "Its rapid growth, strong consumer engagement, and differentiated functional positioning make it a dynamic addition to our portfolio." "We are excited to scale Poppi's momentum and unlock new growth through our capabilities – we're just getting started," Krishnan added. Poppi CEO Chris Hall also said the brand is "incredibly grateful to our passionate community" and looking forward to the "next phase of growth" with Pepsi. "PepsiCo's belief in the Poppi brand is a tremendous validation of the work we've done to advance our mission,"Hall explained. What this means for fans of Poppi is currently unclear. It doesn't appear as though any recipe changes or flavor collabs are immediately underway, but the availability of the prebiotic gut-health soda could soon explode should PepsiCo retailers and distributors that hadn't stocked it before start offering it now. Next:
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pepsi Officially Acquires Cult-Favorite Soda Brand in Massive Deal
After months of speculation that PepsiCo would acquire the popular prebiotic soda drink Poppi, the deal has officially gone through. On Monday, PepsiCo announced that it had closed the acquisition of Poppi for a massive sum totaling $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion (it appears that the whole influencer vending machine controversy had almost no effect). According to a press release, the acquisition is part of PepsiCo's "ongoing transformation of its portfolio," which is ever-changing to meet consumer needs and also what inspired Pepsi's decision to recently acquire gluten and grain-free Mexican-American foods brand, Siete, and beloved dip maker, Sabra. Related: "Poppi represents a compelling strategic fit within our short- and long-term vision for the future of beverages," said Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S., in a May 19 statement. "Its rapid growth, strong consumer engagement, and differentiated functional positioning make it a dynamic addition to our portfolio." "We are excited to scale Poppi's momentum and unlock new growth through our capabilities – we're just getting started," Krishnan added. Poppi CEO Chris Hall also said the brand is "incredibly grateful to our passionate community" and looking forward to the "next phase of growth" with Pepsi. "PepsiCo's belief in the Poppi brand is a tremendous validation of the work we've done to advance our mission,"Hall explained. What this means for fans of Poppi is currently unclear. It doesn't appear as though any recipe changes or flavor collabs are immediately underway, but the availability of the prebiotic gut-health soda could soon explode should PepsiCo retailers and distributors that hadn't stocked it before start offering it now. Next: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PepsiCo Completes Acquisition of poppi, Accelerating Strategic Portfolio Transformation
Acquisition Advances Positive Choices Growth Strategy and Enhances PepsiCo Functional Food and Beverage Offerings PURCHASE, N.Y. and AUSTIN, Texas, May 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP) ("PepsiCo") today announced that it has closed the acquisition of poppi for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes a performance-based earnout contingent on achieving certain performance metrics. This acquisition marks a significant step in PepsiCo's ongoing transformation of its portfolio, reinforcing its commitment to meeting evolving consumer preferences for great-tasting, functional products. poppi, a fast-growing prebiotic soda brand, is among PepsiCo's recent acquisitions, including Siete and Sabra, aimed at aligning with consumers' modern wellness priorities. "poppi represents a compelling strategic fit within our short- and long-term vision for the future of beverages," said Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages U.S. "Its rapid growth, strong consumer engagement, and differentiated functional positioning make it a dynamic addition to our portfolio. We are excited to scale poppi's momentum and unlock new growth through our capabilities – we're just getting started." On a mission to modernize soda for the next generation, poppi is a fast-growing functional soda brand made with prebiotics, fruit juice, and apple cider vinegar – offering a refreshing, low-calorie drink with no more than five grams of sugar per serving. poppi has taken a community- and culture-first approach – from vibrant packaging to a strong social media presence, viral TikTok campaigns, and influencer partnerships – all of which have cultivated a loyal community and effectively engaged Gen Z and millennial audiences. "PepsiCo's belief in the poppi brand is a tremendous validation of the work we've done to advance our mission," said Chris Hall, CEO of poppi. "Their partnership and resources will be instrumental as we scale to our next phase of growth. We're incredibly grateful to our passionate community and look forward to welcoming even more consumers into the poppi portfolio." Centerview Partners LLC acted as lead financial advisor to PepsiCo, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC also served as a financial advisor to PepsiCo. Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP acted as legal advisor to PepsiCo, and Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP acted as tax counsel to PepsiCo. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC acted as financial advisor to poppi, and Cooley LLP acted as legal advisor to poppi. About PepsiCoPepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated nearly $92 billion in net revenue in 2024, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo's product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales. Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit About poppi:poppi is a prebiotic soda brand modernizing soda for the next generation. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Stephen & Allison Ellsworth, Austin, TX-based poppi combines prebiotics and fruit juice to create a deliciously refreshing, mouthwatering low calorie soda with no more than 5 grams of sugar per serving. What originally started as a home-brewed concoction quickly became a farmers' market favorite turned Shark Tank investment and is now available at major retailers nationwide. poppi's brand-first approach, cultural cache, and rapid growth have nurtured an incredibly loyal community, including celebrity fans. poppi is available in 15 delicious flavors – Strawberry Lemon, Raspberry Rose, Orange, Ginger Lime, Watermelon, Cherry Limeade, Grape, Wild Berry, Classic Cola, Root Beer, Doc Pop, Lemon Lime, Orange Cream, Cherry Cola and Alpine Blast. For more information, visit or follow @drinkpoppi on Instagram and TikTok. PepsiCo Cautionary Statement Statements in this communication that are "forward-looking statements" are based on currently available information, operating plans and projections about future events and trends. Terminology such as "believe," "expect," "future," "intend," "may," "plan," "position," "potential," "should," "will" or similar statements or variations of such words and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: future demand for PepsiCo's products; damage to PepsiCo's reputation or brand image; product recalls or other issues or concerns with respect to product quality and safety; PepsiCo's ability to compete effectively; PepsiCo's ability to attract, develop and maintain a highly skilled workforce or effectively manage changes in our workforce; water scarcity; changes in the retail landscape or in sales to any key customer; disruption of PepsiCo's manufacturing operations or supply chain, including increased commodity, packaging, transportation, labor and other input costs; political, social or geopolitical conditions in the markets where PepsiCo's products are made, manufactured, distributed or sold; PepsiCo's ability to grow its business in developing and emerging markets; changes in economic conditions in the countries in which PepsiCo operates; future cyber incidents and other disruptions to our information systems; failure to successfully complete or manage strategic transactions; PepsiCo's reliance on third-party service providers and enterprise-wide systems; climate change or measures to address climate change and other sustainability matters; strikes or work stoppages; failure to realize benefits from PepsiCo's productivity initiatives or organizational restructurings; deterioration in estimates and underlying assumptions regarding future performance of our business or investments that can result in impairment charges; fluctuations or other changes in exchange rates; any downgrade or potential downgrade of PepsiCo's credit ratings; imposition or proposed imposition of new or increased taxes aimed at PepsiCo's products; imposition of limitations on the marketing or sale of PepsiCo's products; changes in laws and regulations related to the use or disposal of plastics or other packaging materials; failure to comply with personal data protection and privacy laws; increase in income tax rates, changes in income tax laws or disagreements with tax authorities; failure to adequately protect PepsiCo's intellectual property rights or infringement on intellectual property rights of others; failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations; and potential liabilities and costs from litigation, claims, legal or regulatory proceedings, inquiries or investigations. For additional information on these and other factors that could cause PepsiCo's actual results to materially differ from those set forth herein, please see PepsiCo's filings with the SEC, including its most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Media Contacts:pepsicomediarelations@ press@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE PepsiCo, Inc. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
