Supply Chain & Merchandising

Once Anheuser-Busch InBev seals its 79 billion pound takeover of rival brewer SABMiller, it could find itself party to other smaller deals, involving Castel Group, Coca-Cola and Anadolu Efes.

In order to achieve optimal global expansion, Richard Essigs of E&Y explains how to balance what strategies have worked in the past with what will deliver success in the future.

Chris Hobson, vice president, Global Business Technologies at VF Corporation, writes about the companys latest complex technology project Acadia. With more than 30 brands, 63,000 associates, 1,500 retail stores and $12.4 billion in revenue, VF is highly diversified across brands, products, distribution channels and geographies. Here, the company creates one comprehensive technology platform that powers its back-end processes for all eight of its outdoor and action sports brands.

CGT Editor Alarice Rajagopal gives you a sneak peek into the trends and topics discussed in this month's issue.

Barry Callebaut integrates 65,000 cocoa farmers in Cte dIvoire and will include more across the world, for a stronger supply chain.

The intended goal for CPG manufacturers is to maximize demand and minimize out-of-stocks.

The initiative intends to address the difficulty manufacturers face in deploying the latest digital technologies, such as real-time tracking, 3D modeling and visualization, and the Internet-of-Things, on a large scale.

Jeffrey M. Ettinger will retire on October 30, 2016 and James P. Snee will take over as the company's new leader.