Tru Blu Beverages wins Asian Export Award for Soda Category

Australian Beverage manufacturer Tru Blu Beverages (Tru Blu) won the coveted Asian Export Award 2019 in the Soda Category for its iconic premium Riviera Sparkling Fruit Drink.

Now In its second year, the Asian Export Awards is a pinnacle event which recognises Asia's best exporters and is open in two divisions — the Large Corporate division, for companies with a group turnover of over $300 million and the Local Champion division, for small to medium-sized enterprises.

As the winner in the Large Corporate division, this is a major achievement for Riviera Sparkling Fruit Drink and cements Tru Blu’s position as a major beverage player in the Asian Export market.

Speaking on behalf of Riviera’s win, Tru Blu’s International Business Manager, Mr Pat Pavlis said, “Our objective is to be at the forefront of product innovation and as such, we believe Riviera has certainly delivered on this. We started with a simple idea - to craft the best tasting sparkling fruit drink for both the domestic and international markets, with a keen consideration of the Asian palette. We used 5% fruit juice and natural flavours to develop a mouth-watering range which includes Pomegranate Blueberry, Mango Elderflower, Tahitian Lime, Wild Passionfruit and Pink Grapefruit. Finally, to give the brand the feeling of aspiration and sophistication we named it Riviera after the idyllic French and Italian coastline. The product is packed in a 330mL clear glass bottle which further adds to its premium positioning. We are very proud that this simple idea has become TBB’s most popular & best-selling product!”

Riviera Sparkling Fruit Drink is one of many products manufactured by Tru Blu. From fruit juices, cordials, carbonated beverages, still/sparkling mineral waters, ginger beer, kombucha and energy drinks, Tru Blu boasts an impressive range of non-alcoholic beverages that are made in Australia, allowing the claim “100% Australian made and owned.”

As well as branded products, Tru Blu is Australia’s largest manufacturer of contract-packed beverages. In fact, Tru Blu can claim that 1 in 6 beverages purchased by Australian supermarket shoppers is made by Tru Blu, an Australian-owned company! Now that’s very impressive.

Tru Blu exports an extensive range of branded products (as well as private label/OEM brands) to a growing list of countries including New Zealand, Sri Lanka, India, Myanmar, Vietnam, Fiji, Korea, China & Hong Kong. Sitting amongst some of the world’s key players in the non-alcoholic beverage market, Mr Pavlis said, “Tru Blu is well positioned to take advantage of export opportunities and will continue to broaden its range of products in modern trade platforms (Grocery & Convenience channels) and explore opportunities in traditional trade platforms (Importers & Distributors). This will ensure broad distribution is reached throughout the Asia Pacific Region and beyond.”

Tru Blu operates state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities strategically positioned in three Australian states - NSW, QLD and WA. Furthermore, it operates sales offices and distribution centres in each of the 5 major Australian capital cities! Speaking about Tru Blu’s unique position in Australia, it’s Executive Chairman, Mr Peter Brooks said, “The company will continue to focus on capital investment to establish its position as Australia’s leading manufacturer, marketer and innovator of non-alcoholic beverages.”

Tru Blu also takes its responsibility to the environment very seriously and has taken active steps to reduce waste and minimise the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes. One such step is by being a signatory of the Australian National Packaging Covenant which aims to reduce the environmental footprint of packaging used by Australian industry. Furthermore, Tru Blu works closely with its transport and logistic companies to ensure that energy costs are kept low.

Speaking on Tru Blu’s position in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region, Mr Peter Brooks said, “As part of our social contract we want to provide every consumer in Australia and the Asia Pacific Region with a quality product at an affordable price, continue to develop healthy beverage alternatives and strive for environmentally sustainable manufacturing and packaging solutions.”

This impressive accolade for Riviera will no doubt place Tru Blu on the map and ensure its continued success in the Asian market.

The Asian Export Awards 2019, co-presented by Singapore Business Review and Hong Kong Business, was held on 28 November at the Shangri-La Hotel Singapore.

This year's nominations were judged by a panel consisting of Chong Cheng Yuan, Partner & Industry Lead, Industrial Manufacturing at RSM; Kuntha Chelvanathan, Partner Supply Chain and Operations at Ernst & Young Advisory Pte Ltd; James Elsom, Executive Director, Corporate Finance Advisory at Deloitte Asia Pacific; and Cheng Soon Keong, Director, Corporate Advisory Services at BDO LLP.

If you would like to join the 2020 awards and be awarded as one of the most outstanding exporters in Asia, please email Jannie Beduya at jannie@charltonmediamail.com