Kraft inks deals with Starbucks, Bosch

[OhioChick]

Source: Economic Times India

5 Sep 2007

CHICAGO: Kraft Foods said on Tuesday it has struck deals with Starbucks and Bosch Household Appliances to fuel growth of its Tassimo hot beverage system, which the company said was on track to become a $200-million brand by the year's end.

Starting in December, select Starbucks coffees will be added to the Tassimo beverage lineup in the United States and Canada, Kraft said. Tassimo owners will have access to four Starbucks coffees: House Blend, Breakfast Blend, Caffe Verona and Africa Kitamu, bringing the number of Tassimo beverage offerings to more than 60 worldwide.

Kraft has been managing distribution of Starbucks coffees in groceries. "We are always looking for ways to provide an authentic Starbucks coffee experience to our customers, and to do so anywhere and any-time they prefer," said Gerry Lopez, president of Starbucks Global Consumer Products Group.

Bosch will in mid-2008 launch a new Tassimo brewer carrying the Bosch name, Kraft said. Kraft said it and Braun, the current distributor of the Tassimo brewer, decided to end their partnership effective June 30, 2008. Kraft is a competitor in the coffee arena with Procter & Gamble, which acquired Braun after the Tassimo contract with Kraft, Braun president Bracken Darrell said.



Read more: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/International__Business/Kraft_inks_deals_with_Starbucks_Bosch/articleshow/2338448.cms

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Also keep in mind that Starbucks will now be sourcing it's coffee from China, as well.

[MadHound]

1. Well those are products from Kraft and Bosch that I can do without

I hate Starbucks coffee, utterly despise the burnt roast taste of the swill. In addition, I tend towards supporting local businesses, including my local coffee shops.

Kraft needs to stick to dairy products and Bosch needs to stick to automotive electronics. Coffee somehow just doesn't seem to suit them.

[TexasProgresive]

2. OOH! now it will be mediocre coffee with lead -

I wonder if the price will go up.

[pippin]

3. Now we'll get

cheesy coffee.