ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 13, 1996 TAG: 9603140002
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
Curve-happy Coke to test a few more
ATLANTA - Hoping to build on the boost it got from bringing back its popular contour bottle two years ago, the Coca-Cola Co. said Tuesday it plans to test a curvy aluminum can, probably by the end of the year.
Coca-Cola officials said they are sure consumers will go for the can, whose sides subtly resemble the more sharply defined features of the Coke bottle.
A recent test of a steel version in Germany ``went through the roof'' with consumers, said Roberto C. Goizueta, Coca-Cola chairman and chief executive.
But Coke is not sure that an aluminum version of the uniquely shaped package will respond to the pressures of the production line, whether it will hold carbonation and how well it will stack on delivery trucks and grocery shelves.
The move is the latest of several by the Atlanta-based company to help distinguish its product from chief rival Pepsi-Cola and the ``private label'' sodas that have flooded the market in recent years.
A plastic version of the old contoured Coke bottle, brought out in 1994, has become a cornerstone of the company's marketing campaign and has been credited with helping Coke widen its lead in the $50 billion soft drink market.
- Associated Press
Dun & Bradstreet opens in Roanoke
The Dun & Bradstreet Corp., a New York provider of business information and marketing services, has opened an office at 2117 Rosalind Ave. S.W. in Roanoke. The franchised operation is owned by Paul J. Head of Roanoke, who said it will focus on offering Dun & Bradstreet's receivable management services to area companies.
Head also bought franchises through Peakwood Capital Corp., of which he is president, to act as Dun & Bradstreet's agent in West Virginia and Kentucky. Dun & Bradstreet Receivable Management Services in all three states are wholly owned by Peakwood Capital, an investment banking firm.
- Staff report
Coal production up
U.S. coal production rose slightly during the week ended March 2, to 21.6 million tons from 21.2 million tons the week before, the Department of Energy said. The industry produced 20.6 million tons in the same week last year. Coal production so far this year is 174.7 million tons, 2.5 percent behind last year.
Virginia mines yielded 740,000 tons during the survey week, up from 677,000 tons last year. So far this year, Virginia has produced 5.51 million tons, down from 6 million a year ago.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: color.by CNB