Matt O’Sullivan February 19, 2014 The Age About 540 jobs will be axed from Cootes Transport after its parent, McAleese, decided to half the size of the beleaguered fuel-haulage business after what it described as unprecedented government scrutiny. With the Cootes fleet under relentless surveillance, McAleese chairman Mark Rowsthorn said most executives in the transport industry were ”absolutely crapping themselves” that the same would apply to them. ”It is unprecedented,” he said after warning the fallout from Cootes’ woes will cost it $47 million this financial year. He conceded that the company had not been ”squeaky clean”. McAleese will sell about half of the trucks and trailers in the Cootes fleet after losing contracts with Shell and BP, and withdrawing from supplying 7-Eleven in several states. The vehicles to be put up for sale include 190 prime movers and 286 tankers. Advertisement McAleese said the 540 jobs – the majority…

Eli Greenblat February 19, 2014 The Age Outgoing Coca-Cola Amatil boss Terry Davis has handed the next chief of the beverage and food group a clean slate from which to fashion strategy and growth plans, writing off $404 million against its loss-making SPC Ardmona fruit business that leaves goodwill at zero. Mr Davis, who leaves CC Amatil in March after 12 years in the job, defended the grab for $22 million in taxpayer funds in the form of a Victorian state government rescue package to save the SPC cannery from possible closure, with CC Amatil to also invest $78 million to revive the loss-making venture. ”Hopefully we’ve turned the tide with SPC by getting Australian consumers to understand that if we all don’t support Australian-grown produce then we won’t have farmers, we won’t have fruit and vegetable growers in this country,” Mr Davis said. He defended the size of the…

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Gasoline will remain the dominant fuel powering light duty vehicles through 2040, but consumption will drop 24% and market share will shrink 14% as fuel efficiency improves and alternative fuels — led by diesel fuel — increase their penetration into the market, according to a new report released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). The 2014 NACS “Future of Fuels” report analyzes projections made by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Annual Energy Outlook 2014. NACS publishes its annual industry analysis to help retailers make informed investment decisions based on where the market is heading and which fuels are likely to be the dominant products consumed in the coming years. Despite the continued attention paid to alternative fuel vehicles and the forecast explosive growth with some new technologies, liquid fuels — gasoline, diesel fuel and E85 — remain the overwhelmingly dominant energy sources…

February 19, 2014 The Age Coca-Cola’s quarterly global sales volumes rose less than the company estimated, as people reach for healthier options Coca-Cola, like rival PepsiCo, has been battling declining soda sales in developed markets, especially the United States. Both have responded by focusing more on juices, teas, water and other non-carbonated beverages and increasing marketing spending. Coca-Cola bought a 10 per cent stake in Keurig coffee maker Green Mountain Coffee Roasters earlier this month, and will help develop a cold-beverage dispenser that it hopes will boost at-home consumption of fizzy drinks. Coca-Cola said on Tuesday that global sales volumes rose 1 per cent in the quarter and 2 per cent for the full year. Volumes in North America fell 1 per cent in the quarter, while those in Europe grew just 1 per cent as consumer spending remained subdued. Chief executive Muhtar Kent said the company would restore its…