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About Eric Hofer
(Top Expert on this page)

Expertise
Over 27 years experience, with 17 in international FMCG in back office operations and in field sales and data collection, including design, development and deployment of Handhelds, Marketing Equipment (Service, Tracking and Return on Investment), reporting and Vending management. Have participated on the launch of operations in new markets, and re-engineered the back office in several countries.

Experience
Designed and led the development and deployment internal ERP system for Pepsi used in On-Premise/Vending in 13 markets. Designed 2 handheld systems, the latest is now deployed in 4 markets internationally. Re-engineered the back office functions (settlements, despatch, invoicing, credit control, etc) for over 20 snack, confectionary and beverage operators. Developing software: Progress, VB, Access, C, Sybase, SA

Organizations
Innovative-Selling Solutions

Publications
BudapestSun

Education/Credentials
State University of New York - BA Economics NYU - Courant - Graduate work - Computing

Past/Present clients
PepsiAmericas PepsiCola International PepsiCola Company British Steel British Telecom Britvic (Pepsi's bottler in the UK) AT&T BellSouth Mars Overseas Bottling Pepsi France Matutano (Frito-Lay Spain) Frito-Lay Pepsi Foods International Chase Manhattan Bank Kidder Peabody National Power SmithKline Beecham Mars Overseas Bottling (Pepsi Azerbaijan) A&P Bottling (Pepsi Serbia & Montenegro) Iberia Bottlers (Pepsi Georgia)

   

You are here:  Experts > Industry > Beverage Distribution > Beverage Distribution

Questions Answered By Expert  Eric Hofer 
In Category  Beverage Distribution

SubjectDate Asked

Distribution and Retail Mark Up10/26/2009
  Q: I am extremely impressed in the many answers you have provided on the beverage industry. We are a ...
  A: Jim, Not an easy one to answer in a general way. In On-Premise (restaurants, etc.), pricing is at ...
Exclusive distribution agreements10/12/2009
  Q: Eric, I'm about to receive a license from my state's liquor control agency to import %26 distribute ...
  A: Tom, This is a bit out of my area of expertise. You need both a lawyer and a customs broker. Some ...
wine distributors10/7/2009
  Q: hos is the wine stored at a wine distributor??
  A: Wines are generally stored in temperature controlled conditions to prevent damage. Product is ...
Sales and Distribution9/28/2009
  Q: I'm new to the bevarage industry and wondered if you could let me know a bit about the roles of ...
  A: I can help you to understand the roles of wholesalers and distributors. Ther terms "Agent" and ...
How to get inventory9/22/2009
  Q: I have started process to become liquor/beer dist. How do I go about getting labels/brand to supply ...
  A: Kevin, Usually before starting up, you would have identified suppliers, possible terms and modelled ...
Beverage Distribution Back Office Systems9/17/2009
  Q: I am working with a US based start-up Beverage Dist. Co. that has asked me to find a low cost off ...
  A: Yes I know a bit of what is out there. There are some handheld systems which focus primarily on ...
Beer & Wine Distribution9/16/2009
  Q: Currently I am not sure if I will start off trying to sell to distributors or wholesale the product ...
  A: Joe, Answering your questions in order of appearance... 1. How to go to market depends on many ...
opening a beer distributor in alaska9/15/2009
  Q: I am from PA also but have been living in Alaska for the past three years. What steps and licenses ...
  A: The steps will likely be the same in Alaska as in Pennsylvania. There'll be a state agency that ...
World's First Patented Resveratrol Beverage Must Choose Between Distributors8/31/2009
  Q: Eric, It's been about a year since we last spoke about anti-ageing water. As the economy, customer ...
  A: I agree with you on your fears. The cost to get a "new" concept to market is generally very high ...
Career8/19/2009
  Q: Where and how can I become a sales person in Columbus ohio area?
  A: Jacqueline, I'm in Budapest, Hungary so my knowledge of Columbus, Ohio is probably less than yours. ...
Starting a Beverage8/16/2009
  Q: I have a good Idea for an organic beverage. I would like every aspect to be green but I do not know ...
  A: Catching out a fraudster is tough. It's obviously their business to part you from your money and to ...
co packers6/28/2009
  Q: I have developed a "hot fill" vegetable sports drink with the aid of a California firm that ...
  A: Ralph, I'm sorry, but I'm not in California and cannot help with co-packers there. Suggest trying ...
Back-office reporting system for liquor startup6/20/2009
  Q: I am currently consulting for a small liquor start-up who has gained a lot of traction in the ...
  A: For In-Field staff related to order capture, marketing spend, Sales Development, etc., we're doing ...
Sustainability of beverage import business5/29/2009
  Q: I am in the planning stage of importing a 750ml/80proof beverage into the US. I understand the ...
  A: Dave, apologies. I have an answer and wanted to check with colleagues. This isn't an easy one in ...
Major beverage distributors in London, UK4/25/2009
  Q: I'm a first year MBA at Thunderbird and I'm doing research study regarding bringing an organic, ...
  A: Tea is an interesting beverage in the UK. While I cannot point to specific research, I know from ...
Great Drink, Right Time, Next Step?4/3/2009
  Q: Greetings Eric, I have a great product, which has amazing health benefits, some even too good to ...
  A: Asher, Your question exudes excitement which is great to hear in these times when lots of people ...
Oregon Beer to JAPAN3/21/2009
  Q: I live in Tokyo Japan, but used to be a resident of Oregon. I'd like to start a small, maybe website ...
  A: Mike, These aren't on my list of expertise, while I cannot give you too much in the way of specific ...
beer distribution & logistics2/3/2009
  Q: CHINA, Europe) and therefore wanted to ask what sources are recommendable to get more information. ...
  A: To your follow-ups:- 1) Margin and ratios... I cannot think of how one gets these ratios as a rule ...
Liquor Distribution2/1/2009
  Q: I have found a product that is currently imported into the U.S. by its manufacturer. This product ...
  A: Christopher, Question 1... As far as I understand it, there are laws etc. concerning distribution ...
beer distribution & logistics1/29/2009
  Q: CHINA, Europe) and therefore wanted to ask what sources are recommendable to get more information. ...
  A: From a "high level" vantage a product is sustainable when the costs can be covered by sales, ...
beer distribution & logistics1/27/2009
  Q: CHINA, Europe) and therefore wanted to ask what sources are recommendable to get more information. ...
  A: Constantin, This is a huge question space; and I'm not all-knowing. I wish at times I were such a ...
energy drink start up11/22/2008
  Q: I'm currently considering an energy drink start up and have seen reference to having enough ...
  A: This is a "length of string"eg. there's no "right" answer. You need to do a business plan, ...
beverage distribution11/18/2008
  Q: I'm not sure if you're able to assist with this. But any suggestion is necessary. We're a small ...
  A: Anthony, I'm wondering, how it is that you're a startup in the US with an energy drink that is ...
Beer Distributor Question11/6/2008
  Q: I am interested in opening a beer distributor in PA. I am also interested in selling other ...
  A: Nelson, I'm sitting in central Europe and am more in FMCG - specifically soft drinks, snacks, ...
final stages of formulating a juice11/3/2008
  Q: I have written you in the past and have just a couple of questions to finalize my testing. I ...
  A: Rich, These are questions outside my area of expertise (I'm more in Logistics, Back Office Systems ...
Beverage Startup Biz Plan10/29/2008
  Q: Do you have a sample you might be willing to share? I'm looking for at least a good example of a ...
  A: Peter, Sorry; it's never been my specialization and while I've had COGs and PVC (Product Variable ...
starting a beverage10/24/2008
  Q: I have been doing a lot of research (I may have asked you a number of questions already) about ...
  A: Saw the 2nd message first and replied on that.... As to this one:- - I think this the way to go ...
how much profit on a juice?10/24/2008
  Q: Im looking to get a copacker in place for a fruit/vegetable juice. Im having an incredibly hard ...
  A: Rich, Have you already done the test, determined the optimal flavour mix, shelf life, etc.? I'm ...
equity distribution10/12/2008
  Q: We are starting a beverage company and want to enlist distributors. In order to enhance the ...
  A: Sharing any sort of equity involves considering several items, e.g. the amount of risk, duration of ...
Launching A Product9/19/2008
  Q: I have been a beer home-brewer for over 20 years. My recent recipe has won several national awards. ...
  A: Lots of good questions! Must a Producer market its own product? You know the adage, "if you ...
Launching A Product9/19/2008
  Q: I have been a beer home-brewer for over 20 years. My recent recipe has won several national awards. ...
  A: Robert, The big question you have is about "capital". Do you have enough to do it yourself, or do ...
Custom Bottled Water9/10/2008
  Q: What company makes custom shaped water bottles for spring water to be bottled and sold @ retail? ...
  A: Don, I think you mean "Evian" (Avian is a bird and does not spell "Naive" backwards); Arrowhead is ...
Beverage Distributor9/5/2008
  Q: I am just getting into beverage distribution after getting with a small energy drink company in CA ...
  A: the Highly Motivated! Sounds like you've done some of the pre-requisite apprenticeship already. ...
Beverage Distributor9/3/2008
  Q: I am recent college grad and I am looking to venture into my own business. I'm interested in ...
  A: Perhaps I'm missing it, I cannot see what's difficult. The MyFlorida site gets you going. ...
Starting a beverage manufacturer's agency8/4/2008
  Q: Eric, We all appreciate your expertise and willingness to help out. I'm planning to start a ...
  A: A "selling" organization would be your best bet... Effectively you'll develop contacts and drive ...
New beverage line idea7/29/2008
  Q: I have a fantastic beverage line idea that could be the next "vitamin water" in terms of popularity. ...
  A: Scott, This is more about how to protect your idea which is a mixture of legal and strategic/game ...
Starting a beverage manufacturer's agency7/29/2008
  Q: Eric, We all appreciate your expertise and willingness to help out. I'm planning to start a ...
  A: I'm unsure what you mean by a "manufacturer's agency". If you are talking about setting up a ...
Tea RTD7/24/2008
  Q: Eric, what a find to find you here... and what an amazing resource. My question is about launching ...
  A: David, If you've had sufficient experience in Packaged Foods, then you're not going to find it a ...
Launching New Category of Health & Wellness Alkaline Cosmeceutical Beauty6/30/2008
  Q: Eric, www.Anti-AgeingWater.com has interested investors as well as commitments from bottlers. ...
  A: Stuart, You're still going to have to put $s into marketing to train your consumers. I'd recommend ...
Launching New Category of Health & Wellness Alkaline Cosmeceutical Beauty6/16/2008
  Q: Eric, www.Anti-AgeingWater.com has interested investors as well as commitments from bottlers. ...
  A: Stuart, I've had a bit of time to think this through. In essence your question is, what ...
health drink5/28/2008
  Q: i work part time right now and i really want to own my own buisness can you please help me and give ...
  A: The process here is not unlike the other items I've explained previously, namely:- - developing a ...
beverage distribution5/21/2008
  Q: I am interested in becoming the middleman for an overseas juice manufacturer and a beverage ...
  A: John, let me first say "thank you" for giving me my 1st question that actually relates to an area I ...
trying to get me a drink on the market4/26/2008
  Q: hello mr hofer my name is antoine and i have a drink in mind to benifit people but i can i get it ...
  A: No need to be formal, Eric will do. I'd like some more information please. - What is the drink? - ...
Importing of Wines from Portugal4/14/2008
  Q: i would like to import wines from Portugal and start a distributorship here in Goa-India. I Could ...
  A: Tahil, To start any sort of "distribution" you're going to require some knowledge of the subject. ...
Starting up an import / distribution business3/4/2008
  Q: Eric, I am interested in importing beer from overseas and becoming the sole distributor here in Ga, ...
  A: I've changed to the subject to better match the jist of the question you asked... First Step: ...
How to open a beer distributor in PA1/7/2008
  Q: I was wondering how one goes about opening a beer distributor in PA. What regulations do you have to ...
  A: The first place to start is the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (http://www.lcb.state.pa.us/) ...
Food and Beverage Industry7/18/2007
  Q: I am after the Top 10 Food and Beverage Companies: 1. In Europe 2. In the US 3. In the World
  A: That's not easy to answer... Is it, as of today, what limits food and beverage, is alcohol ...
Pepsi's Global Market4/15/2007
  Q: I'm doing a little research on PepsiCo, and I was wondering if you could tell me roughly how many ...
  A: As far as I know, Pepsico is represented throughout the world barring a few exception (they pulled ...
Multiple brand names for the same product3/26/2007
  Q: I tried to send a "follow up" to your reply, amy be u got it by now, but the web pages for sending ...
  A: Now there's a question I can give some insight into... BTW, I've relabelled the thread "Multiple ...
Finding a Companys address, phone, etc.1/18/2007
  Q: this is an interesting question, even out of the ordinary, I hope you find it as almost fascinating ...
  A: Well, this is outside of my area... But like you I am curious. I could find references to both ...
Beer distribution: Produced in Mississippi Distributed in Alabama11/16/2006
  Q: I want to become a distributor for a beer from MS and Id like to market and sell it in AL How must I ...
  A: Interstate Beer Distribution is outside of my direct expertise, but I can see some initial steps on ...

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