Whirlpool Corp and Anheuser-Busch InBev have started selling a countertop appliance that makes carbonated drinks, coffee and fruit drinks using single-serve capsules.
In a joint venture thought to be worth over $70m, the B.blend machine, sold under Whirlpool’s Brastemp brand, has been designed by the world’s leading appliance maker and serves non-alcoholic drinks from the world’s biggest brewer. This is the latest entry in the pod-based drink machine market.
The B.blend machine is currently only available in São Paulo, but will be soon be rolled out across Brazil before launching in international markets.
The machine was the idea of young Brazilian graduate Cecilia Ribeiro, who joined Whirlpool as a graduate trainee in 2011. Whirlpool spent four years developing the device and Anheuser-Busch InBev’s local unit, AmBev, has taken a 50% stake in the B.blend joint venture.
While this machine offers more choice to the consumer than anything else on the market, at over $1,100 it is also by far the most expensive. From Keurig Green Mountain’s soon-to-be launched Keurig Koldthrough Bonne O to SodaStream, we wait to see who will will win themix-your-own machine gadget battle.
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