Reed's facts for kids
| Public | |
| Traded as | OTCQX: REED |
| Industry | Beverages, Soft Drinks |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Christopher J. Reed |
| Headquarters | Norwalk, Connecticut |
|
Area served
|
North America |
|
Key people
|
Norman E. Snyder (CEO, Director) Christopher J. Reed (CIO, Founder) John Bello (Chairman) |
| Revenue |  US$33.820 Million(FY 2019) |
|
Number of employees
|
28 (Dec 2019) |
Reed's Inc. is a company based in the United States that makes tasty soft drinks and candies. Christopher J. Reed started the company in 1989. It was first located in Los Angeles, California. In September 2018, the main office moved to Norwalk, Connecticut.
Contents
The Story of Reed's
How It All Started
Christopher Reed began working on his first ginger drink in 1987. He was learning about the good things ginger can do for your health. After two years of trying out different ideas, he started selling his drink in Southern California in 1989.
In 1991, Reed made his company official. He called it Original Beverage Corporation. Later, in 1999, this company bought the Virgil's Root Beer brand. On September 7, 2001, Original Beverage Corporation changed its name to Reed's Inc.
Becoming a Public Company
On October 11, 2006, Reed's Inc. became a public company. This means anyone could buy shares of the company. By 2018, you could find Reed's Inc. products in over 30,000 stores across the United States. In 2023, the company's stock moved from Nasdaq to the OTC Market.
How Reed's Inc. Works
Important People at Reed's
In 2016, John Bello joined the company's board of directors as the chairman. A chairman helps guide the company. John Bello also started and used to lead another company called South Beach Beverage Company, which makes SoBe teas and juices.
In April 2017, Christopher Reed became the Chief Innovation Officer. This new job meant he would focus on creating new and exciting products. In March 2020, Norman E. Snyder became the new CEO, or Chief Executive Officer. The CEO is like the main boss who runs the company every day.
Where Reed's Inc. Is Now
Reed's Inc. moved its main office to Norwalk, Connecticut, in 2018. The company also brought in new leaders. Iris Snyder became the chief financial officer, who manages the money. Philip Trotman became the director of marketing, helping people learn about Reed's products. Beth Brown became the director of supply chain and procurement, making sure products are made and delivered.
Reed's Products
What Reed's Makes
In 2013, Reed's, Inc. announced that all its products would be labeled as GMO-free. This means they do not use ingredients that have been changed in a lab.
Between 2017 and 2018, Reed's Inc. decided to focus on its most popular drinks. They went from over 100 products to about 25. They mainly focused on Reed's Inc. and Virgil's soft drinks. The Reed's Inc. soft drink line has nine different flavors. They also have two kinds of ginger candy. You can find Reed's Inc. products in many stores in the US and Canada. In 2021, Reed's Inc. started selling three of its soft drinks in plastic bottles that you can close again. The Virgil's line has thirteen different soft drink flavors.
Awards and Recognitions
Awards for Reed's Drinks
Reed's Inc. has won several awards for its tasty drinks! Their Spiced Apple Brew won "Outstanding Beverage Finalist" from the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade. The Original Ginger Brew also won "Outstanding Beverage Finalist" from the same group. It also won "Best Imported Food Product" from the Canadian Fancy Food Association.
WholeFoods Magazine chose Reed's Inc. as the Runner Up Beverage Company in their Natural Choice Awards in both 2010 and 2011.
Awards for Virgil's Root Beer
Virgil's Root Beer also won the "Outstanding Beverage" award. It received this award at the International Fancy Food and Confection Show in 1994, 1996, and 1997.
See also
- Craft soda
