Nestle USA is partnering with Keurig Green Mountain, Inc. to develop Nestle Coffee-mate K-Cups. The portion packs combine roast and ground coffee with creamer, representing the first brand to offer a two-in-one K-Cup pack for hot coffee.
The product line will debut with original and french vanilla flavors on-line this fall and in grocery, mass and specialty retail channels in the spring.
“Coffee-mate’s partnership with Keurig is a natural fit since one-fourth of all Keurig users cream their coffee with Coffee-mate,” said Rob Case, president of the Nestle Beverage Division, Nestle USA. “We’re always looking at new, innovative ways to deliver convenience and enjoyment — by combining signature Coffee-mate creamer and roast and ground coffee into one single serve K-Cup pack, Keurig consumers can have their perfect cup at the touch of a button.”
The partnership comes amidst competitive activity between the companies. Nestle USA is a subsidiary of Nestle S.A., Vevey, Switzerland, which earlier this year announced the North American debut of a single-cup coffee and espresso brewer from the Nespresso brand. In a recent presentation for financial analysts, Keurig’s top executive noted the new product stirred up competition for Keurig.
“Any time Nestle is in the market with something we are going to watch it and we are going to be very, very careful to make sure that we can compete effectively,” said Brian Kelley, president and chief executive officer of the Waterbury, Vt.-based company.
