Brands
drink technology India rebrands to drinktec India
Mumbai: An important milestone in the global expansion of the drinktec portfolio has been reached: drink technology India is now the first trade fair to carry the ‘drinktec’ brand alongside drinktec Munich, the leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry. This rebranding by Yontex highlights the significance of the Indian market. Since 2007, the drinktec team has focused on supporting stakeholders in the beverage industry.
Originally launched as a congress in Mumbai, the trade fair has evolved into a key meeting point for manufacturers. Initially held every two years, it is now an annual event. The first edition featured 42 exhibitors and 276 m² of space; this year, 178 exhibitors are expected across about 6,000 m². Major global players consistently participate, reflecting the event’s importance for investment decisions. Last year, around 11,000 visitors attended, alternating between Mumbai and Delhi.
The drinktec India brand aims to strengthen its position as the leading trade fair in India for the beverage and liquid food industry. With the support of the drinktec brand, the Yontex team, Messe München India, and a wide range of products, the brand is set for growth in India and the SAARC region. This will provide neighboring markets with easy access to the latest offerings, making drinktec India a gateway for national and international brands.
Additionally, drinktec India aims to drive the Indian and neighboring beverage industries toward global standards. By showcasing advanced technologies, local manufacturers can engage with innovations that improve efficiency, enhance quality, and adapt to changing consumer preferences. This exchange will elevate domestic production and prepare Indian companies for global competition, making drinktec India crucial for modernising the beverage sector across the SAARC region.
Food Processing and Packaging Machinery Association deputy MD VDMA e.V., Beatrix Fraese: “As the conceptual sponsor of drinktec in Munich, we strongly support the rebranding of drink technology India to drinktec India. We have been closely involved in the journey from the very beginning until today because we believe in the potential of the Indian industry.
The sharp growth in demand for machinery and equipment in recent years shows that the Indian beverage industry is investing heavily and becoming increasingly professional. German machine manufacturers are increasingly building up capacities in India in order to be close to their customers locally. This shows the great trust in India’s potential.”
Yontex executive director drinktec cluster Markus Kosak: “We are thrilled that we were able to initiate such a strong development with this market platform at the time. This is a significant moment for all of us. With drinktec India, we are setting an important milestone for the industry for the Indian subcontinent and neighbouring regions. In this region, drinktec India is the most relevant and profound event for the beverage and liquid food industry. This enables us to consistently support growth in the Indian and surrounding markets. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to VDMA Germany and India for their unwavering support from the very beginning. Their collaboration has been instrumental in driving the success of this platform and shaping its growth.”
Messe München India CEO Bhupinder Singh: “We are thrilled to see drink technology India take this significant step forward by becoming a part of the globally renowned drinktec portfolio. This rebranding underscores the importance of the Indian market in the global beverage and liquid food industry. Our ongoing cooperation with PackMach strengthens our commitment to delivering comprehensive solutions across the value chain—from beverage manufacturing to packaging innovations. Together, we are building a robust platform that not only supports the industry’s growth but also brings cutting-edge technology and expertise to the Indian market, enabling businesses to compete on a global scale.”
Brands
Lululemon picks former Nike executive to be its next chief
Heidi O’Neill, who helped grow Nike into a $45 billion giant, will take the top job in September
CANADA: Lululemon has found its next chief executive, and she comes with serious credentials. The athleisure giant named Heidi O’Neill as its new CEO on Wednesday, ending a search that has left the company running on interim leadership since earlier this year. O’Neill will take charge on September 8, 2026, based out of Vancouver, and will join the board on the same day.
O’Neill brings more than three decades of experience across performance apparel, footwear and sport. The bulk of that time was spent at Nike, where she was a central figure in one of corporate sport’s great growth stories, helping take the company from a $9 billion business to a $45 billion global powerhouse. She oversaw product pipelines, brand strategy and consumer connections, and played a significant role in shaping how Nike spoke to athletes around the world. Earlier in her career, she worked in marketing for the Dockers brand at Levi Strauss. She also brings boardroom experience from Spotify Technology, Hyatt Hotels and Lithia and Driveway.
The board was unequivocal in its enthusiasm. “We selected Heidi because of the breadth of her experience, her demonstrated success delivering breakthrough ideas and initiatives at scale, and her ability to be a knowledgeable change and growth agent,” said Marti Morfitt, executive chair of Lululemon’s board.
O’Neill, for her part, was bullish. “Lululemon is an iconic brand with something rare: genuine guest love, a product ethos rooted in innovation, and a global platform still in the early stages of its potential,” she said. “My job will be to accelerate product breakthroughs, deepen the brand’s cultural relevance, and unlock growth in markets around the world.”
Until she arrives, Meghan Frank and André Maestrini will continue as interim co-CEOs, before returning to their previous senior leadership roles once O’Neill steps in.
Lululemon is betting that a Nike veteran who helped build one of the world’s most powerful sports brands can do something similar for an athleisure label that has genuine love from its customers but is still chasing its full global potential. O’Neill has done it before at scale. The question now is whether she can do it again.
