Timed to coincide with the launch of the Warner Bros film, Scooby Snacks ­ three American-sounding flavours based on the cowardly canine sleuth's favourite rewards ­ are the first new line from Snacks Unlimited, which was acquired by Big Thoughts in November 2001.
Md Chris Banks' four years' experience as md at Coca-Cola GB (CCGB) and 20 in the ranks of several of the food and drink industry's major players gave him an eye for an opportunity with long-term prospects."Scooby Doo is a perfect fit for a new product," he says. "It gave us the chance to bring out something new on the back of an established brand already popular with generations."
Big Thoughts was born of a February 2001 management buyout of drinks manufacturer Histogram which makes Coca-Cola's juice brands, in the UK. CCGB wanted to focus on marketing its brands and saw the manufacturing plant ­ its only one ­ as non-core. Banks jumped at the chance to run his own show and he has big plans.
"We're looking to become a group of specific innovative suppliers of informal food and drink, concentrating on the faster-growing, added value sectors," he says. "The industry should expect to see a continuous flow of product and packaging innovation. One of the great things about being a niche player is that we can react quickly."


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