PLANO, TEXAS — Ben Weiss, founder of Bai Brands, has left Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Inc., seven months after the company acquired Bai.
“Ben created one of the beverage industry's most disruptive innovations in recent years,” said Larry Young, president and chief executive officer of Dr Pepper Snapple. “The team at Bai is well positioned to drive growth for the brand well into the future.”
 |
| Lain Hancock, c.e.o. of Bai Brands |
Taking over leadership from Mr. Weiss is Lain Hancock, who has been named c.e.o. of Bai Brands. Most recently, Mr. Hancock was executive vice-president of human resources for Dr Pepper Snapple. He has also held multiple senior leadership positions with the company’s supply chain organization, including continuous improvement, manufacturing and procurement. He joined the company in 2007.
In his new role, Mr. Hancock will work with Ken Kurtz, Bai Brands’ president of sales. He will be tasked with driving alignment and coordination between Bai and the Dr Pepper Snapple selling organization, the company said, as well as delivering profitable growth over the long term for the brand.
“Lain knows how to inspire and lead winning teams and develop and execute business plans guided by data and insight,” Mr. Young said. “As part of our executive leadership team for the past four years, he understands how to best bring Dr Pepper Snapple’s full capabilities and resources to support Bai’s sales, marketing and brand building efforts.”
Dr Pepper Snapple acquired Bai Brands in November 2016 for $1.7 billion. In April, the company reported that the Bai business fell short of initial forecasts in the first quarter. Dr Pepper Snapple initially expected about 80% year-over-year volume growth after the transaction and has since adjusted to a forecast of 40% to 50% volume growth.
