Seaman's Beverages

Seaman's Beverages was a family-run business involved in the manufacturing of carbonated beverages. It was established in 1939 by F.R. Seaman, and operated independently until 2002 where it was sold to The Pepsi Bottling Group. Only two of the beverage flavours survive to this day, being sold in aluminum cans and plastic bottles instead of glass bottles.

Seaman's Beverages Ltd.
IndustryBeverage
Founded1939
FateAcquired by The Pepsi Bottling Group. Brand survived while the company was dissolved. Brand discontinued in 2020.
Headquarters
Charlottetown
,
Canada
Area served
The Maritimes, but mostly Prince Edward Island

History

The business was founded in 1939 by F. R. Seaman, after he acquired a loan of $2,500 from one of his cousins. He operated out of an old brick building that also served as his residence in the early years. He delivered soda to local stores in the backseat of his Ford jalopy. F. R Seaman married Jean MacLeod.

Sometime in the 1960s, Seaman's obtained a license to bottle Pepsi Cola products, and as a result, the factory had to be expanded. They were encouraged to stop producing their own brand and exclusively produce Pepsi Cola products, but they refused, because the Seaman's branded products have always done well.[1]

The last owner of the business was Rundell Seaman, who sold the business to The Pepsi Bottling Group in 2002. Before the sale there was 11 different flavours, that was quickly reduced to 4–5, and then two. (Orange and Ginger Ale)

The bottling plant in Charlottetown was closed down and converted into a depot for soda produced in Moncton. The Moncton bottling plant took over production for the brand.

Before the acquisition, Seaman's products were sold around the Maritimes, Toronto, and Montreal. Before the brand was discontinued it is mostly sold in Prince Edward Island, but they could occasionally be found elsewhere in the Maritimes.[2]

Pepsi distribution on Prince Edward Island is now managed by a local company, and the depot has been occupied by a local food products supplier.[3]

In 2010, The Pepsi Bottling Group and PepsiAmericas were purchased by PepsiCo. [4]

In early 2020, Pepsi discounted the brand due to low demand. [5]

Flavours

Over its history, the company has produced a range of flavours, including:

  • Olde Fashioned Orange (Current Flavour)
  • Diet Orange with Sucralose
  • Cream Soda
  • Ginger Ale (Current Flavour)
  • Ginger Brew
  • Birch Beer
  • Grapefruit and Lime
  • Lime Rickey
  • Root Beer

[6]

References
  1. Burke, Carl. "F.R. Seaman". www.edu.pe.ca. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
  2. "Seaman 'doubtful' flavours will continue". CBC. Jan 16, 2008. Retrieved Oct 1, 2019.
  3. Higgins, Brian (May 1, 2017). "8 jobs lost as local company takes over Pepsi distribution on P.E.I." CBC. Retrieved Oct 1, 2019.
  4. "The Pepsi Bottling Group", Wikipedia, 2019-09-10, retrieved 2019-10-03
  5. Fernando, Tarini (Jul 29, 2021). "Seaman's orange pop is no more. But this Islander is hoping to save it". CBC PEI. Retrieved 2022-03-13.
  6. "Seaman's Gourmet Sodas | All Products - BevNET.com". www.bevnet.com. Retrieved 2019-10-01.
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