Dr Pepper Snapple Group
There are many other firms from mature industries that are leading examples of success in managing technological change. For example, the
Dr Pepper Snapple Group developed the Deja Blue product line. This is the most basic product imaginable: bottled water. The bottling group was able to employ technology to become the low-cost producer in the industry.
Each step of the production process used all the technology possible to lower costs. None of the technological innovations is radical. For example, the production process was designed to take out curves in the production line. This reduces the number of products falling off the line. Similarly, the production process is such that the machinery that fills the bottles has ninety different heads that never have to stop. The conveyor technology when the bottle is full is at a slight angle so that the bottles stay upright as they are placed on pallets. Since 2007, Deja Blue bottles have used 35 percent less plastic than the industry standard and have begun using green ink tech-nologies on the label. This reduces waste for society, but also reduces costs for the Dr Pepper Snapple Group.
1.In what ways is the management of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group seeking and supporting innovation processes within the firm?