Spindrift's Eric Fenstermaker Recognized as Consumer Goods 2021 'Visionary'

This article originally appeared in CGT, and you can read it in its original form here.

Eric Fenstermaker, Supply Chain Director Spindrift Beverage Co., Inc.

Profile: 6 years with company; 1 in current role

Biggest Accomplishment

“The continued development and cohesiveness of our supply chain team” is Fenstermaker’s greatest accomplishment to date, especially in a remote-working world during the most challenging supply landscape. “Operationally supporting the kind of continued growth success that Spindrift experienced in 2020 would not have been possible without a best-in-class team.” The brand navigated an aluminum can shortage, extreme freight market fluctuations, and COVID-driven co-packer and supplier interruptions, among other obstacles. However, it was still able to build the operational foundation for its 2021 Spindrift Spiked launch — a new venture to disrupt the hard seltzer category.

2021 Optimism

Fenstermaker is looking forward to the return and impact of socialization. Office culture, in-person supplier meetings, and the “general return of socialization on a personal level are all prospects that provide much hope and optimism over the coming months.”

Greatest Tech Impact

Forecasting is top-of-mind for Fenstermaker. It has always been a sales and operational priority, but the shifts in 2020 brought it even further to the forefront. “Spindrift’s positioning within its DTC infrastructure and grocery ACV allowed it to maintain and exceed growth rates in 2020, but it shone a light on the importance of SKU mix and locational inventory availability.” Spindrift has further focused internal and external resources on both subjective and objective forecasting approaches to find the right blend, critical for the next stage of growth.

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[Related reading: Inside CAULIPOWER's 'Forecasting Superpower']

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Fun Facts

Memorable Mentor

SVP of operations David Kimmell brought Fenstermaker into Spindrift six years ago. “Over the course of that time he has been an invaluable resource for supplier relationship tact, thoughtful long-range planning, and team and culture-building while allowing me the runway to meaningfully develop in my role and my career.”

New Quarantine Hobby

Running in the mornings is Fenstermaker’s latest hobby to stick post-pandemic. “It started as a way to repurpose time I would normally be commuting, but has turned into a great way to clear my head,” he adds.

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About Unioncrate

Unioncrate is an AI-powered Integrated Business Planning (IBP) platform that delivers demand forecasts with unmatched accuracy, collaborative visibility, and actionable intelligence—enabling CPG brands to plan and execute agile supply chain strategies at the click of a button.