The Innovation Business Group has developed a comprehensive series of informational, business development, and resource-driven websites focused on key medical, wellness, and health-related topics. Our mission is to bridge the gap between consumer demand and product innovation by inviting consumer product companies to develop and introduce new offerings tailored to these specialized markets. Through our platforms, we aim to educate and engage consumers actively seeking these subjects while also serving as a valuable resource for businesses and organizations looking for strategic guidance in these areas. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we create opportunities for brands to align with emerging health and wellness trends, ensuring their products reach the right audience at the right time.
For over a century, the Durban family has built a legacy in the food and beverage industry, beginning in the 1920s when Peter Durban opened his first meat markets and supermarkets in the Midwest. These early businesses laid the foundation for a multi-generational commitment to food retail and manufacturing. By the 1950s and 1960s, the family expanded westward, opening additional stores in Los Angeles while integrating the second generation—Joe, Monte, John, and Bill Durban—into the business. During this time, Uncle Tom Eritano established a successful chain of butcher shops across Southern California, further solidifying the family's reputation in the meat and grocery industries.
As the industry evolved, so did the Durban family’s entrepreneurial focus. By the 1970s and 1980s, the family shifted from retail into manufacturing and distribution, pioneering private-label production and exploring new consumer trends. By the 1990s and 2000s, the **third generation—Dennis, Jack, and Andy Durban—expanded into leadership roles with major global corporations such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Heinz, bringing valuable industry expertise to the family’s growing portfolio. In 2009, they co-founded Conzumables, a company dedicated to consumer product innovation, brand incubation, and contract manufacturing, helping emerging food and beverage brands scale their operations.
Today, the fourth generation continues this tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship, marking the family’s 100-year anniversary in the industry. Austin Durban now co-leads Conzumables, specializing in online retail expansion and emerging market trends, while Sean Vandebrake has successfully launched his own snack brand, Pub Jerky, and advises within the family business. The Durban family's impact now spans four generations, touching supermarkets, contract manufacturing, foodservice, and brand development—all while staying true to their roots in quality, innovation, and food industry leadership.
With 35 years of experience in the consumer products industry, the Conzumables Team and their partners (www.Conzumables.com) have built a legacy of expertise, innovation, and brand incubation, blending a deep understanding of food and beverage with a strong media presence to support, launch, and elevate emerging brands. Their hands-on involvement spans product development, strategic growth, distribution, and retail execution, helping startups scale from concept to national and global success. Over the years, they have worked with some of the largest and most influential companies in the industry, including Nestlé, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Conagra, Campbell’s, and Danone, bringing industry-leading insights and experience to every project.
Beyond working with global giants, the Conzumables Team has played a pivotal role in the rise of natural and organic brands, their direct involvement includes co-founding groundbreaking brands like Nature’s Bakery and Core Bar, holding equity stakes in category disruptors such as Perfect Bar, and mentoring hundreds of early-stage brands on their journey to market success. Their influence extends across a wide portfolio, having worked closely with brands like Super Coffee, Transformation Factory, Exo Bar (now Magic Spoon), Else Nutrition, Serenade Farms, Tri-O-Plex, Char-Broil Organics, Kronos Foods, and Sinbad Specialties.
The founders of our organization were pioneers in developing snack and beverage programs for non-traditional retail formats, revolutionizing the way grab-and-go products were placed in hardware stores, auto parts chains, and electronics retailers. Prior to their work with Nestlé USA Corporate, it was rare to find a structured snack and beverage program in these environments. The Nestlé team launched its first pilot program in West Marine Boating Stores and, between 1995 and 1999, expanded the initiative into multiple retail chains across the U.S.. Recognizing the success of these programs, one of our founders was sent to Switzerland to help implement similar models worldwide. Beyond traditional retail, our team was also instrumental in co-founding the Hotel Pantry concept, leading to their involvement in hotel distribution and long-term advisory roles for emerging and established brands looking to expand into grab-and-go and alternative food service channels.
The growth of alternative retail and foodservice distribution was further influenced by long-term partnerships with distributors specializing in snack programs for non-food retailers. Key industry players such as Marjack Company Inc., Liberty Distribution, and Continental Concession Supplies Inc. (CCSI) played a major role in the expansion of candy, snacks, and beverage offerings into movie theaters, stadiums, office supply stores, home improvement centers, and other high-traffic retail environments. Marjack, a key distributor for Blockbuster Video, grew to $158 million in revenue before being acquired by Vistar. Liberty Distribution, founded by James Schweikert in 1998, became the leading specialty distributor for non-food retailers, supplying major chains such as Home Depot, Lowe’s, Best Buy, and AutoZone, with over 50,000 retail locations serviced by three national distribution centers. CCSI, led by Adam Gottlieb, dominated the concessions sector, serving movie theaters and entertainment venues.
Over time, Vistar acquired all three of these companies, consolidating its position as the dominant distributor for specialty, vending, concessions, and alternative retail formats, operating with 20 distribution centers and 9 Merchant’s Marts nationwide. Through these partnerships and innovations, our founders helped shape the evolution of snack distribution across a wide range of non-traditional and foodservice channels.
The Contract Manufacturing Alliance (www.ContractMFG.org) was co-founded by Conzumables and the Contract Packaging Association as a centralized resource for manufacturing consumer products, bringing together key players across the food, beverage, health, beauty, and household goods industries. Designed to serve as a go-to network for Contract Manufacturers, Pilot Plants, Private Labelers, and Commercial Kitchens, the CMA provides critical support for brands of all sizes navigating the complex world of contract manufacturing and production scaling.
The Contract Manufacturing Alliance was established in collaboration with the Co-Packing Network to unite consumer product industry stakeholders, including trade associations, product developers, ingredient suppliers, packaging specialists, food scientists, incubators, funding groups, brokers, retailers, food service buyers, and distributors. By fostering collaboration, education, and resource-sharing, the CMA helps brands streamline their manufacturing operations, optimize supply chain partnerships, and successfully bring products to market. Whether supporting startups seeking their first production run or established brands expanding into new categories, the CMA plays a pivotal role in connecting industry players to manufacturing solutions that drive innovation and growth.
Conzumables is a pioneer and industry expert in retail channels, helping consumer brands navigate the complexities of retail format targeting and strategic placement. Through platforms like RetailFormats.com and InTheStore.org, Conzumables provides valuable insights into traditional and emerging retail landscapes, guiding brands on how to position their products across mass retail, grocery, convenience, specialty stores, non-traditional formats, and food service sectors. Their expertise spans category management, product placement strategies, and retail execution, ensuring that brands not only identify the right retail format targets but also develop tailored go-to-market strategies to maximize distribution, sales, and brand visibility. Whether launching a new product or expanding into alternative retail channels, Conzumables empowers brands with the knowledge, connections, and strategies needed to succeed inside the store and beyond.
