Sailors Rum, a new Caribbean premium rum in three flavors�spiced, cherry and coconut, is now available to U.S. consumers from LDK Concepts Inc. of Windermere, Fla., it was announced today by Lee and Debbie Atherton, president and vice president, respectively, of LDK Concepts.

            To assist with the all-important packaging concept for its new flavored rums, the Athertons engaged the services of Saxco International Inc. of Horsham, Pa., worldwide packaging specialists for the wine and spirits industry.

            Atherton credits his wife, Debbie, for the Sailors Rum concept and name.  �She came up with the concept and name, and I was the one who pulled together all of the essential components of the project,� he states.

            Saxco International sourced and supplied a round flint bottle in 750-mL, 1-L and 1.75-L sizes.  The bottles came from Anchor Glass in Tampa, Fla., a long-time Saxco vendor.

            To achieve the desired overall aged appearance for shelf prominence and brand identification, LDK Concepts went to graphic artist Carrie Simpkins of DOT Inc.  With the creative direction from LDK, she designed a burnt parchment-style label displaying a naval anchor and ship.  Saxco arranged for the pressure-sensitive labels to be applied to the 1.75-L bottles at Pre-Deco in Bardstown, Ky., another source in its extensive global resource network.

            Anchor Glass also produced the 12-unit shipping cartons for the 750-mL and 1-L sizes and the six-unit shipping cartons for the larger 1.75-L size bottles.

            Graphics for the cartons were crafted through VT Graphics of Pennsylvania, another Saxco vendor.  The pressure-sensitive labels for the 750-mL and 1-L sizes were supplied by LDK Concepts and applied by United States Distilled Products of Princeton, Minn., who also handled bottling for the Sailors Rum project.  The plastic caps also were supplied by LDK.

            �Sailors Rum will be distributed through 22 naval locations in 11 states through an agreement with NEXCOM in Norfolk, Va.,� states Lee Atherton.  In addition, states geared for Sailors Rum market launches include Florida, Texas, California, Illinois, New York, Georgia and South Carolina.  Part of the proceeds from each carton sold will be donated to The Armed Forces Relief Trust.  �Our business philosophy has always included giving something back,� notes Atherton.

            �It�s always exciting and gratifying to be immersed in the launch of a new product,� states Jerry Maya, regional sales representative for Saxco International.  �Sailors Rum should be a real rising star in the marketplace.�