The payoff: Polar's share of the soft-drink market has climbed to 33%, and Mendoza is determined to increase it further.

FORBES: The beer baron

The all-share merger would create one of Europe's leading soft drink companies.

BBC: Britvic 'confident' despite Fruit Shoot recall

Some opposition to SIDS monitors is based on a fear that parents will depend on monitors instead of following other, more effective medical measures, including always placing babies on their backs to sleep, keeping redundant bedding and soft objects out of the crib, and not having babies share a bed with adults.

ENGADGET: Researchers use wireless network to monitor breathing, could save lives

The firm generates about one-third of its income there, with its 85% share of the American market for machines that make posh Italian ice-cream and 30% for machines that make soft ice-cream.

ECONOMIST: Italian champions (2)