North American grape juice manufacturer Welch's has collaborated with New Jersey-based soft drink firm Global Beverage to expand its soda line with new flavours and formats across the US.

The partnership is expected to bring Welch's to the forefront in the carbonated soft drink industry.

Welch's chief executive officer Brad Irwin said: "Global Beverage's expertise in the industry and distribution excellence combined with our brand make this collaboration good business, and more importantly, will bring consumers access to more of their favourite soda."

The two companies intend to start the soda relaunch with Welch's flavours such as grape, white grape, strawberry, fruit punch, orange, pineapple and peach.

"Global Beverage's expertise in the industry and distribution excellence combined with our brand make this collaboration good business."

Both firms plan to introduce new flavours and concepts at a later stage in the future.

According to the deal, Welch's will provide the ingredients for the sodas, including Concord grapes grown by its family farmer owners, and Global Beverage will use its entrepreneurial spirit and beverage industry experience to distribute Welch's soda to US consumers.

Global Beverage president and CEO Anthony Pessolano said: "We did extensive consumer research, and the feedback is as strong as anything I have ever seen.

“With flavoured soft drinks projected to grow double digit over the next five years, we are extremely excited for the future."