UK now has nearly 700,000 water coolers
Almost unheard of 20 years ago, there are now 412 water coolers for every 1,000 VAT registered businesses in Britain, according to the latest report on UK Water Coolers from leading food and drink consultancy Zenith International.
At the end of 2008, there were a total of 694,000 coolers installed, 12% more than five years ago, but 3% less than in 2007.
“The UK market experienced very rapid growth through the 1990s and it has certainly slowed since then,†commented Zenith Director Mark Groves. “Most employers now recognise the value of healthy hydration at work, but the economic downturn has led to a recent reduction in the overall number of locations.â€Â
The biggest change in the market has been a move from bottled water coolers to plumbed-in mains water coolers, known as point of use coolers. In 2003, point of use accounted for 14% of the total. By December 2008, its share had risen to 38%.
“Most coolers are located in offices or other places of work,†continued Mark Groves. “Point of use has proved particularly popular in hospitals and schools. The average cost of a cooler is around £250 a year including cups and sanitisation, so it’s a relatively modest expense for a material employee and consumer benefit.â€Â
The industry’s two leading companies are Eden Springs and PHS Waterlogic, each with around 100,000 units. Third placed Powwow Water Company was bought by Lomond Hills from Nestlé Waters Powwow in December 2008. Angel Springs and Culligan International are the only two other companies with more than 20,000 units.
After a further small market decline, Zenith forecasts a return to gradual growth, taking the total number of coolers to 750,000 by 2015, when there could well be more point of use than bottled coolers.
The 2009 Zenith Report on UK Water Coolers contains over 140 pages of market commentary, charts and tables together with company profiles. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 or e-mail info@zenithinternational.com
For further information, please contact:
Mark Groves or Charmaine Holmes, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
t +44 (0)1225 327900, f +44 (0)1225 327901
zenithinternational.com