United Kingdom - 5 of top 10 water cooler businesses sold for £50 million
Five of the top ten businesses in the UK water cooler industry were sold for over £50 million during 1998, according to new research by specialist consultancy Zenith International presented at the UK Bottled Water Cooler Association Annual Meeting on 26th January.
"Ten years ago very few people in Britain had ever seen a water cooler," commented Zenith Chairman Richard Hall. "At the end of 1998 there were as many as 200,000 in offices, canteens, showrooms, waiting rooms and homes right across the country. That’s 21% more than a year ago and nearly four times the level five years ago. One in five employees now has access to a water cooler."
In 1998 over 46,000 coolers changed hands. The largest buyers were A S Watson from Hong Kong, Culligan from the United States, Sparkling Spring from Canada and locally based Test Valley. US owned Ionics UK remains the biggest single company.
"This is an industry that has truly come of age", added Richard Hall. "Some of the leaders are major international players and there are also more than 100 dedicated smaller private businesses. It is only a matter of time before we see the first publicly quoted company from the sector."
The 1999 Zenith Guide to UK Water Coolers contains 185 pages, 58 detailed company profiles and a full UK market analysis. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901info@zenithinternational.com.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901
"Ten years ago very few people in Britain had ever seen a water cooler," commented Zenith Chairman Richard Hall. "At the end of 1998 there were as many as 200,000 in offices, canteens, showrooms, waiting rooms and homes right across the country. That’s 21% more than a year ago and nearly four times the level five years ago. One in five employees now has access to a water cooler."
In 1998 over 46,000 coolers changed hands. The largest buyers were A S Watson from Hong Kong, Culligan from the United States, Sparkling Spring from Canada and locally based Test Valley. US owned Ionics UK remains the biggest single company.
"This is an industry that has truly come of age", added Richard Hall. "Some of the leaders are major international players and there are also more than 100 dedicated smaller private businesses. It is only a matter of time before we see the first publicly quoted company from the sector."
The 1999 Zenith Guide to UK Water Coolers contains 185 pages, 58 detailed company profiles and a full UK market analysis. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901info@zenithinternational.com.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901