Water coolers reach 1 in 10 UK businesses
The ever rising number of bottled water coolers in Britain jumped another 30% in 1997 to 165,000, four times the level of five years ago, according to a new report from specialist consultants Zenith International.
"This represents more than 10% of all VAT registered businesses," commented Zenith Chairman Richard Hall, speaking at the Bottled Water Cooler Association Annual Meeting in Reading on 22nd January 1998. "Most coolers are in offices, but they are also becoming more common in shops, waiting rooms and even in people's homes," he explains.
Water coolers now account for 14% of UK bottled water consumption and 30% of bottled water growth. 57% of cooler volume is in 18.9 litre bottles and spring water has taken a lead with a 48% share.
Both of the two largest companies, Ionics (UK) Ltd with its Aqua Cool label and Sparkling Spring Water UK Ltd with the Nature Springs and Galloway brands, had almost 30,000 coolers each at the end of 1997 and have been active in making some of several recent acquisitions in the sector.
"The industry is going through a phase of consolidation at present and the first multinational operations are beginning to emerge, but there will always be a place for efficient regional operators too," adds Richard Hall. "We fully expect the number of coolers to double again by the year 2002 and it may well continue to grow by 10% a year after that."
The 1997 Zenith Guide to UK Water Coolers contains 156 pages, 56 company profiles, 16 tables and a full market overview with rankings and forecasts. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Caroline Philiponnet, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901
"This represents more than 10% of all VAT registered businesses," commented Zenith Chairman Richard Hall, speaking at the Bottled Water Cooler Association Annual Meeting in Reading on 22nd January 1998. "Most coolers are in offices, but they are also becoming more common in shops, waiting rooms and even in people's homes," he explains.
Water coolers now account for 14% of UK bottled water consumption and 30% of bottled water growth. 57% of cooler volume is in 18.9 litre bottles and spring water has taken a lead with a 48% share.
Both of the two largest companies, Ionics (UK) Ltd with its Aqua Cool label and Sparkling Spring Water UK Ltd with the Nature Springs and Galloway brands, had almost 30,000 coolers each at the end of 1997 and have been active in making some of several recent acquisitions in the sector.
"The industry is going through a phase of consolidation at present and the first multinational operations are beginning to emerge, but there will always be a place for efficient regional operators too," adds Richard Hall. "We fully expect the number of coolers to double again by the year 2002 and it may well continue to grow by 10% a year after that."
The 1997 Zenith Guide to UK Water Coolers contains 156 pages, 56 company profiles, 16 tables and a full market overview with rankings and forecasts. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Caroline Philiponnet, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901
