N.Z. water to U.K.

Press, 30 August 1989, Page 37

N.Z. water to U.K.

Leading local mineral water brand, NZ Natural, bottled at Kaiapoi, will soon be available in British supermarkets and liquor outlets following the appointment of a distributor in U.K. and with the first shipment of several thousand cases of NZ Natural ready to leave Lyttelton. NZ Natural bottler, Aqua Source Holdings, Ltd says it has been trying to break into the British market for nearly two years. “Bottled water consumption in U.K. experienced strong growth in the 1980 s, but the market has, to date, been dominated by European mineral water brands,” the company says. “British and European markets are competitive and complex in their distribution structures, but at the consumer end the presentation of the NZ Natural brand had received a very positive response from customers. “The image of New Zealand as a source of pure, natural mineral water is very positive in many markets around

the world,” it said. The establishment of overseas markets absorbs an enormous amount of time, money and energy, but what has been equally gratifying has been the demand for NZ Natural in the New Zealand market. The company has experienced excellent sales through retail chains, Foodtown and Nathans. Aqua Source is now controlled by businessmen, Mr John McDonald, of Christchurch, and Mr Rob Fenwick, of Auckland. Mr Fenwick, a former public relations consultant and director of Met Life Group, acquired his shares recently following a decision by FAI Met Life to sell its shareholding. In 1985, Met Life provided Aqua Source founder, Mr Macdonald with venture capital. The company markets mineral water in either carbonated or still forms. NZ Natural is also exported to U.S., Japan, Taiwan and Australia.