Sparkling deal in US for Classic Mineral Water

Classic Mineral Water Company in Northern Ireland has won business in the US for its sparkling and flavoured water products that could be worth over £250,000 this year.

The company, Northern Ireland's leading bottler of sparkling and still water and a range of flavoured waters, has recently started supplying products to Big Lots of Columbus, Ohio, one of the biggest US retail chains.

The US business was announced by Thomas Morgan, Classic Mineral's Sales Manager, who says: "Winning business from a corporation of the size of Big Lots is a marvelous boost for us. It gives us an immensely important foothold in a market that we've been targeting for some time. Big Lots has a network of 1,400 stores in 47 US states and recently acquired a business in Canada.

"The buying team at Big Lots was extremely supportive in helping us to comply with the requirements of the US Food and Drink Administration, other paperwork, shipping arrangements and on some minor labelling issues. The contract also involved us developing a new one litre bottle which suited their sales strategy.

"What appealed to them was the essential provenance and Irish heritage of our both our sparkling and flavoured waters which use spring water sourced from our own artesian wells on the site of our bottling plant in Lurgan. They recognised that they could count on us to provide quality products over which we have total control.

"The buyers also appreciated that we were keen to do business with them and we prepared to work with them on developing products that met their specific requirements. Companies have to be flexible and responsive to secure business in this extremely important marketplace. As a result of our approach, they have responded by placing repeat business over the past six months," added Mr Morgan.

Founded in 1948, Classic Mineral Water Company currently employs 30 people in Lurgan, County Armagh in the processing of a broad range of high quality soft drinks and mineral waters, including a seven-strong range of flavoured waters such lemon and lime, country pear, orchard peach and wild blackberry.

The company remains a family-owned and managed business which sells its products throughout the UK and Ireland to retailers including major multiples. It also exports to Saudi Arabia, Cyprus and other European markets.

In picture is, (left), Maynard Mawhinney, Head of Food and Tourism, Invest NI, and Thomas Morgan, Sales Manager at Classic Mineral Water Company.