Aloe Burst tastes success in Britain and Ireland

Health drink Aloe Burst, developed in Northern Ireland by the Natural Import Company, has won its first business in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Launched in 2011, the soft drink, which is made from pureed aloe and spring water, has begun supplying the drink to Big Food EU in London, a leading European speciality wholesaler, and to DDC Foods, also based in London.

In the Republic of Ireland, Aloe Burst is being supplied to top caterer Compass, following a request for Google in Dublin for the drink, as well as wholesalers Simply Wild and Wholefoods.

The company, formed by Chris Martin in 2010, is also negotiating distribution deals in Scotland and the Netherlands.

"The distribution deals in London and Dublin give us a strong platform for growth in both of these important markets and are a tremendous boost for Aloe Burst as we seek to drive sales outside Northern Ireland.

"I will be at the Google offices in Dublin in April as part of a series of samplings to support the work of our distribution partners. Interest in Aloe Burst is developing strongly, and I aim to be selling in the Netherlands soon. It will provide a solid springboard for expansion into other neighbouring markets.

"Our research indicates that there are significant opportunities for us in the European marketplace.

"Aloe Burst is a unique drink in that we puree our natural aloe in Northern Ireland. Customers can count on the provenance of what is essentially a locally produced, natural soft drink without any artificial colours or flavours. The drink is also totally fat-free."

The company is based at Portrush in County Antrim and uses artesian spring water from a well in Ballyclare, which offers unrivalled natural purity, from an established and traceable source.

The company imports natural aloe vera directly from an established, organically certified supplier in China, then purees it and blends with the spring water and other natural ingredients. The whole process is under the company's complete control.

Aloe Burst is geared to health conscious consumers. In addition, the company is working on developing a range of cocktails with help from a leading mixologist.

The Natural Import Company, which produces and markets Aloe Burst, has tied up with sports clubs including those involved in surfing and wakeboarding in a targeted marketing drive towards health conscious sports enthusiasts. This includes sponsorship of wakeboarding competitions.