Second China contract for Northern Irish artesian water business

Water Within, the Northern Irish artesian water brand, has won a second major contract in China in just over a month. It is now also targeting business in the United Arab Emirates by taking part in next month's Gulfood exhibition in Dubai.

The brand, developed by Antrim Hills Spring Water from its own artesian spring well, is to supply bottled water to SBP in Shenzen in China for distribution to customers in both retail and food service throughout China. It is supplying the artesian water in 500ml bottles to China.

In addition to Water Within, the Northern Irish company will supply its Drip'n'Drop water product aimed at children and young people.

The company, based at Ballyclare in county Antrim, won a breakthrough contract in China in early December from Hanscent, a leading distributor with centres in Shanghai and Ningbo.

The latest contract is a further outcome of the company's participation in last year's Hotel China trade show.

The second contract in China for the small artisan business, which employs 12 people, was announced by Antrim Hills Spring Water operations director Peter Geary, who says: "Winning a second contract in China in such a short space of time is immensely encouraging and will strengthen our presence in both retail and foodservice sectors in a very dynamic market, one which offers extensive opportunities for our natural and safe water with provenance.

"We will work with both distributors to develop further opportunities in this very exciting market.

"Both distributors were influenced by our artesian spring well which provides all the water for our extensive range of 100 per cent natural spring and flavoured products.

"We draw all our water from our unique artesian well which is naturally filtered by the basalt rock formations of county. Antrim and bottled by us without any additives whatsoever," he adds.

Formed in 1989, Antrim Spring Water is a family-owned and managed business which operates from a state-of-the-art processing plant.

The company also supplies natural spring and flavoured water to major retailers in the United Kingdom and other international markets. It has also developed a sports drink.