Bottles Bounce Back, UK Water Cooler Conference “Winners”. New UK market research shows positive growth

March 30, 2015

BWCA Members enjoyed a very successful two days at their annual conference on 18th & 19th March.  The two day event started with the annual BWCA Golf Day followed by the Chairman’s Welcome Supper attended by over 80 delegates.  The event took as its theme 'Winners', reflecting the book title of the keynote speaker, writer, communicator and strategist, Alastair Campbell,

On the following day, nearly 150 delegates from 14 countries packed into the Conference to hear a very positive and encouraging presentation from BWCA & WE Chairman, John Dundon.   He spoke of the valuable work WE undertakes on behalf of its Members, creating a safe and profitable European market and industry, providing invaluable lobbying services.

He outlined the health benefits of water and the move by consumers towards wellness.  “We also need to remind people of our environmental credentials.  As an industry ours is the lowest carbon footprint of any liquid that we can find.  We need to continue to evaluate this.”

Amy Lathrop Visser, Senior Market Consultant from Zenith International reported on the 2014 data, describing “a turning point in the market dynamics.  For the first time, bottled water coolers gained against POU units.”  The combined POU and BWC in the UK market rose in value by 8%.  The market is now worth £121 million (€165,226,342) compared with £112 million (€152,936,779) in 2013.

The UK is a key market in Europe, as it remains the largest single cooler market in Europe, with a share of 24% of the total.  The next largest markets, Italy and France, have a 17% and 15% share respectively.

A very popular and well supported trade show was held in the afternoon with 36 exhibitors  and a showcase arena featured Clearwater, Ebac and Zerica.   In the evening, the Gala Dinner was attended by over 100 delegates, with golf prize presentations, entertainment with a Welsh theme and casino tables.

Sponsors of the BWCA event were Pureflo, Crystal Mountain, Princes Gate Cool Water, Angel Springs, 4 Aces, Kleena Coola and Database Workshop.