My farewell to the world of water coolers
September 16, 2013
FoodBev Media’s Hannah Oakman is moving on after 8 years on the Cooler Innovation editorial team...
‘Point of use … what’s that then?’. These were probably the first words I uttered when I joined the FoodBev (then Zenith International Publishing) team as editor of H2O Europe and The Point in 2005.
To my mind, a water cooler was just a white box with a big bottle on top, which lurked in the corner of the office and was good for a cold glass of H2O and a gossip about last night’s TV.
Well, as I write today in 2013 to announce my departure from Cooler Innovation magazine and FoodBev Media, I can honestly say I could not have imagined what a varied and wonderful world the water cooler and drinking water industry would turn out to be.
Firstly, there are the people. I have met a truly entrepreneurial, engaging, fun and slightly off-the-wall collection of ladies and gentlemen from all corners of the globe, who work tirelessly to promote growth in the industry.
While it's true that there has been a great deal of consolidation in the cooler world in the last eight years, there are still a sizeable number of enterprising small-to-medium businesses out there.
I have called on all of you, large and small, many times over the years for stories, advice and viewsand you have never let me down. I believe that it is through your voices that Cooler Innovation magazine has grown into a strong ‘spokesperson’ for this industry, not afraid to speak out on the issues that really matter.
Secondly, I was quite wrong about that white box in the corner – innovation really is the backbone of this industry.Bottled water coolers and mains-fed machines have changed beyond imagination since 2005, to meet consumer demand in the marketplace. From sophisticated chilling systems, slimline bottles and high-purity dispense, to undercounter chillers and boilers, stainless steel in-wall creations and sleek countertop models, I have seen a world of change and aimed to report it all back to you, the reader.
I am convinced that the technology will continue to become smarter, neater and with even less environmental footprint in the decades to come.
And finally, there is the fact that being in the health and wellness industry must leave the water cooler industry very well placed for the future. The issues of good hydration and wellness will only continue to grow in prominence and importance.
As I bid you farewell to embark on the next stage of my career, I would just like to thank everyone I have met along the way