E XA M P L E A RT I C L ES
SOUROTI
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Historic water loved for a century
Local legend tells stories of Alexander the Great visiting the river of Anthemountas, Greece, to drink the water of Souroti. However, this water steeped in history isn’t afraid to move with the times. With official origins dating back to the First World War, Souroti has grown to become a market leader in bottled carbonated water. Article by Laura Watling.
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ouroti is one of the best-known carbonated water brands in Europe, synonymous with both high quality and natural, healing properties. The spring from which it derives is based at the edge of Mount Kalavros, in Souroti, Greece. The first bottling facility for Souroti was established by French troops in 1915, during the First World War. Troops were so impressed by the quality of the water that they set up a rudimentary bottling facility to export water to France. Serbian troops followed suit in 1917, building a two-storey bottling facility, naming the water ‘Kisepe Boda’ or ‘acidulous water’. Once the war had ended, the facility was taken over and renovated by Souroti resident, Thomas Lolas. Moving through the decades, by 1987 the business had officially become owned by the Souroti village and became a Communal Bottling Company.
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“Since becoming a Communal Bottling Company, we have been recognised in many ways,” explained CEO, Vassilis Efkarpidis. “Souroti is recognised by Greek Legislation as a sub-acidic sparkling mineral water rich in calcium and magnesium.” Souroti is also included in the EU’s list of Natural Mineral Waters and has a number of awards and accolades to its name. “In 1992, Souroti won the Arch of Europe Gold Star Award and most recently we’ve been awarded the 2020 Superior Taste Award,” Souroti’s CEO proudly told. Souroti’s bottling facility is still based in the village of the same name, but now has a modern bottling plant with four complete production lines, using state-of-the-art equipment. From this plant, more than 35 million bottles of Souroti sparkling natural mineral water are produced annually. As well as this, the company also has a branch in Athens. The water is known for the quality of its natural contents. Containing approximately 1,400 mg of dissolved solids and minerals per litre, it is one of the richest mineral waters in the world. Just one litre of Souroti provides 25% of an adult’s recommended daily allowance for calcium and 15% for magnesium. Interestingly, the water’s composition hasn’t changed since it was first analysed in 1916. Of course, quality is a focus for the business at all stages. “We’re currently implementing a management system which will guarantee high and consistent quality control,” said Mr Efkarpidis. “We also use the latest methods for handling and bottling. Compliance is key to us, so we hold ISO 9001 and ISO 22000, both of which are certified by ELOT, the Hellenic Organisation for Standards”. By doing so, Souroti has gained consumer trust whilst also gaining access to foreign markets. The Souroti facility has a fully equipped laboratory manned by a team of specialist scientists. They’re able to find and use the latest technology for water handling and bottling, whilst also carrying out quality control tests throughout various stages of the production process.
A water for today Despite its historic past, Souroti understands the importance of engaging the modernday consumer. “We’re currently repositioning ourselves as a ‘good for me choice’ with consumers, aiming to inspire a better life every day,” explained Mr Efkarpidis. “In order to appeal to the new generations, it’s important to research consumer trends. Our products contain no sugar and are made
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TRIVARGA
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PROFILE
As the leading distributor of independent beverage brands in Switzerland, Trivarga, active on four continents, is also a developer and producer of third-party beverages in a multitude of categories. As a fast-moving innovator, the company launches up to four new brands for international distribution each year. Article by Romana Moares and Davina van Buren.
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he word ‘trivarga’ comes from Sanskrit and describes the trinity of all things – coming into being, existing, passing away. Work, merit, pleasure. Loss, perseverance, gain. It’s a meaning and philosophy echoed by a Swiss based independent beverage specialist which has adopted the name. Arturo Sutter, CEO of Trivarga, told how the business started as a ‘strategic coincidence’, when someone told him about a then
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unknown product called Arizona Iced Tea, when he himself worked for a private label, Red Bull. He spotted the market gap on the small Swiss monopolistic market with its limited diversification. 12 years on, Trivarga is a well-established player divided into three business units: Trivanova – the distributed brands business; Trivabida – the generated products business; and Trivamarca – the ownbrands business.
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CHAIIWALA
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PROFILE
onth s 36-m bitiou n-inspired m a n India chise has a wala rowth. The Fran Chaii g pany’s Har riet y for m g o te c a k to str in r d d e d lk ta an oots food il Naik mpany’s r s. tor N co lan Direc ut the pansion p o b a Jones diverse ex s it and
K city the U a re of fer s ed to n d d ri n k s a decid d it d y o n il a fo fam ld. la’s e UK cester a ii w a n d th nd the wor a , a Lei d ay, C h et s a ro u 5 ou as 01 2 . To d ar u tl we ll ack in f th e E a st d a t 3 3 o g savoure es as o n ce co ff e ei n d b e n ri a si p a a la of e s h a ii w g ex p the brink ic e d te a b e in id : “C te the on f sp lica to r, sa fer is a ra n g e o o d . D ir ec ily to rep populaue of fo e is et uniq a la se ll s m ch sian w Fra n e same fa o f st re the A w a la C h a ii n g m e n u mp a ny ’s of th ai is what in d C h a ii ste ti co ber s ta Ch te mp a ik , th e beh e mem it h chai. ta lg ic e u rs N il N p by thre p re n n it y a n os to people sw e tr op u n k tsh u ee rin co m m was se s of coffee n a n d th the d A si an troduce es po u ’s s, er w succ in d st re n er also a ll g ive L ei ce s fou ti o n e and sines e.” d to g d hom d it befor ok the bu ri se . wan te y life an rp lnce e to su fo ie il or y m m b er st of fa ’t exp the first m el ig h t, st a g ra to hadn li ive In b u si n e ss who success of u t o f th e s p re ss o n im ro a ch th e a n d ci ti e The st ay s rew a p li ke to u ick ly g to a p d in tow n n a who g q , le b e b e o p e n e wa la p ss ii o e a e n h p C ld u si g and s co u is e b low in a n ch is e a n ch ow n e rs fr e a fr t to b r th a t th e ke th e a sk if th e U K . ta mean la nd s a n d n ew a ro u a s n eve r s so p o p u e is ch to “I t w ra n d w a t fr a n we o ff e r abou eb ce b u t th d to le a rn ex p e ri e n e d d. d e ci d ta st e a n ex p la in e e u ik u n iq ” M r Na s, p la ce
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CLEAN JUICE
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PROFILE
Capturing the wellness wave, Kat and Landon Eckles have surfed into 23 US states with their Clean Juice franchise as it seeks to put premium USDA-certified organic products into healthy fast food trends, front and centre. As the concept grows – with 90 locations open and more than 60 juice bars in development – the entrepreneurs are helping to inspire thousands to be healthy in body and strong in spirit. By Andy Probert.
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