Harrogate Spring Water boosts global expansion with US export deals

Bottled water brand Harrogate Spring Water has secured export deals with American firms in its first expansion into the US market.

The North Yorkshire-based company has secured an order from Texas gourmet grocery chain Central Market as well as a distribution deal with The Chef’s Warehouse, which has 15 stores across the US and Canada.

News of the export deals follows Harrogate Spring Water reporting an 11 per cent increase in sales in 2018, and comes as the company plans to expand into the Middle East after attending food and drink trade show Gulfood in Dubai last year.

The Yorkshire-based firm partnered with the government’s Department for International Trade (DIT) to boost its international expansion, receiving support from designated international trade advisers (ITAs).

Greg Hatton, export and business development manager at Harrogate Spring Water, said: “We started exporting ten years ago, and thanks to Defra and DIT’s help, our overseas sales are going from strength to strength. Our ITAs have helped us find new markets and bridge any regulatory barriers required to export to them.”

“We’ve also learnt that as the oldest bottled water brand in the UK, dating back to 1571 and first bottled in 1740, our heritage appeals to overseas consumers. There’s so much support available, and great interest in British products from customers in other countries.”

Mark Robson, DIT head of region of Yorkshire and the Humber, added: “Harrogate Spring Water’s exporting success is testament to a strong growth plan and effective use of the support available from our team here in Yorkshire.

“The firm has been working closely with our ITAs on the ground to tap into new markets and learn how to overcome barriers, such as adapting product labels, resulting in extremely successful export wins.”