business plan for water company

Bottled Water Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Bottled Water Business Plan

Over the past 20+ years, we have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans to start and grow their bottled water production companies. On this page, we will first give you some background information with regards to the importance of business planning. We will then go through a bottled water business plan template step-by-step so you can create your plan today.

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What is a Bottled Water Business Plan?

A business plan provides a snapshot of your bottled water company as it stands today, and lays out your growth plan for the next five years. It explains your business goals and your strategy for reaching them. It also includes market research to support your plans.

Why You Need a Business Plan for a Bottled Water Facility

If you’re looking to start a bottled water business, or grow your existing business, you need a business plan. A business plan will help you raise funding, if needed, and plan out the growth of your bottled water company in order to improve your chances of success. Your business plan is a living document that should be updated annually as your company grows and changes.

Sources of Funding for Bottled Water

With regards to funding, the main sources of funding for a bottled water company are personal savings, credit cards, bank loans and angel investors. With regards to bank loans, banks will want to review your business plan and gain confidence that you will be able to repay your loan and interest. To acquire this confidence, the loan officer will not only want to confirm that your financials are reasonable, but they will also want to see a professional plan. Such a plan will give them the confidence that you can successfully and professionally operate a business. Personal savings and bank loans are the most common funding paths for bottled water businesses.

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How to write a business plan for a bottled water company.

If you want to start a bottled water company or expand your current one, you need a business plan. Below we detail what should be included in each section of a business plan for a bottled water production company.

Executive Summary

Your executive summary provides an introduction to your business plan, but it is normally the last section you write because it provides a summary of each key section of your plan.

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of bottled water company you are operating and the status. For example, are you a startup, do you have a bottled water business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a bottled water production company in multiple markets?

Next, provide an overview of each of the subsequent sections of your plan. For example, give a brief overview of the bottled water industry. Discuss the type of bottled water business you are operating. Detail your direct competitors. Give an overview of your target customers. Provide a snapshot of your marketing plan. Identify the key members of your team. And offer an overview of your financial plan.  

Company Analysis

In your company analysis, you will detail the type of bottled water company you are operating.

For example, you might operate one of the following types of bottled water businesses:

• Purified or Distilled bottled water : this type of bottled water sells water that has been produced by distillation, deionization, or reverse osmosis.
• Sparkling bottled water: this type of bottled water contains carbon dioxide after the water has been treated. 
• Alkaline bottled waters: this type of bottled water includes increased hydrogen that causes greater hydration. Fitness enthusiasts are fans of this type of water as it provides more hydration than regular water. 

In addition to explaining the type of bottled water business you will operate, the Company Analysis section of your business plan needs to provide background on the business.

Include answers to question such as:

• When and why did you start the business?
• What milestones have you achieved to date? Milestones could include the number of customers served, number of positive reviews, reaching X amount of clients served, etc.
• Your legal structure. Are you incorporated as an S-Corp? An LLC? A sole proprietorship? Explain your legal structure here.

Industry Analysis

In your industry analysis, you need to provide an overview of the bottled water industry.

While this may seem unnecessary, it serves multiple purposes.

First, researching the bottled water industry educates you. It helps you understand the market in which you are operating. 

Secondly, market research can improve your strategy, particularly if your research identifies market trends.

The third reason for market research is to prove to readers that you are an expert in your industry. By conducting the research and presenting it in your plan, you achieve just that.

The following questions should be answered in the industry analysis sectio:

• How big is the bottled water industry (in dollars)?
• Is the market declining or increasing?
• Who are the key competitors in the market?
• Who are the key suppliers in the market?
• What trends are affecting the industry?
• What is the industry’s growth forecast over the next 5 – 10 years?
• What is the relevant market size? That is, how big is the potential market for your bottled water production business? You can extrapolate such a figure by assessing the size of the market in the entire country and then applying that figure to your local population.

Customer Analysis

The customer analysis section must detail the customers you serve and/or expect to serve.

The following are examples of customer segments: grocery stores, offices, schools, and gyms.

As you can imagine, the customer segment(s) you choose will have a great impact on the type of bottled water company you operate. Clearly, gyms would respond to different marketing promotions than grocery stores, for example.

Try to break out your target customers in terms of their demographic and psychographic profiles. With regards to demographics, include a discussion of the ages, genders, locations and income levels of the customers you seek to serve.

Psychographic profiles explain the wants and needs of your target customers. The more you can understand and define these needs, the better you will do in attracting and retaining your customers.

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Competitive Analysis

Your competitive analysis should identify the indirect and direct competitors your business faces and then focus on the latter.

Direct competitors are other bottled water production companies. 

Indirect competitors are other options that customers have to purchase from that aren’t direct competitors. This includes online retailers, sports drinks such as Gatorade and Vitamin Water, and protein shakes. You need to mention such competition as well.

With regards to direct competition, you want to describe the other bottled water businesses with which you compete. Most likely, your direct competitors will be bottled water businesses located very close to your location.

For each such competitor, provide an overview of their businesses and document their strengths and weaknesses. Unless you once worked at your competitors’ businesses, it will be impossible to know everything about them. But you should be able to find out key things about them such as:

• What types of customers do they serve?
• What type of bottled water do they provide?
• What is their pricing (premium, low, etc.)?
• What are they good at?
• What are their weaknesses?

With regards to the last two questions, think about your answers from the customers’ perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask your competitors’ customers what they like most and least about them.

The final part of your competitive analysis section is to document your areas of competitive advantage. For example:

• Will you provide bottled water that tastes differently than the competition?
• Will you provide a type of bottled water that your competitors don’t offer?
• Will you provide better customer service?
• Will you offer better pricing?

Think about ways you will outperform your competition and document them in this section of your plan.  

Marketing Plan

Traditionally, a marketing plan includes the four P’s: Product, Price, Place, and Promotion. For a bottled water production company, your marketing plan should include the following:

Product : In the product section, you should reiterate the type of bottled water company that you documented in your Company Analysis. Then, detail the specific products you will be offering. For example, in addition to bottled water, will you provide electrolytes, different flavors, vitamins, and any other health products?

Price : Document the prices you will offer and how they compare to your competitors. Essentially in the product and price sub-sections of your marketing plan, you are presenting the services you offer and their prices.

Place : Place refers to the location of your bottled water company. Document your location and mention how the location will impact your success. For example, is your bottled water production business located in a busy retail district, an office setting, near gyms and fitness facilities, etc. Discuss how your location might be the ideal location for your customers.

Promotions : The final part of your bottled water marketing plan is the promotions section. Here you will document how you will drive customers to your location(s). The following are some promotional methods you might consider:

• Advertising in local papers and magazines
• Billboards and bus benches
• Social media marketing
• Local radio advertising

Operations Plan

While the earlier sections of your business plan explained your goals, your operations plan describes how you will meet them. Your operations plan should have two distinct sections as follows.

Everyday short-term processes include all of the tasks involved in running your bottled water business, including cleaning equipment, taking inventory, ordering new bottles and labels, placing labels on bottles, bottling each bottled water, marketing and promotions, and communicating with clients and customers.

Long-term goals are the milestones you hope to achieve. These could include the dates when you expect to sell your Xth bottled water, or when you hope to reach $X in revenue. It could also be when you expect to expand your bottled water business to a new city or location.  

Management Team

To demonstrate your bottled water business’ ability to succeed, a strong management team is essential. Highlight your key players’ backgrounds, emphasizing those skills and experiences that prove their ability to grow a company. 

Ideally you and/or your team members have direct experience in managing bottled water production companies. If so, highlight this experience and expertise. But also highlight any experience that you think will help your business succeed.

If your team is lacking, consider assembling an advisory board. An advisory board would include 2 to 8 individuals who would act like mentors to your business. They would help answer questions and provide strategic guidance. If needed, look for advisory board members with experience in managing a bottled water production business or marketing executive with experience in company branding and advertising.  

Financial Plan

Your financial plan should include your 5-year financial statement broken out both monthly or quarterly for the first year and then annually. Your financial statements include your income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statements.

Income Statement : an income statement is more commonly called a Profit and Loss statement or P&L. It shows your revenues and then subtracts your costs to show whether you turned a profit or not.

In developing your income statement, you need to devise assumptions. For example, will you start with a small selection of bottled water flavors and types and expand to offer a wider selection of bottled water ? And will sales grow by 2% or 10% per year? As you can imagine, your choice of assumptions will greatly impact the financial forecasts for your business. As much as possible, conduct research to try to root your assumptions in reality.

Balance Sheets : Balance sheets show your assets and liabilities. While balance sheets can include much information, try to simplify them to the key items you need to know about. For instance, if you spend $50,000 on building out your bottled water production business, this will not give you immediate profits. Rather it is an asset that will hopefully help you generate profits for years to come. Likewise, if a bank writes you a check for $50,000, you don’t need to pay it back immediately. Rather, that is a liability you will pay back over time.

Cash Flow Statement : Your cash flow statement will help determine how much money you need to start or grow your business, and make sure you never run out of money. What most entrepreneurs and business owners don’t realize is that you can turn a profit but run out of money and go bankrupt. 

In developing your Income Statement and Balance Sheets be sure to include several of the key costs needed in starting or growing a bottled water business:

• Cost of inventory 
• Cost of equipment and supplies
• Payroll or salaries paid to staff
• Business insurance
• Taxes and permits
• Legal expenses

Attach your full financial projections in the appendix of your plan along with any supporting documents that make your plan more compelling. For example, you might include your bottled water location lease or list of bottled water types you plan to sell.  

Putting together a business plan for your bottled water business is a worthwhile endeavor. If you follow the template above, by the time you are done, you will truly be an expert. You will really understand the bottled water industry, your competition, and your customers. You will have developed a marketing plan and will really understand what it takes to launch and grow a successful bottled water business.  

Bottled Water Business Plan FAQs

What is the easiest way to complete my bottled water business plan.

Growthink's Ultimate Business Plan Template allows you to quickly and easily complete a business plan for a bottle water production company.

Where Can I Download a Bottled Water Business Plan PDF?

You can download our Bottled Water business plan PDF  here. This is a business plan template you can use in PDF format.

What is the Goal of a Business Plan's Executive Summary?

The goal of your Executive Summary is to quickly engage the reader. Explain to them the type of water bottle business you are operating and the status; for example, are you a startup, do you have a water bottle business that you would like to grow, or are you operating a chain of water bottle businesses?

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Since 1999, Growthink has developed business plans for thousands of companies who have gone on to achieve tremendous success.   Click here to see how Growthink’s professional business plan consulting services can create your business plan for you.

Other Helpful Business Plan Articles & Templates

Bottled Water Company Business Plan Template

Written by Dave Lavinsky

Bottled Water Business Plan

You’ve come to the right place to create your Bottled Water business plan.

We have helped over 1,000 entrepreneurs and business owners create business plans and many have used them to start or grow their Bottled Water businesses.

Below is a template to help you create each section of your Bottled Water business plan.

Executive Summary

Business overview.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is a startup bottled water company located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The company is founded by Eileen Dursten, a local landowner with a series of fresh waterfalls and streams located on her thirty-acre property just outside the city of Knoxville. Eileen has been studying the concept of providing bottled water from an acceptable source of freshwater for some years. She recently had the water in three streams on her property tested for bacteria and parasitic evidence, and received a report that the water was highly-potable and acceptable for bottling. With this information, she’s decided to move forward to build the necessary infrastructure and office area to start her bottled water business.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide a unique, fresh and local source of water within each bottle, made especially for the communities within the Knoxville area. The brand name will become synonymous with “clean, crisp notes of the mountains” and it will be a distinctive product for consumers to purchase. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be the ultimate choice in Knoxville for fresh bottled water, while also offering the best pricing for local water in Knoxville.

Product Offering

The following are the products that ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide:

• Bottled water in consumer-sized containers: 12 ounce, 16 ounce and 24 ounce.
• Bottled water in 5-gallon and 7-gallon drum sizes to fit water dispensing machines.
• Flavored water (watermelon, peach, apple, lemon, and lime) in 16 ounce bottles.
• Carbonated water in 12 ounce, 16 ounce and 24 ounce sizes.

Customer Focus

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will target all individuals within the greater Knoxville area and surrounding communities. In addition, they will also target companies who use water dispensing systems. They will also target party planners and event coordinators who will want large quantities of specialty water or custom-made belly bands on the bottles for weddings, anniversaries, etc. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is committed to serving every customer in the best way possible, meeting requests for customized bottles or simply one bottle of water with courtesy.

Management Team

RiverClear Bottled Water Company will be owned and operated by Eileen Dursten, who will take the role of President. She has recruited John Matheson, a Senior Engineer, from the Jacksonville, Florida company, SwampWater, LLC.

John created the SwampWater brand and developed the water treatment and bottling systems to the 6M business it is today. He initiated robotic labeling and packaging in 2017 and has been at the forefront of business trends throughout his entire career of twenty-five years at SwampWater, LLC.

John’s role will be Senior Engineer and Vice President of the company. He is eager to be back in the Knoxville area, where his family resides, and is also eager to create another success with RiverClear Bottled Water.

Success Factors

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be able to achieve success by offering the following competitive advantages:

• Friendly, knowledgeable, and highly-qualified team at ClearRiver Bottled Water Company.
• Faultless system for treating and clarifying the pure local water of Knoxville prior to bottling.
• Unique flavoring and/or carbonation processes added to the product line that will appeal to all ages.
• Unique aspect of fresh water from the immediate area, as a “taste of home” product.
• ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will offer the best pricing in Knoxville for bottled water in comparison to other offerings. The customer, no matter whether a small concern or a large business, will receive modest pricing for superior products.

Financial Highlights

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its ClearRiver Bottled Water Company. The funding will be dedicated toward securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated towards three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and marketing costs. The breakout of the funding is below:

• Office space build-out: $20,000
• Office equipment, supplies, and materials: $10,000
• Three months of overhead expenses (payroll, rent, utilities): $150,000
• Marketing costs: $10,000
• Working capital: $10,000

The following graph outlines the financial projections for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company.

Company Overview

Who is clearriver bottled water company.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is a newly established full-service water bottling company located in Knoxville, Tennessee. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be the most reliable, cost-effective, and efficient choice for bottled water in the city of Knoxville and the surrounding communities. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide a comprehensive menu of pure local water, flavored waters, and carbonated water products for any customer to utilize. Their full-service approach includes a free water-tasting event in their bottling facility for those who would like to tour the bottling plant.

  Eileen Dursten and John Matheson will be able to provide a variety of bottled water for the residents and visitors of Knoxville. The team of professionals are highly qualified and experienced in water purification, bottling and marketing. ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is the perfect solution for those customers seeking the crisp, clear water that comes from natural streams within their local area. The best customer service will accompany that water, ensuring a seamless experience for all customers.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company History

Since incorporation, ClearRiver Bottled Water Company has achieved the following milestones:

• Registered ClearRiver Bottled Water Company, LLC to transact business in the state of Tennessee.
• Has a contract in place at one of the office buildings, where Eileen Dursten will manage the staff within the 10,000 square foot office space.
• Reached out to numerous contacts to include RiverClear Bottled Water at corporate and private party events, in addition to distribution at grocery stores and convenience shops throughout the regional area.
• Began recruiting a staff of four employees for the bottling plant and 2 office personnel to handle filing, scheduling and mitigating errors.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company Services

The following will be the services ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will provide:

Industry Analysis

• The bottled water industry is expected to grow over the next five years to over $12 billion in 2030.
• The growth will be driven by consumer demand for clean, notably pure and reliable water sources.
• The growth will be driven by the need for safe water in areas where unsafe water is often consumed, leading to illnesses.
• The growth will be driven by the demand of consumers seeking flavored and carbonated waters in lieu of sugary sodas and fruit juices.
• Costs will likely be reduced as prices are lowered for bottling processes through the use of robotics and other time-and-space saving bottling techniques.

Customer Analysis

Demographic profile of target market.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will target individuals, companies, event planners, and party coordinators in Knoxville, Tennessee. They will target associations and city and state governmental entities who will want products that originate in the city or state.

Customer Segmentation

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will primarily target the following customer profiles:

• They will target all individuals within the greater Knoxville area and surrounding communities.
• They will target companies who use water dispensing systems.
• They will target party planners and event coordinators who will want large quantities of specialty water or custom-made belly bands on the bottles for weddings, anniversaries, etc.
• They will target every customer, whether a small shop or a large enterprise and serve every customer with courtesy.

Competitive Analysis

Direct and indirect competitors.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will face competition from other companies with similar business profiles. A description of each competitor company is below.

Crystal Water Company

The Crystal Water Company, a direct competitor, is owned by a conglomerate, S & H Products, located in Dallas, Texas. Crystal Water is produced in Texas, bottled, and shipped to national distribution centers for delivery to individual chain markets, such as Walmart, Target, Safeway, and other companies that sell bottled water. Distribution is approximately 11 million bottles of water shipped monthly. The water is labeled as “pure” and carries no flavor or carbonation.

The S & H Products Company is owned and operated by the Stewart and Hart Family Trust, which has been in existence for over 75 years, selling and bottled water from a water purification system located on the family ranch.

Naturally Sweet Sparkling Water Company

The Naturally Sweet Sparkling Water Company is a direct competitor, in that the company bottles and ships water throughout Tennessee and surrounding areas. The water is carbonated, sweetened with a sugar product, and flavored artificially. No claims are made of “pure” or “local” water being used in the making of the bottled waters.

The Naturally Sweet Sparkling Water Company is owned by Hugh Grover, a businessman who started a grocery outlet in 1990 and saw the opportunity to move into bottled sparkling water when parents began to complain that their children were drinking too much soda. Hugh played with water flavors and carbonation levels until he found the perfect fit, then brought in a bottling company to replicate his efforts. His company targets individuals, companies, and private party planners across the state of Tennessee.

Grover’s Back Road Water

Grover’s Back Road Water was started in Tennessee in 1973 by Arnie Grover, a farmer who held thirty acres of prime dark dirt and planted it all in sweet corn and tobacco. Arnie saw the potential to add products to his farm sales; he developed an earthy water to replicate the very dark water of the farming communities in the Tennessee areas. Arnie targets young adults and older adults who favor unusual tastes and water that is reminiscent of old farmhouse water systems. Grover’s Back Road Water is found in bars, coffee shops, restaurants, and convenience stores within the outlying communities of Knoxville and is sold in single 16-ounce bottle sizes only. It is an “acquired taste” and consumers are often split on whether or not the earthy-flavored water is exceptional or not. The company has developed plans to increase production and introduce new flavors of water, but has not done so as yet.

Competitive Advantage

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be able to offer the following advantages over their competition:

Marketing Plan

Brand & value proposition.

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will offer the unique value proposition to its clientele:

• Highly-qualified team of skilled employees who are able to provide a comprehensive menu of bottled waters, including flavored waters and carbonated waters.
• Fresh, pure water from local streams that is purified, filtered and bottled under the best conditions.
• Packaged and presented to appeal to all consumers.
• Pricing that is modest and lower than national brands of water.
• A “made at home” feel and look to the bottled water.

Promotions Strategy

The promotions strategy for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is as follows:

Social Media Marketing

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will use social media contacts provided by friends, family and local contacts to assist in sharing news about the launch of ClearRiver Bottled Water Company. The announcements will include free “water-tasting” parties at local malls and discounts on bottled water when the ClearRiver Bottled Water Truck is parked in the central area of Knoxville and offering giveaway prizes.

Professional Associations and Networking

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will join associations and community groups to network and build relationships with area companies in Knoxville. Both Eileen Dursten and John Matheson will join groups and work to secure contracts for events or large-quantity orders.

Print Advertising

One week prior to the launch of ClearRiver Bottled Water Company, every home in Knoxville will receive a direct mail offer, including a discount on bottled water and an invitation to attend a free tasting in the Knoxville city square. Prizes will be distributed at that event to celebrate the launch.

Website/SEO Marketing

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will utilize a website that is well-organized, informative, and complete. It will list all the services that ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is able to provide. The website will also list the contact information and the places where the bottled water can be purchased. SEO marketing tactics will be utilized so that anytime someone types in the Google or Bing search engine “bottled water company” or “bottled water near me”, ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be listed at the top of the search results.

The pricing of ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be moderate and on par with competitors so customers feel they receive excellent value when purchasing their services.

Operations Plan

The following will be the operations plan for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company. Operation Functions:

• RiverClear Bottled Water Company is owned by Eileen Dursten, who will take the role of President. She will develop relationships with large accounts and work on product development with John Matheson.
• Eileen Dursten has recruited John Matheson, a Senior Engineer, from the Jacksonville, Florida company, SwampWater, LLC. John’s role will be Senior Engineer and Vice President of the company. John will oversee all water purification and treatment processes in addition to developing new products and managing staff members.
• Rocky Anderson will be the Operations & Maintenance Director for the facilities and the office. He will lead a team of two staff members who will clean, prepare, assist in filtration and other duties as assigned.
• Pamela Nygard will be the Office Manager, overseeing systems, scheduling and handling staff matters.

Milestones:

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will have the following milestones completed in the next six months.

• 5/1/202X – Finalize contract to lease office space
• 5/15/202X – Finalize personnel and staff employment contracts for the ClearRiver Bottled Water Company
• 6/1/202X – Finalize distributor contracts for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company
• 6/15/202X – Begin networking at industry events
• – Begin moving into ClearRiver Bottled Water Company office
• – ClearRiver Bottled Water Company opens its office for business

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company will be owned and operated by Eileen Dursten. She recruited John Matheson, a former Senior Engineer, from the Jacksonville, Florida company, SwampWater, LLC.

Eileen Dursten, a local landowner with a series of fresh waterfalls and streams located on her thirty-acre property just outside the city of Knoxville. Eileen has been studying the concept of providing bottled water from an acceptable source of freshwater for some years. She recently had the water in three streams on her property tested for bacteria and parasitic evidence, and received a report that the water was highly-potable and acceptable for bottling. With this information, she’s decided to move forward to build the necessary infrastructure and office area to start her bottled water business.

John’s role will be Senior Engineer and Vice President of the company. John will oversee all water purification and treatment processes in addition to developing new products and managing staff members.

Financial Plan

Key revenue & costs.

The revenue drivers for ClearRiver Bottled Water Company are the fees they will charge to the customers for their products.

The cost drivers will be the overhead costs required in order to staff the company office. The expenses will be the payroll cost, rent, utilities, office supplies, and marketing materials.

Funding Requirements and Use of Funds

ClearRiver Bottled Water Company is seeking $200,000 in debt financing to launch its bottled water company..The funding will be dedicated towards securing the office space and purchasing office equipment and supplies. Funding will also be dedicated toward three months of overhead costs to include payroll of the staff, rent, and marketing costs for the print ads and association memberships. The breakout of the funding is below:

Key Assumptions

The following outlines the key assumptions required in order to achieve the revenue and cost numbers in the financials and in order to pay off the startup business loan.

• Number of Customers Per Month: 600 (30 corporate; 570 single-unit)
• Average Fees per Month: $27,000
• Office Lease per Year: $100,000

Financial Projections

Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement, bottled water business plan faqs, what is a bottled water company business plan.

A bottled water company business plan is a plan to start and/or grow your bottled water business. Among other things, it outlines your business concept, identifies your target customers, presents your marketing plan and details your financial projections.

You can easily complete your Bottled Water Company business plan using our Bottled Water Company Business Plan Template here .

What are the Main Types of Bottled Water Companies? 

There are a number of different kinds of bottled water companies , some examples include: Purified or Distilled bottled water, Sparkling bottled water, and Alkaline bottled waters.

How Do You Get Funding for Your Bottled Water Company?

Bottled Water companies are often funded through small business loans. Personal savings, credit card financing and angel investors are also popular forms of funding.

What are the Steps To Start a Bottled Water Company?

Starting a bottled water company can be an exciting endeavor. Having a clear roadmap of the steps to start a business will help you stay focused on your goals and get started faster.

1. Develop A Bottled Water Business Plan - The first step in starting a business is to create a detailed bottled water business plan that outlines all aspects of the venture. This should include potential market size and target customers, the services or products you will offer, pricing strategies and a detailed financial forecast. 

2. Choose Your Legal Structure - It's important to select an appropriate legal entity for your bottled water business. This could be a limited liability company (LLC), corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship. Each type has its own benefits and drawbacks so it’s important to do research and choose wisely so that your bottled water business is in compliance with local laws.

3. Register Your Bottled Water Business - Once you have chosen a legal structure, the next step is to register your bottled water business with the government or state where you’re operating from. This includes obtaining licenses and permits as required by federal, state, and local laws.

4. Identify Financing Options - It’s likely that you’ll need some capital to start your bottled water business, so take some time to identify what financing options are available such as bank loans, investor funding, grants, or crowdfunding platforms.

5. Choose a Location - Whether you plan on operating out of a physical location or not, you should always have an idea of where you’ll be based should it become necessary in the future as well as what kind of space would be suitable for your operations.

6. Hire Employees - There are several ways to find qualified employees including job boards like LinkedIn or Indeed as well as hiring agencies if needed – depending on what type of employees you need it might also be more effective to reach out directly through networking events.

7. Acquire Necessary Bottled Water Equipment & Supplies - In order to start your bottled water business, you'll need to purchase all of the necessary equipment and supplies to run a successful operation.

8. Market & Promote Your Business - Once you have all the necessary pieces in place, it’s time to start promoting and marketing your bottled water business. This includes creating a website, utilizing social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter, and having an effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strategy. You should also consider traditional marketing techniques such as radio or print advertising. 

Learn more about how to start a successful bottled water company:

• How to Start a Bottled Water Company

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• Identifying and mitigating potential risks to ensure long-term success
• Communicating their business model effectively to potential investors or stakeholders
• Increasing their chances of securing funding or investments for growth and expansion.

Main Elements of Water Companies Business Plan Template

ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Water Companies provides a comprehensive framework to help water companies and entrepreneurs in the water industry create a strong business plan. Here are the main elements of this template:

• Custom Statuses: Track the progress of different sections of your business plan using statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do.
• Custom Fields: Customize your business plan with essential information using custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to add relevant details and keep everything organized.
• Custom Views: Utilize different views like Topics, Status, Timeline, Business Plan, and Getting Started Guide to gain a comprehensive overview of your business plan, track progress, and navigate through different sections efficiently.
• Collaboration Tools: Collaborate seamlessly with your team using features like comments, mention capabilities, and task assignments to ensure everyone is on the same page and working towards a successful business plan.

How To Use Business Plan Template for Water Companies

If you're in the water industry and need to create a business plan, look no further than the Business Plan Template for Water Companies in ClickUp. Follow these five steps to get started:

1. Define your business concept and goals

Start by clearly defining your business concept and goals. What is the unique selling proposition of your water company? Are you focused on providing clean drinking water to rural areas or offering sustainable water solutions for commercial clients? Clearly define your target market, revenue streams, and growth objectives.

Use the Goals feature in ClickUp to set and track your business goals, ensuring that you stay focused and motivated throughout the process.

2. Conduct market research

To build a successful business plan, you need to have a deep understanding of the market you're entering. Research your target market, including customer demographics, competitors, and industry trends. Identify any gaps or opportunities in the market that your water company can capitalize on.

Use the Table view in ClickUp to organize and analyze your market research data, ensuring that you have a comprehensive understanding of the industry landscape.

3. Develop a marketing strategy

A strong marketing strategy is essential for attracting customers and growing your water company. Determine the best channels to reach your target audience, whether it's through digital marketing, partnerships with local organizations, or attending industry conferences. Outline your pricing strategy, promotional activities, and customer acquisition plan.

Use the Board view in ClickUp to visually plan and manage your marketing strategy, ensuring that you have a clear overview of all your marketing initiatives.

4. Create a financial plan

A solid financial plan is crucial for the success of your water company. Estimate your startup costs, monthly expenses, and projected revenue. Consider factors such as equipment and infrastructure costs, employee salaries, and ongoing operational expenses. Determine how you will fund your business and create realistic financial projections for the next few years.

Use the Gantt chart in ClickUp to create a timeline for your financial plan, outlining key milestones and financial goals that you want to achieve.

5. Monitor and adjust

Once your business plan is in place, it's important to continuously monitor and adjust your strategies as needed. Regularly review your financial performance, marketing efforts, and customer feedback to identify areas of improvement and make necessary adjustments. Stay agile and adaptable to market changes and industry trends to ensure the long-term success of your water company.

Use the Dashboards feature in ClickUp to track key performance indicators (KPIs) and get a holistic view of your business's progress, allowing you to make data-driven decisions and optimize your strategies accordingly.

Get Started with ClickUp’s Business Plan Template for Water Companies

Water companies and entrepreneurs in the water industry can use the ClickUp Business Plan Template to streamline the process of creating a comprehensive business plan that covers all aspects of their operations.

First, hit "Add Template" to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you'd like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to create a solid business plan:

• Use the Topics View to outline different sections of your business plan, such as mission, objectives, market analysis, and financial projections
• The Status View will help you track the progress of each section, with statuses like Complete, In Progress, Needs Revision, and To Do
• The Timeline View allows you to set deadlines for each section and visualize the overall timeline of your business plan
• Utilize the Business Plan View to have a comprehensive overview of all sections and their status
• The Getting Started Guide View provides a step-by-step guide on how to use the template effectively
• Customize the template by adding custom fields like Reference, Approved, and Section to provide additional context and information
• Collaborate with team members to gather input and feedback on each section
• Monitor and analyze the progress of your business plan to ensure it aligns with your goals and objectives.
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Bottled Water Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Bottled Water Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on April 13, 2022 Updated on May 7, 2024

Investment range

$6,550 - $15,100

Revenue potential

$130,000 - $416,000 p.a.

Time to build

1 – 3 months

Profit potential

$46,000 - $83,000 p.a.

Industry trend

You drink it every day, but you probably don’t think of water as a business. Well, maybe you should. Bottled water is a massive and fast-growing industry. Sugar-wary consumers increasingly view bottled water as a healthier choice than soft drinks, and safer than tap water. You could start your own bottled water company and tap into this booming market. Starting your own mineral water plant would cost a small fortune, so the smart move is to find a water producer that offers white labeling, which means they’ll let you put your label on their water.  

But before you start searching for water, you need to learn the ins and outs of starting a business. Fortunately, this step-by-step guide has all the entrepreneurial insights you need to start building bottled water success. 

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

Starting a bottled water business has pros and cons to consider before deciding if it’s right for you.

• Good money — Profit margins on bottled water are fairly high
• Flexibility — Run your business from home as a white label company
• Hot market — Demand for bottled water is strong
• Saturated market — Competition is fierce in the bottled water industry
• Partner needed — Finding a white label water company can be challenging

Bottled Water Industry Trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth — The global bottled water industry was worth $303 billion in 2022 and it’s been steadily growing.(( https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/bottled-water-market )) The US market share is worth $9.3 billion.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bottled-water-production-industry/ ))
• Growth forecast — The global bottled water industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.4% annually by 2032 to reach more than half a trillion dollars.(( https://www.statista.com/outlook/cmo/non-alcoholic-drinks/bottled-water/worldwide ))
• Number of businesses — There are 476 bottled water production businesses in the US.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bottled-water-production-industry/ )) 
• Number of people employed — The US bottled water production industry employs 15,708 people.(( https://www.ibisworld.com/united-states/market-research-reports/bottled-water-production-industry/ )) 

Trends and Challenges

• Alkaline waters, which have a higher pH level than regular bottled water, are increasingly popular because they are thought to improve energy. The same is true for electrolyte-enhanced water.
• New to the market is hydrogen water, made with more hydrogen and thought to increase energy and endurance as well as to provide antioxidants. Though it’s new, it’s increasing in popularity quickly despite its higher price. 
• Plastic water bottles are piling up in landfills, leading to environmental concerns and increased governmental regulation. This has spurred manufacturers to look for alternative bottling. Many manufacturers are using recycled plastic, but some are moving to cans and paper cartons as better alternatives.
• Plastic bottle production in the United States requires about 17.6 million barrels of oil annually, which is of increasing concern due to the current energy situation.

Consumer Spending

• Average consumer spend — The average person in the US consumes about 46.5 gallons of bottled water per year.(( https://www.statista.com/statistics/183377/per-capita-consumption-of-bottled-water-in-the-us-since-1999/ )) 
• Potential customer base — A recent survey shows that 49 million Americans consume bottled water.(( https://tappwater.co/blogs/blog/how-many-people-consume-bottled-water-globally ))
• Average prices — Consumers tend to buy bottled water in bulk. The average price for a 24-bottle case is $6.99, while specialty waters sell for up to $15 or more. They are commanding a higher price due to the way they are presenting their water to consumers, creating the impression of more health benefits.(( https://bottledwater.org/bottled-water-prices-advertising/ ))

How Much Does It Cost to Start a Bottled Water Business?

Startup costs for a bottled water business range from $6,500 to $15,000. Your costs will depend on the minimum your manufacturer will allow you to order since the bulk of your startup costs are for your initial inventory. 

You could start your search for a manufacturer on this online platform .  

How Much Can You Earn From a Bottled Water Business?

The average price for a private-label specialty case of bottled water is about $10. You can either sell your water online on a site like Amazon, or you can try to find local stores that will stock your water. Your profit margin after manufacturing and packaging costs will be around 35%. 

In your first year or two, you might sell 250 cases a week, bringing in $130,000 in annual revenue. This would mean nearly $46,000 in profit, assuming that 35% margin. As your brand gains recognition and you get your products into grocery stores, sales could climb to 800 cases per week. At this stage, you’d rent out a distribution center and hire staff, reducing your margin to about 20%. With an annual revenue of $416,000, you’d still have a nice profit of more than $83,000.

What Barriers to Entry Are There?

There are a few barriers to entry for a bottled water business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Finding a manufacturing partner
• Competition from established firms

Related Business Ideas

How to Start a Distillery

How to Start a Tea Business

How to Start a Wine Business

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a bottled water business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research will give you the upper hand, even if you’re already positive that you have a perfect product or service. Conducting market research is important, because it can help you understand your customers better, who your competitors are, and your business landscape.

Why? Identify an Opportunity

Research bottled water businesses in your area to examine their products, price points, and what sells best. You’re looking for a market gap to fill. For instance, maybe the local market is missing a spring water or sachet water company. Sachet water is pre-filtered water heat-sealed in plastic bags instead of bottles.

You might consider targeting a niche market by specializing in a certain aspect of your industry, such as mineral water or purified water.

This could jumpstart your word-of-mouth marketing and attract clients right away. 

What? Choose Your Product Line and Define the Product Range

Bottled water companies are legally allowed to offer:

• Mineral water from an underground source with naturally occurring trace minerals
• Spring water
• Well water, artesian well water 
• Purified water, or treated tap water 

You can choose any of those. Your key will be your labeling and how you brand your product. You could decide to offer vitamin or flavored water, but that would move you out of the bottled water category and into the soft drink category and would make production much more difficult. 

How Much Should You Charge for Bottled Water?

If you present your water as a high-end specialty water, you can charge about $10 per case. The key to this is in packaging and branding that creates the impression of a superior product. Using phrases like “natural spring water” and giving your bottles a confident, appealing design goes a long way. If you go to Amazon and search for bottled water, you’ll see many ways in which water is presented as high-end and commands prices as high as $15 or even $20. 

You should aim for a profit margin of about 35% after manufacturing and packaging costs.

Once you know your costs, you can use our profit margin calculator to determine your markup and final price points. Remember, the prices you use at launch should be subject to change if warranted by the market.

Who? Identify Your Target Market

Your target market will be broad, but it may tend to be a younger crowd. You can find them on sites like TikTok and Instagram, but you could also advertise on Facebook, LinkedIn, and beyond.  

Where? Choose a Location

When selecting a location for a bottled water company, the approach varies depending on whether you have a partner manufacturer or not:

• Water source — Prioritize a location near a high-quality, sustainable water source like a spring or well.
• Regulatory compliance — Ensure compliance with water extraction and bottling regulations.
• Market proximity — Choose a location close to your target market to reduce transportation costs.
• Infrastructure and accessibility — Look for adequate infrastructure for bottling and packaging, and good transportation links.
• Water source — The same priority for a sustainable, high-quality water source applies.
• Manufacturing facilities — You’ll need space for your own bottling and packaging facilities.
• Labor availability — Ensure access to a skilled workforce for various operational roles.
• Environmental and community impact — Assess and minimize environmental impact and build positive community relations.

In both scenarios, consider the local climate, the potential for natural disasters, and the legal and political environment. Future expansion possibilities and overall costs are also important factors.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Bottled Water Business Name

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “mineral water” or “spring water,” boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for example, “AquaSource Bottling” over “AquaSource Sparkling Water” or “Coconut Bay Water”
• A location-based name can help establish a strong connection with your local community and help with the SEO but might hinder future expansion

Discover over 280 unique bottled water brand name ideas here . If you want your business name to include specific keywords, you can also use our bottled water name generator. Just type in a few keywords, hit Generate, and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead with domain registration and social media account creation. Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. However, once you pick your company name and start with the branding, it is hard to change the business name. Therefore, it’s important to carefully consider your choice before you start a business entity.

Step 4: Create a Bottled Water Business Plan

Here are the key components of a business plan:

• Executive summary — A concise overview of your bottled water business, highlighting key points and objectives.
• Business overview — Detailed information about the bottled water industry, your company’s mission, and its structure
• Product and services — Explanation of the types of bottled water you offer, including any unique features or benefits
• Market analysis — Examination of the target market for bottled water, considering demographics, trends, and potential growth
• Competitive analysis — Assessment of other bottled water companies in the market, identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats
• Sales and marketing — Strategies for promoting and selling your bottled water, including distribution channels and advertising plans
• Management team — Introduction of key individuals involved in running the business, emphasizing their qualifications and roles
• Operations plan — Details on how your bottled water business will operate, covering production, quality control, and distribution
• Financial plan — Projections of your business’s financial performance, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow forecasts
• Appendix — Supplementary materials such as supporting documents, charts, and additional information to enhance the business plan

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose Where to Register Your Company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you’re planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to bottled water businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind that it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose Your Business Structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your bottled water business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole proprietorship — The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General partnership — Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company (LLC) — Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.
• C Corporation — Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.
• S Corporation — This refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just needs to elect this structure for tax status. In an S Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have.

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2024

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number or EIN. You can file for your EIN online, or by mail/fax. Visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind that, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship, you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you’re completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund Your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans — This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and a strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans — The Small Business Administration can act as a guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants — A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and family — Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding — Websites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like Fundable and WeFunder enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal — Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best options, other than friends and family, for funding a bottled water business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept. 

Step 8: Apply for Bottled Water Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a bottled water business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your bottled water business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability — The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business property — Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment breakdown insurance — Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation — Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property — Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto — Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability — Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP) — This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential Software and Tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats — from marketing to sales to accounting — which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks. 

You may want to use industry-specific software, such as LS Retail , Vend , or Retail Pro , to manage purchasing, inventory, and invoicing.

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , FreshBooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences of filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial. 

Develop Your Website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism.

You can create your own website using website builders . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

However, people are unlikely to find your website unless you follow Search Engine Optimization ( SEO ) practices. These are steps that help pages rank higher in the results of top search engines like Google. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Website & SEO — Optimize your website and online listings to increase visibility in search results, focusing on bottled water and hydration solutions.
• Engaging social media campaigns — Highlight the purity and source of your water on platforms like Instagram and Twitter to engage a health-conscious audience.
• Interactive website features — Develop an engaging website that educates visitors on the health benefits and sustainability efforts of your brand.
• Health and wellness blogging — Share content on the importance of hydration, water purity, and eco-friendly practices.
• Customer testimonials — Utilize positive feedback to build trust and encourage trial of your water.
• Hydration stations at events — Set up branded stations at local sports and wellness events to promote your product.
• Partnerships with fitness centers — Collaborate with gyms and yoga studios to supply your bottled water, reinforcing a healthy lifestyle image.
• Rewards program — Implement a program that rewards repeat purchases with discounts or other incentives.
• Targeted advertising campaigns — Reach health-conscious consumers and sustainability advocates through targeted digital ads.
• Influencer marketing — Work with health and wellness influencers to amplify the benefits of your water.
• Striking branding and packaging — Design distinctive labels and packaging that reflect the quality and values of your brand.
• Email marketing — Maintain engagement with your customer base through newsletters that provide hydration tips, company updates, and special promotions.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that set it apart from the competition. Today, customers are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your bottled water business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your bottled water business could be: 

• Refreshing natural spring water to live your healthiest life 
• Fortifying mineral water so you’re always at your best 
• Hydrogen water to give you an energy boost

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain but your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a bottled water business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in bottled water for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in bottled water. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. 

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a bottled water business include:

• Distribution center workers — preparing bottled water for shipping
• General manager — ordering, accounting
• Marketing lead — SEO strategies, social media

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Bottled Water Business — Start Making Money!

Ready to get in on the action? The bottled water industry is set to double, which means now is the perfect time to create your own bottled water brand. You can start for a relatively low investment if you can find a white-label manufacturer and make a nice return on that investment. You just have to come up with an identity for your water and design your packaging well, and you can bring in some good money.

Now that you understand the business, it’s time to hit the ground running and launch your bottled water business!

• Bottled Water Business FAQs

Yes, bottled water has good profit margins. Your key will be to brand your water in a way that is appealing to consumers. You also need to find a reliable manufacturer.

You can find a water company that will produce your water and packaging and put your own brand and label on it.

The United States is the country that buys the most bottled water in the world.

To increase the sales of your bottled water, focus on marketing and branding by highlighting the quality and unique features of your product. Target your advertising efforts to reach your desired market through various channels. Consider product placements and partnerships to increase visibility and availability. 

To distribute your bottled water effectively, consider selling through retail stores, online platforms, beverage distributors, direct sales at events and via subscriptions, and B2B partnerships with establishments like restaurants and gyms. This strategy broadens your market reach and simplifies logistics.

This business model is informative and beneficial for entrepreneurs. Many thanks for such a great help.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Bottled Water Business Name
• Create a Bottled Water Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund Your Business
• Apply for Bottled Water Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Bottled Water Business — Start Making Money!

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Natalie Fell

Published on June 3, 2022

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Here are The Steps to Start a Bottled Water Business

Main Sections In This Post Steps To Starting A Bottled Water Business Points to Consider Resources Knowledge Is Power Featured Video

This article provides a comprehensive guide to starting and running a bottled water business.

It includes a detailed step-by-step roadmap and valuable resources for the startup phase and ongoing operations. Save this page for future reference, and feel free to share it with others interested in the industry.

Let’s get started with the steps.

Steps to Starting a Bottled Water Business

Below are the steps to starting a bottled water business.

Each step is linked to a specific section, allowing you to jump to your desired section or scroll to follow the steps in order.

• An Overview of What You’re Getting Into
• Bottled Water Business Overview
• Researching Your Bottled Water Business
• Looking at Financials
• Choosing A Business Location
• Creating Your Mission Statement
• Creating A Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
• Choose a Bottled Water Business Name
• Register Your Company
• Create Your Corporate Identity
• Writing a Business Plan
• Banking Considerations
• Getting the Funds for Your Operation
• Software Setup
• Business Insurance Considerations
• Supplier Considerations
• Physical Setup
• Creating a Website
• Create an External Support Team
• Hiring Employees

1.  An Overview of What You’re Getting Into

Is Starting a Bottled Water Business the Right Step for You?

Discovering Your Passion

A key factor holds the key to success in the business world – and that factor is you! Your drive and passion are pivotal in determining the path to triumph.

Passion: The Fuel for Success

Passion is an accessory and a vital ingredient in your entrepreneurial journey.

Challenges become opportunities for creative solutions when your heart is passionate about your bottled water business.

Conversely, lacking passion may lead you to seek an escape route rather than face obstacles head-on.

Unveiling Your Entrepreneurial Zeal

How fervent is your desire to own and manage a business? Let’s explore an intriguing perspective:

Imagine a life free from restrictions and abundant financial resources that can sustain you indefinitely. In this scenario, your choices are boundless, unaffected by monetary considerations.

The Decisive Question

Would you choose to venture into the bottled water industry in this context? If your answer is a resounding yes, it reveals your passion for this enterprise and signifies that you are on the right path.

Exploring Alternative Paths

However, if your answer leans towards a negative response, it beckons another question: What alternative path captures your preferences and aspirations? Perhaps it’s worth considering pursuing that path instead.

The Heart of the Matter

In conclusion, the essence of success lies in your passion for the business you undertake. Embrace your passion, and let it guide you towards a fulfilling and prosperous bottled water venture.

For More, See How Passion Affects Your Business . Also, see, Considerations Before You Start Your Business to identify key points for a new business owner.

2. Gaining an Overview of Owning a Bottled Water Business

Next, let’s spend some time on key issues to give you an overview of what to expect from owning and running your business.

Understanding the Bottled Water Business

A bottled water business revolves around providing a vital necessity – water. This enterprise involves sourcing, bottling, and distributing water to various customer bases, from grocery stores and convenience stores to offices and direct residential customers.

The daily operations for such a business are multifaceted. They include tasks such as quality assurance of the water, overseeing the bottling process, coordinating logistics for distribution, handling customer inquiries and orders, and performing administrative tasks, among others.

Keys to Success in a Bottled Water Business

Establishing a Loyal Customer Base

Building a solid customer base is essential for the longevity of the business.

This can be achieved through effective marketing strategies, superior products, and exceptional customer service. Additionally, engaging with customers to understand their preferences can help tailor your products to meet their needs.

Effective Staff Management

The smooth operation of a bottled water business largely relies on its staff, from those involved in sourcing and bottling water to those managing logistics and customer service.

Proper staff management includes training, motivation, and a conducive work environment.

Managing Cash Flow

Cash flow management is crucial in running any business, including a bottled water business.

It involves tracking all transactions, ensuring that income covers expenses, planning for future expenses, and maintaining an emergency fund.

Cost Management

Maintaining quality and customer service while minimizing costs is crucial for profitability.

This can be achieved by streamlining operations, investing in efficient equipment, and implementing cost-saving strategies without compromising product quality or customer service.

Adaptability to Change

The business landscape continually evolves with industry trends, business processes, or technology changes. Staying up-to-date on these changes and adapting your business operations is crucial for long-term success.

Revenue Fluctuations

Revenue in a bottled water business can fluctuate due to various factors, such as seasonal changes or market trends.

Proper planning and strategies can help manage these fluctuations.

Competitor Management

Dealing with competitors requires a solid understanding of the market, keeping track of competitor activities, and devising strategies to differentiate your products and services.

Meeting Customer Expectations

Meeting and exceeding customer expectations are integral to a bottled water business.

This involves offering high-quality water, providing excellent customer service, and ensuring timely delivery.

Regular customer feedback is an excellent way to understand their expectations and make necessary improvements.

With this customer-focused approach, your bottled water business can thrive and become a trusted provider in the industry.

b.) Bottled Water Business Models

Types of Bottled Water Business Setups and Their Business Models

Local Bottling Operations

These businesses source water locally, treat and bottle it, then distribute it within a particular region or community.

This model often operates on a small scale, emphasizing the local origin and quality of the water. The focus may be on home and office delivery, local retailers, or both.

Large-Scale Bottling Operations

These companies function on a national or even international scale. They source, treat, and bottle water in large quantities, distributing their products across wide geographic areas.

Products are typically sold through various retail outlets, including supermarkets, convenience stores, and online marketplaces.

Private Label Bottling

In this model, a company bottles water to be branded and sold by another business.

Large retailers or brands often use this setup to offer branded bottled water without investing in sourcing and bottling infrastructure.

Office and Home Delivery Services

These businesses specialize in delivering bottled water directly to homes and offices.

They may either bottle their water or distribute products from other manufacturers. This model emphasizes convenience and regular, recurring sales to a set customer base.

Franchise Bottled Water Business

This involves buying into an established bottled water brand and operating a branch of the business under the brand’s umbrella.

In this case, the franchisor sets the business model, often including established supply chains, brand recognition, and ongoing franchisor support.

Custom Bottle Design and Packaging

These businesses focus less on the water and more on unique bottle design and packaging.

This could include personalized labels for corporate events, weddings, or promotional activities. In this model, the emphasis is on added value through design and customization rather than the water product itself.

In conclusion, identifying a profitable and high-demand niche for your bottled water business from the beginning is essential.

Carefully consider each business model and choose one that aligns with your resources, interests, and the market’s needs.

Switching your model later can be more challenging so a thoughtful initial decision can set the stage for long-term success.

c.) Making Your Bottled Water Business stand out

Unique Branding

Create a unique and memorable brand to distinguish your bottled water business from competitors.

This could involve an eye-catching logo, a strong brand story, or a distinct voice that resonates with your target market.

High-Quality Product

By prioritizing the quality of your water — through rigorous purification processes, stringent quality checks, and certified sourcing — you can gain a reputation for excellence that sets you apart.

Exceptional Customer Service

Providing outstanding customer service can make your business stand out. This can include prompt deliveries, professional responses to inquiries and complaints, and friendly service at all touchpoints.

Sustainable Practices

With increasing awareness of environmental issues, adopting sustainable practices can differentiate your brand. This can range from eco-friendly packaging to responsible water-sourcing practices.

Community Involvement

Involvement in local community events, charitable causes, or sponsorships can help your bottled water business gain visibility and a positive reputation.

d.) Add on Ideas for a bottled water Business

Complementary Products

Offering additional products that complement bottled water can enhance your business’s appeal. This could include healthy snacks, reusable water bottles, water dispensers, or water purification systems.

Subscription Service

Consider a subscription model where customers receive regular water deliveries. This offers convenience for the customer and predictable recurring revenue for your business.

Custom Labeling

Provide custom labeling services for businesses or events. This allows companies to have their logo on bottles or individuals to personalize bottles for special occasions.

Bulk Discount Offers

Discounts for large purchases can attract larger clients, such as corporate offices or event organizers, to choose your services.

e.) Questions for Your Bottled Water Business

Bottled Water Business Model

Have you decided on a specific business model for your bottled water operation? Are you considering local bottling, large-scale operations, private-label bottling, or a franchise?

Workforce Management

Do you plan to take on all business responsibilities, or do you intend to hire employees? What roles will be needed if hiring, and how will you find suitable candidates?

Management Considerations

Will you personally oversee your bottled water business, or do you plan to employ a manager to handle daily operations?

Partnerships and Investments

Are you considering bringing in business partners or seeking external investors? If so, how will you identify and approach potential collaborators?

Business Location

Do you intend to run your bottled water operation from a home office, or do you plan to operate from a commercial location? If choosing a commercial location, what factors will guide your site selection?

Operating Format

Are you considering a physical setup, like a brick-and-mortar store, or do you plan to operate mainly online? If considering an online operation, how will you handle logistics and distribution?

Future Growth

Have you given thought to your business growth strategy? What are your long-term goals for your bottled water business? How do you plan to scale up operations when the time is right?

Regulatory Compliance

Have you researched the regulations and compliance requirements for running a bottled water business in your region? How will you ensure ongoing compliance?

Market Analysis

Do you understand your target market and your competition? Have you done market research to guide your branding, marketing, and pricing decisions?

Financial Planning

Have you drawn up a detailed business plan, including financial projections? Do you clearly understand your startup costs, operating costs, and potential revenue?

Answering these questions will prepare you for the many facets of running a bottled water business and set you on the path to success.

f.) Pros and Cons of Owning a Bottled Water Business

The Benefits of Running a Bottled Water Business

Independence

Owning a bottled water business allows you to be your own boss. You can call the shots and run the business according to your vision.

Creative Freedom

You can be innovative with your products, branding, marketing, and overall business approach. This creative freedom can make the business more fulfilling.

Potential for High Revenue

Given the universal demand for clean water, a successful bottled water business can generate substantial income.

Flexible Work Hours

Once the business is successful and you have a competent team, you may have the flexibility to set your work hours.

Control Over Working Environment

As a business owner, you can create a working environment that aligns with your values and enhances productivity.

Contribution to Health and Wellbeing

The bottled water business contributes to the health and well-being of customers by providing clean, safe water, adding a sense of purpose to your enterprise.

The Challenges of Running a Bottled Water Business

Responsibility for Problems

As the owner, you shoulder the responsibility for any problems or challenges that arise in the business.

Irregular Income

You may not have a steady income, particularly during the start-up phase or during periods of fluctuation in the business.

Challenging Start-Up Phase

Getting the business off the ground can be difficult, with many simultaneous decisions and tasks.

Customer Acquisition and Retention

Gaining and keeping customers in a competitive market can be a significant challenge.

Extra Working Hours

You may have to work long hours during certain stages, which could affect your work-life balance.

Pressure to Succeed

Running a business comes with the pressure to succeed, which can be stressful.

Significant Initial Investment

Starting a bottled water business often requires a substantial financial investment for equipment, premises, and other startup costs.

Constant Change

In business, change is inevitable, whether it’s market trends, customer preferences, or industry regulations. Adapting to these changes can be challenging.

Business Risks

Running a bottled water business, like any business, carries risks. These could range from financial losses and regulatory issues to market competition and unforeseen circumstances like natural disasters.

Quality Control Challenges

Ensuring consistent water quality can be challenging but is essential for the reputation and success of the business.

In conclusion, owning and running a bottled water business has rewards and challenges.

Careful planning, diligent management, and a willingness to adapt can help you navigate these factors for a successful enterprise.

For more, see Pros and Cons of Starting a Small Business.

3. Research

Bottled Water Business Research

Laying the Foundation: Informed Decision-Making

Before diving into any business endeavor, conducting comprehensive research is paramount.

Equipping yourself with quality information is vital to understanding the industry’s difficulties, lest you find yourself caught off guard.

Seeking Wisdom: Learning from the Experts

One valuable avenue to acquire the best insights is tapping into the knowledge of seasoned individuals in the bottled water business.

These industry experts are qualified to provide reliable information, becoming a valuable resource for your research.

Unveiling Priceless Wisdom: An Opportunity for Growth

Interacting with experienced professionals offers an invaluable opportunity to glean insights and wisdom from their years of knowledge and expertise.

The time spent with them can prove invaluable in shaping your understanding and decision-making process.

Unlocking the Path: A Guide to Reaching Out

To assist you in connecting with the right individuals and approaching them respectfully and non-threateningly, I have crafted an article brimming with ideas and strategies.

While the complete steps extend beyond this post, I strongly urge you to read the article by following the link below.

It will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what lies ahead in your bottled water business journey.

See An Inside Look Into the Business You Want To Start for all the details.

Target Audience

Understanding your target audience in the bottled water business is crucial for reaping various benefits.

Knowing your target market allows you to tailor your offers to appeal to customers’ preferences, ensuring they find your products and services enticing.

Moreover, understanding your audience allows you to provide offerings that align with their interests, further enhancing customer satisfaction.

Target Market Ideas:

• Health-conscious individuals seeking hydration solutions
• Fitness enthusiasts and athletes in need of convenient, refreshing beverages
• Eco-conscious consumers looking for sustainable packaging and environmentally friendly options
• Busy professionals seeking on-the-go hydration solutions
• Parents and caregivers looking for healthy beverage choices for their families
• Outdoor adventurers and travelers in need of portable water options.
• Hospitality industry (hotels, resorts, restaurants) requiring bottled water for guests
• Retail stores and supermarkets looking to stock quality bottled water products
• Corporate offices and workplaces in need of hydration options for employees
• Event organizers and caterers requiring bulk bottled water for events
• Wholesale customers seeking bottled water for resale or distribution.

For more, see How To Understand Your Target Market.

4. Looking at Financials:

Startup Costs:

Accurate Estimation for a Smooth Launch

To ensure a smooth and successful launch of your bottled water business, it is essential to gain an overview of the startup costs involved.

Accurate estimation plays a pivotal role, as underestimating can lead to financial shortfalls that hinder your business opening, while overestimating can make your venture appear risky.

The size of your operation, chosen location, employment decisions, equipment purchases, and rental agreements all impact your costs.

For more detailed information, refer to my article on Estimating Startup Costs.

Comprehensive List and Research

Compile a comprehensive list of necessary items for your startup. Then, diligently research the prices associated with each item.

Be thorough in your investigation, as you may encounter additional expenses during your research phase.

This comprehensive estimation will ensure a more accurate assessment of your startup costs.

Sales and Profit:

Key Factors for Success

The success of your bottled water business relies on several factors when it comes to sales and profitability.

These factors include the popularity and demand for your products and services and the effectiveness of your marketing strategies in reaching the right target audience.

Beyond Sales: Consideration of Expenses

When assessing profitability, it is essential to consider the profit per sale and various expenses that impact your bottom line.

This includes rent, payroll, and other overhead costs associated with running your business.

Achieving Financial Success

To achieve financial success, your monthly sales must cover your expenses and provide sufficient profit to sustain your business.

Additionally, it is important to ensure that your sales generate enough revenue to cover your monthly expenses and allow for salary payments, ensuring the long-term viability of your bottled water business.

For More, See Estimating Profitability and Revenue

Sample Financial Lists As a Starting Point

Sample Financial Lists for Your Bottled Water Business

Below are three sample financial lists designed to give you a general idea of the expenses and revenues you might expect when starting and running a bottled water production business in the USA.

Sample Startup Costs for a Bottled Water Business

• Water Sourcing Rights: $5,000
• Bottling Equipment: $50,000
• Water Purification System: $20,000
• Warehouse Lease (first month + deposit): $4,000
• Business Licenses and Permits: $500
• Insurance: $1,000
• Branding and Marketing Materials: $2,000
• Website Development: $2,000

Total Estimated Startup Costs: $84,500

Sample Monthly Expenses for a Bottled Water Business

• Warehouse Lease: $2,000
• Utilities (water, electricity): $800
• Staff Salaries: $6,000
• Insurance: $200
• Marketing and Advertising: $1,000
• Equipment Maintenance: $500
• Miscellaneous Expenses: $500

Total Estimated Monthly Expenses: $11,000

Sample Sales and Profit Breakdown

Assuming a sales price of $1 per bottle ( premium branded ), selling 20,000 bottles per month:

• Total Sales: $20,000
• Less Monthly Expenses: $11,000

Estimated Monthly Profit: $9,000

Remember, these figures are fictional examples that provide a broad sense of the financial aspects of running a bottled water business.

Adjusting these costs and revenue projections can significantly affect the success of your business.

A small shift in profit per bottle sold can make a huge difference when dealing with high-volume sales.

Also, remember that many new businesses take time to become profitable as they build a customer base, establish a reputation, and optimize operations.

Your specific costs, expenses, and profits will vary based on numerous factors.

It’s essential to do thorough research and consider seeking professional advice when calculating your business’s startup costs, ongoing expenses, and potential revenues and profits.

5. Choosing The Right Business Location

The Significance of Location for a Bottled Water Business

Choosing the right location for your bottled water business can determine its success or failure.

Demand and Competition Considerations

Operating in an area without product demand will inevitably lead to failure even before your business takes off. Conversely, setting up in an area saturated with competition can make it challenging to gain market share.

Balancing Demand, Competition, and Affordability

Ideally, you should aim for a location that strikes a balance between having sufficient demand for your bottled water products and facing an acceptable level of competition.

Additionally, affordability is a crucial aspect to consider. While operating in a highly populated area can offer more exposure, you must ensure that the extra expenses associated with it do not outweigh the potential profitability.

Exploring Different Options

Consider operating your business from home, especially if your model is primarily online or does not require extensive personal customer interaction.

Starting from home can be a cost-effective option initially, and as your business expands, you can evaluate the need to transition to a commercial location.

Thorough Research and Careful Evaluation

Choosing the right location is critical to achieving success for your bottled water business.

Conduct thorough research, analyze the local market, and evaluate demand, competition, and affordability.

It is essential to approach this decision carefully and gather all the necessary information to make an informed choice.

For more about business locations, see Choosing The Best Location for Your Business.

6. Create Your Mission Statement

A mission statement is a valuable tool for identifying the core purpose of your bottled water business.

It serves as a guiding principle to keep you focused and reminds you of the main benefit you aim to provide to your customers and community.

Examples of Mission Statements for a Bottled Water Business:

• “Our mission is to deliver pure, refreshing hydration to promote healthy lifestyles and contribute to environmental sustainability.”
• “We are dedicated to providing premium-quality bottled water that nourishes and energizes our customers, while actively promoting responsible water usage and conservation.”
• “At our bottled water company, our mission is to ensure access to safe and clean drinking water, enriching lives and supporting community wellness initiatives.”
• “We strive to be the trusted provider of premium bottled water, offering exceptional purity, taste, and convenience while reducing our ecological footprint through sustainable practices.”
• “Our mission is to hydrate and inspire, delivering the highest standard of purified bottled water while empowering individuals to embrace healthy hydration habits and make a positive impact on the environment.”

Note : These are fictional examples meant to illustrate the essence of mission statements for a bottled water business.

A real mission statement should be crafted to align with your business’s specific values and goals.

For more, see, How To Create a Mission Statement

7. Creating A Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

A Unique Selling Proposition (USP) plays a crucial role in identifying and creating a distinct offering that sets your bottled water business apart from competitors.

Examples of Unique Selling Propositions for a Bottled Water Business:

• “Our bottled water stands out with its exceptional mineral composition, providing a truly refreshing and revitalizing experience.”
• “We differentiate ourselves by offering sustainably sourced bottled water, contributing to environmental conservation and promoting a greener future.”
• “Our infused bottled water line combines natural flavors with premium water, offering a unique and indulgent taste experience.”
• “We pride ourselves on our innovative packaging design that enhances convenience and portability, making our bottled water the perfect companion for active lifestyles.”
• “Our commitment to social impact sets us apart, as we donate a percentage of every bottle sold to provide clean drinking water to communities in need.”

Note: These are fictional examples intended to demonstrate the concept of a Unique Selling Proposition for a bottled water business.

Developing a USP that aligns with your specific business goals, target market, and competitive landscape is important.

8. Choose a Business Name

When selecting a name for your bottled water business, it’s crucial to aim for something captivating and fitting.

Opt for an easily pronounceable and memorable name, as it will likely remain with your company for the long term. Additionally, securing a matching domain name for your online presence is essential.

Conduct thorough research to ensure another business does not already register the desired name.

Here are 30 creative ideas to inspire your original bottled water business name:

• AquaPure Springs
• CrystalWave Refresh
• PureFlow Oasis
• AquaViva Delight
• AquaGlow Hydration
• Nature’s Elixir
• AquaZen Wellness
• AquaWave Harmony
• CrystalClear Aqua
• HydrateHaven
• AquaEssence Revive
• AquaQuench Oasis
• RefreshStream
• PureSource Springs
• AquaBliss Nourish
• AquaJade Oasis
• VitalFlow Hydration
• AquaCrisp Revitalize
• AquaPure Delight
• RefreshMist
• AquaBloom Springs
• AquaZest Rejuvenate
• AquaPeak Revive
• PureDrop Oasis
• AquaLuxe Hydration
• RefreshRipple
• AquaVigor Wellness
• AquaDream Springs

Remember, these are just ideas to spark your creativity and assist in developing an original business name for your bottled water venture.

Ensure the chosen name aligns with your brand identity and resonates with your target audience.

Conduct proper research and consider consulting professionals to ensure legal availability and trademark considerations for your business name.

For more, see the following articles:

• How To Register a Business Name
• Registering a Domain Name For Your Business

9. Register Your Company

Ensuring Your Bottled Water Business is Legal

Operating a legal business is essential for compliance, protection, and overall success. Here are key points to consider:

Seek Professional Guidance: Consulting with legal and tax professionals is crucial to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. They can also assist in determining the best business setup for tax benefits and liability protection.

Common Types of Registrations: When starting a bottled water business, you may need to consider various registrations, including:

• Business Entity Registration: Registering your business entity (e.g., LLC, corporation) with the appropriate state authorities.
• Employer Identification Number (EIN): Obtaining an EIN from the IRS for tax purposes and hiring employees.
• State and Local Registrations: Registering for state and local permits, such as sales tax permits, to comply with specific requirements.

Permits and Licenses: As a bottled water business, you may need to obtain specific permits and licenses to ensure compliance and consumer safety. Some examples include:

• Food Establishment Permit: Obtaining a permit to operate as a food establishment, as bottled water is considered a food product.
• Bottled Water Plant License: Obtaining a license from relevant health and regulatory agencies to operate a bottled water production facility.
• Water Source Permits: You may need permits for water extraction or usage depending on your water source.

Compliance with Regulations: Ensure adherence to industry-specific regulations such as the FDA’s Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for bottled water production and labeling requirements.

Remember, laws and requirements may vary based on location, so consulting with professionals familiar with the bottled water industry and local regulations is crucial.

Complying with legal obligations helps protect your business, ensures consumer trust, and positions you for long-term success.

Registration:

• How to Register Your Business
• How To Register a DBA
• How to Register a Trademark
• How to Get a Business License

Business Structures:

• How to Choose a Business Structure
• Pros & Cons of a Sole Proprietorship
• How To Form an LLC
• How To Register a Business Partnership
• How To Form a Corporation
• How To Choose a Business Registration Service

10. Create Your Corporate Identity

Corporate Identity for a Bottled Water Business

Establishing Your Brand’s Visual Presence

A Corporate Identity (Corporate ID) plays a vital role in representing your bottled water business.

It encompasses elements that establish your brand’s visual presence, including your logo, business cards, website, business sign, stationery, and promotional items.

Consistency and Professionalism

Maintaining a consistent and professional design across these components is essential to leave a lasting impression on new and existing customers.

A strong and cohesive corporate identity conveys professionalism and helps build brand recognition and trust.

Logo Design: Capturing Your Brand Essence

As a key component of your corporate identity, your logo should capture the essence of your bottled water business.

It should reflect your brand’s values, evoke a sense of quality and purity, and resonate with your target audience.

Branded Materials: Showcasing Your Unique Qualities

From business cards to promotional items, each element of your corporate identity should showcase your brand’s unique qualities.

Whether it’s the design of your water bottle labels, the layout of your website, or the appearance of your business signage, consistency and attention to detail are crucial.

Impressing Customers: A Commitment to Excellence

A well-designed corporate identity demonstrates your commitment to excellence and professionalism. It helps create a positive and memorable impression on customers, fostering brand loyalty and encouraging repeat business.

Remember, a strong corporate identity is an investment in building your brand’s reputation and standing out in the competitive bottled water industry.

Seek professional design services or consult branding experts to ensure your corporate identity aligns with your brand values and effectively represents your business.

You can see our page for an overview of your logo , business cards , website , and business sign , or see A Complete Introduction to Corporate Identity Packages.

11. Writing a Business Plan

The Importance of a Business Plan for a Bottled Water Business

A business plan is a critical document for a bottled water business. It serves multiple purposes, such as acquiring funding and attracting investors.

Moreover, it acts as a roadmap to keep you on track during the startup phase and while your business is in full operation.

Crafting a Vision for Success

Writing a business plan requires time and effort as it involves creating a vision of what your bottled water business will be like once it’s operational.

Careful planning and thoughtful consideration of details are necessary to articulate your vision effectively.

Clarity and Guidance

Completing a well-crafted business plan is worthwhile because it clearly explains what is needed to start and operate your business successfully.

It serves as a guide to help you navigate the challenges and make informed decisions.

Choosing the Right Approach

When creating your business plan, you have various options available. You can start from scratch, enlist the services of a professional, utilize a template, or leverage business plan software.

Regardless of the chosen approach, active participation is essential to ensure your plan is distinctive and effectively communicates the nature of your bottled water business and management strategies.

Adapting and Optimizing

Recognizing that your business plan can evolve and be optimized as you gain experience and insights is important.

Periodically reviewing the document and making necessary adjustments to reflect changes in your business or operations is advisable.

Remember, a well-crafted and adaptable business plan is a valuable tool that can contribute to the success of your bottled water business.

A Fictitious Business Plan Example for a Bottled Water

PureSprings Bottled Water Business Plan

Executive Summary

PureSprings will offer high-quality, naturally sourced bottled water. Based in a region with abundant natural springs, we are uniquely positioned to cater to the demands of health-conscious consumers.

Company Description

PureSprings is a startup set to operate from a moderate-size bottling plant. We focus on sustainability, drawing water from local springs and packaging it in eco-friendly bottles.

Our target market comprises individuals and businesses seeking quality bottled water. With the continuous growth in the bottled water market, we anticipate steady demand for our products.

Organization and Management

PureSprings’ team will be spearheaded by the founder and CEO. Other team members will include a Production Manager, Marketing and Sales Manager, and an Accounting Manager.

Product Line and Services

Our product line includes natural spring water packaged in various sizes to meet consumer needs. Over time, we may introduce flavored water options.

Marketing and Sales Strategy

We’ll focus on marketing the health and sustainability aspects of our products. Our strategy will involve direct sales and partnerships with local and national retail stores.

Funding Request

We’re seeking an investment of $84,500, projected as the startup cost, to cover equipment purchase, water rights procurement, and initial marketing.

Financial Projections

In the first month, we anticipate selling 20,000 bottles, which gives us monthly revenue of $20,000. With estimated monthly expenses of around $11,000, we project a monthly profit of $9,000.

Exit Strategy

Once PureSprings achieves sustainable growth, we may explore franchising, expansion into new regions, or a potential acquisition by a larger beverage company.

Remember that this is a hypothetical business plan, and the figures are illustrative. Real-world business plans should be based on comprehensive market research and professional financial advice.

For information on creating your business plan, see, How to Write a Business Plan.

12. Banking Considerations

Consider selecting a local bank that specializes in serving bottled water business owners.

Opening a dedicated business account clearly separates your business expenses and personal spending.

This separation simplifies expense tracking, facilitates efficient bookkeeping, and provides documentation in the event of a tax audit.

Establishing a professional relationship with your banker is beneficial. They can offer valuable advice and financial services and expedite application processes.

Additionally, explore applying for a merchant account or similar setup to accept credit and debit card payments. This enables convenient payment options for your customers, enhancing their satisfaction and boosting sales.

Remember, choosing a bank that understands the specific needs of your bottled water business can streamline your financial operations and contribute to the overall success of your venture.

Research and compare banking options, seek recommendations from fellow business owners and consider the level of personalized service and relevant financial solutions when making your decision.

For more, see, How to Open a Business Bank Account. You may also want to look at, What Is a Merchant Account and How to Get One.

13. Getting the Funds for Your Operation

Getting Funding for Your Bottled Water Business

If you need financial support to start and operate your bottled water business, there are various funding options available. Here are some key considerations and tips to help you navigate the process:

• Explore Funding Options: Funding sources for your business may include traditional lenders, private loans, investors, or even selling any assets you may have. Research each option thoroughly to determine which aligns best with your needs and preferences.
• Highlight your industry expertise and demonstrate a solid understanding of the bottled water market.
• Emphasize the unique selling points of your business, such as quality, sustainability, or target market focus.
• Provide a realistic and well-structured financial plan, including startup costs, revenue projections, and expected returns.
• Business plan detailing your objectives, market analysis, and financial projections.
• Personal and business financial statements, including tax returns and bank statements.
• Legal documents such as licenses, permits, and registrations.
• Collateral information, if applicable.

Secure funding for your bottled water business requires thorough preparation, a well-crafted business plan, and effective communication of your vision and potential.

Research your options, seek professional advice, and diligently compile the necessary documents to increase your chances of obtaining the funds to launch and grow your business successfully.

See, Getting a Small Business Loan for more.

14. Software Setup

Software Considerations for Your Bottled Water Business

Selecting the right software is crucial for efficient operations when setting up your bottled water business.

Here are some key points to consider:

1. Research Software Options

Thoroughly research the available software solutions. Implementing a program from scratch is often easier than switching to a new system after your data is already in another program.

2. Demo, Reviews, and Forums

Look for software providers that offer demos or trials. This allows you to evaluate the software’s features and user-friendliness.

Additionally, explore reviews and forums to gather insights from other user’s experiences with the software.

3. Expense Tracking and Financial Document Preparation

Consider software options that track expenses and prepare financial documents for tax filing.

Consulting with your bookkeeper or accountant can provide valuable guidance in choosing the right accounting software that aligns with your business needs.

Software Options to Consider for Your Bottled Water Business:

• Inventory Management Software
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Software
• Route Planning and Delivery Management Software
• Accounting Software
• Quality Control and Compliance Software

Remember to evaluate each software option based on its suitability for your business requirements, scalability, user-friendliness, and compatibility with existing systems.

Consider seeking recommendations from industry peers and consulting software providers for customized solutions tailored to your bottled water business.

Software Considerations for a Bottled Water Business.

Check out Google’s latest search results for software packages for a bottled water business.

15. Get The Right Business Insurance

Insurance Considerations for Your Bottled Water Business

Incidents can occur unexpectedly, making having the right insurance coverage essential before any activities occur at your bottled water business. Here are key considerations to keep in mind:

1. Comprehensive Coverage

Consider insurance policies that provide comprehensive coverage to protect various aspects of your business, including:

• Customer and Public Liability: Coverage for accidents or injuries to customers or the public on your premises.
• Workers’ Compensation: Protection for employees in case of work-related injuries or illnesses.
• Property Insurance: Safeguarding your physical assets, such as equipment, inventory, and facilities.
• Product Liability: Coverage for any harm or damage caused by your bottled water products.

2. Professional Liability Insurance

Consider obtaining professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance. This coverage protects you against potential lawsuits resulting from errors, negligence, or professional misconduct.

3. Home-based Business Insurance

If you plan to operate or manage your bottled water business from your home, inform your home insurance agent. Operating a business from home may impact your existing home insurance policy, and you may need additional coverage.

4. Consult an Insurance Broker

Working with a competent insurance broker is advisable to navigate the complexities of insurance and ensure you have sufficient coverage.

They can guide you in understanding your risks, selecting appropriate policies, and obtaining competitive rates.

Concerns When Seeking Insurance for a Bottled Water Business:

• Adequate coverage for customer and public liability risks
• Proper protection for employees through workers’ compensation
• Protection for your physical assets, including equipment and inventory
• Coverage for potential product liability claims
• Understanding any implications on existing home insurance policies for home-based businesses

Remember, securing the right insurance coverage is vital to safeguarding your bottled water business.

Assess your specific risks, consult with insurance professionals, and review policies carefully to ensure comprehensive protection against potential losses.

For more, see What to Know About Business Insurance . You can also browse the latest Google search results for bottled water business insurance .

16. Select Suppliers

Selecting Suppliers for Your Bottled Water Business

Developing strong relationships with reliable suppliers is crucial for the success of your bottled water business. Consider the following factors when selecting suppliers:

1. Reliability and Trustworthiness

Choose suppliers who are dependable and trustworthy. They should consistently deliver high-quality products and meet agreed-upon deadlines to ensure smooth operations.

2. Competitive Pricing

Look for suppliers who offer competitive prices. This lets you pass on cost savings to your customers, making your bottled water products more attractive and increasing your profit margin.

3. Stock Availability

Ensure your suppliers can consistently provide the necessary stock to meet the demands of your business. Prompt and reliable deliveries are essential to avoid any production or inventory management disruptions.

4. Respectful and Mutually Beneficial Relationships

Treat your suppliers with respect and fairness. Building a mutually beneficial relationship involves ensuring they also benefit financially.

This can foster long-term partnerships and open communication, leading to improved collaboration and shared success.

Remember, selecting the right suppliers is crucial for maintaining a reliable and efficient supply chain for your bottled water business.

Research and evaluate potential suppliers based on their reputation, product quality, pricing, and ability to meet your requirements.

Strong supplier relationships can contribute to your business’s overall growth and sustainability.

For More See, How To Choose a Supplier.

17. Physical Setup

A bottled water business’s physical setup/layout is crucial for efficient operations. The layout should prioritize functionality and convenience, allowing for smooth workflow and easy access to equipment and storage areas.

Consider factors such as production space, storage capacity, labeling stations, quality control areas, and shipping logistics.

An optimized layout ensures streamlined processes, enhances productivity, and promotes a safe working environment.

Setting up appropriate signage is essential for a bottled water business. In addition to installing a prominent main business sign, it is important to place signs in relevant locations, including parking lots, exits, and special areas.

Well-designed signs play a crucial role in directing people, providing clear instructions, and enhancing the overall professionalism of your operation.

Effective signage helps customers navigate your premises easily and creates a positive impression of your business.

Office Setup:

Managing your bottled water business requires dedicated time in the office. An organized office setup is key to maximizing productivity.

Ensure your office has essential tools, including computers, printers, telephones, filing systems, and comfortable furniture.

Create an efficient workspace that allows for effective communication, easy access to important documents, and a comfortable environment for administrative tasks.

A well-equipped and organized office supports smooth business operations, facilitates efficient decision-making, and enables effective management of your bottled water business.

See, Here are Considerations for The Setup of Your Office, for tips and ideas to make your office work for you. Also, have a look at our article About Company Signs.

18. Creating a Website

Having a website for your bottled water business offers numerous benefits. It is a powerful online presence, allowing customers to easily find and learn about your products and services.

A well-designed website showcases your brand, promotes credibility, and builds trust with potential customers. It provides a platform to showcase product information, pricing, and customer testimonials.

Additionally, a website enables online ordering and delivery options, expanding your customer reach.

It also facilitates effective communication, allowing customers to contact you directly, boosting customer engagement, and driving business growth in the digital landscape.

For more, see How to Build a Website for Your Business .

19. Create an External Support Team

Building an External Support Team for Your Bottled Water Business

An external support team of professionals is a valuable resource for your bottled water business. These experts provide valuable advice and services without being on your payroll.

While some professionals may already be part of your network, it’s important to recognize their significance and consider expanding your team.

Engaging Professionals for Specific Needs

Depending on your specific needs, you can engage professionals per project, contractual, or hourly. This allows you to access their expertise without the need for full-time employment.

Consider professionals such as an accountant, a lawyer, a financial advisor, a marketing specialist, technical advisors, and consultants.

Building Professional Relationships

Building professional relationships takes time and effort. Continually work on expanding your network and nurturing these connections.

As your business grows, you can benefit from the support and expertise of your trusted external team.

The Benefits of a Strong Support Team

A strong external support team ensures you have access to the necessary expertise and guidance when needed.

These professionals can assist with financial matters, legal compliance, marketing strategies, and technical challenges.

You can confidently make informed decisions and navigate challenges by leveraging your knowledge and skills.

Remember, developing a strong support team is an ongoing process. Regularly assess your business needs and seek professionals who align with your goals and values.

Collaborating with trusted experts contributes to the success and growth of your bottled water business.

For more, see, Building a Team of Professional Advisors for Your Business.

20. Hiring Employees

Hiring Employees for Your Bottled Water Business

At the initial stages of operating your bottled water business, you may consider handling all tasks yourself to avoid the expense of hiring employees.

This approach can be manageable and cost-effective, especially during the startup phase.

However, as your business grows, you may find it challenging to handle all aspects of management and operations alone.

Hiring employees can greatly improve productivity and allow you to focus on strategic decision-making.

List of Job Positions for a Growing Bottled Water Business:

The following are job positions or outsourced services you may want to consider as your bottled water business grows and becomes successful:

• Production Staff: Responsible for bottling, labeling, and quality control processes.
• Delivery Drivers: Ensuring timely and efficient delivery of bottled water to customers.
• Sales Representatives: Building customer relationships, acquiring new accounts, and increasing sales.
• Marketing Specialist: Developing and implementing marketing strategies to promote your brand and products.
• Warehouse Manager: Overseeing inventory management, stock rotation, and efficient storage practices.
• Customer Service Representative: Handling customer inquiries, resolving issues, and maintaining customer satisfaction.
• Financial Manager or Bookkeeper: Managing financial records, accounts payable/receivable, and financial analysis.
• Maintenance Technician: Ensuring proper functioning and maintenance of equipment and machinery.
• Administrative Assistant: Providing administrative support, managing schedules, and organizing documentation.

Remember, as your bottled water business grows, the workload increases and specialized roles become necessary for smooth operations and continued success.

Evaluate your specific business needs and consider hiring employees or outsourcing services to support your expanding operations effectively.

For more, see, How and When to Hire a New Employee.

Points To Consider

A List of Equipment and Supplies to Consider for a Bottled Water Business:

Equipment for a Bottled Water Business

• Water Source: You will need access to a water source, such as a well or natural spring.
• Water Purification Systems: To ensure the water is safe for consumption, a purification system that may include filtration, UV sterilization, and reverse osmosis equipment is required.
• Bottling Equipment: This includes washing, filling, capping, and labeling machines.
• Water Testing Kits: To consistently ensure the water’s quality and safety.
• Storage Tanks: For holding the purified water before it’s bottled.
• Conveyor Belts: These help move bottles from one station to another during bottling.
• Packaging Equipment: You’ll need equipment for packaging bottles into packs or crates for distribution.
• Pallet Jacks: These are necessary for moving larger quantities of packaged water around your facility.
• Delivery Vehicles: Depending on the size and reach of your business, you might need trucks or vans for distribution.
• Cooling and Heating Systems: Depending on your location, you might need to control the temperature in your storage areas.
• Office Equipment: Computers, printers, and other office equipment for managing orders, inventory, and other administrative tasks.
• Waste Management Systems: Equipment for managing waste and maintaining cleanliness in the production area.

This list gives a general idea of the equipment required for a bottled water business, but your specific needs may vary depending on your business model and local regulations.

Always do your research and seek professional advice if necessary.

Marketing Considerations

Attracting Customers for Your Bottled Water Business

In the bottled water industry, customers are vital for the success of your business. Initially, it can be challenging to attract customers as your operation is new and awareness is limited.

Building a good reputation over time will make it easier to attract customers. With experience and a solid reputation, you can leverage your marketing efforts more effectively.

Marketing your bottled water business is an ongoing process that requires continuous investment. Consider it as a means to raise awareness and capture opportunities whenever they arise.

Investing in effective marketing techniques directly impacts your revenue generation. By implementing strategic marketing campaigns, you can reach your target audience, create brand awareness, and drive customer engagement.

Remember, effective marketing is essential to establish your presence in the market and attract customers to your bottled water business.

Continuously refine your marketing strategies, adapt to changing consumer needs, and seize opportunities to promote your products and services.

See our article How To Get Customers Through the Door

Building Business Partnerships for Your Bottled Water Business

Creating partnerships with other businesses can be a valuable strategy to attract new customers to your bottled water business.

Consider approaching the following businesses to explore collaboration opportunities:

• Fitness Centers: Partner with gyms, health clubs, or fitness studios to provide bottled water for their members and offer special promotions or discounts to encourage referrals.
• Offices and Workplaces: Establish relationships with local businesses and corporate offices to supply bottled water for employees, meetings, and events. In return, offer referral incentives and customized branding options.
• Cafes and Restaurants: Collaborate with cafes, restaurants, and food establishments to offer bottled water as a beverage menu. Provide promotional materials and incentives to encourage them to refer customers to your business.
• Event Planners: Forge connections with event planning companies and wedding planners to supply bottled water for their events. Consider offering customized branding options and referral bonuses for each successful event referral.
• Health and Wellness Practitioners: Partner with healthcare professionals, nutritionists, and wellness practitioners who promote hydration and healthy lifestyles. Offer educational materials and referral incentives to support their clients’ hydration needs.

When approaching potential partners, emphasize the mutual benefits of collaboration. Consider offering referral fees, co-marketing opportunities, or exclusive promotions to incentivize referrals and strengthen the partnership.

Building strategic partnerships can extend your reach and attract new customers to your bottled water business.

Seek out businesses whose clientele aligns with your target market, and explore creative ways to collaborate and foster mutually beneficial relationships.

Assessing Your Skills for Running a Bottled Water Business

Evaluating your skill set is important to determine if you have the necessary abilities to run a successful bottled water business. Recognizing your strengths and weaknesses allows you to focus on areas that require improvement or consideration for delegation. Remember, if you lack an essential skill, you can learn it or hire someone with expertise in that area.

Essential Skills for a Bottled Water Business Owner:

• Entrepreneurial Mindset: Demonstrating a proactive, innovative, and growth-oriented approach to business.
• Industry Knowledge: Understanding the bottled water industry, trends, regulations, and consumer preferences.
• Business Planning: Developing comprehensive business plans, setting goals, and creating strategies for growth.
• Financial Management: Proficiently managing finances, budgeting, tracking expenses, and analyzing financial performance.
• Marketing and Sales: Effectively promoting your brand, developing marketing strategies, and driving sales.
• Operations Management: Overseeing production processes, inventory management, quality control, and logistics.
• Customer Service: Providing excellent customer experiences, addressing inquiries, and resolving issues promptly.
• Communication Skills: Articulating ideas clearly, negotiating contracts, and maintaining strong relationships with stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving : Identifying challenges, evaluating options, and making informed decisions to overcome obstacles.
• Adaptability: Embracing change, navigating market dynamics, and adjusting business strategies as needed.

Remember, as a bottled water business owner, continuously developing and honing these essential skills will contribute to your business’s success and growth.

Seek opportunities for learning and improvement while considering delegating tasks where necessary.

Expert Tips

Benefiting from Expert Tips to Enhance Your Skill Set

Exploring expert tips is invaluable for skill improvement, whether an expert or a novice.

You can discover more efficient approaches and gain fresh perspectives as an expert. As a novice, you can gather numerous tips to enhance your skills and expand your knowledge base.

See the latest search results for expert bottled water tips to gain tips and insights.

Valuable Resources for Your Bottled Water Business

In this section, you will find a compilation of resources that provide access to the latest and most relevant information in the bottled water industry.

These resources are beneficial during the startup phase and when your business is fully operational.

By utilizing these resources, you can gain a deeper understanding of the industry, stay updated on industry trends, and access valuable tips for enhancing your business practices.

They serve as a valuable knowledge base for your growth and success in the bottled water industry.

Trends and Statistics

Gaining Insights from Industry Trends and Statistics in the Bottled Water Business

Examining industry trends and statistics offers valuable insights for a bottled water business. It provides a deeper understanding of market dynamics, consumer preferences, and emerging opportunities.

You can make informed decisions, adapt strategies, and position your business for success in a dynamic marketplace by staying informed.

See the latest search results for trends and statistics related to the bottled water industry.

Bottled Water Associations

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Trade associations offer numerous advantages, including staying informed about industry news and accessing networking opportunities. These benefits are particularly evident when associations organize events.

See the search results related to bottled water associations.

Top Bottled Water Business

Drawing Inspiration from Established Bottled Water Businesses

Examining established bottled water businesses can spark ideas and insights to identify untapped opportunities within the industry.

It allows you to uncover unique offerings or identify areas for improvement in your business that may have been overlooked. Learning from successful businesses helps shape your own strategies and differentiate your brand.

See the latest search results for the top bottled water businesses.

The Future of the Bottled Water Industry

Unveiling Future Opportunities: Researching the Future of the Bottled Water Industry

Researching the future of the bottled water industry offers significant benefits for aspiring business owners.

It allows you to gain insights into emerging trends, consumer demands, and technological advancements, enabling you to make informed decisions and position your business for long-term success.

See the search results for the future of the bottled water industry.

Gaining Price Insights: Researching Industry Prices for Starting a Bottled Water Business

Researching industry prices provides valuable benefits when launching a bottled water business.

It allows you to understand market pricing trends, determine competitive pricing strategies, and ensure your pricing is competitive while maintaining profitability.

This knowledge helps you make informed decisions and set appropriate product pricing.

See the latest bottled water prices.

Bottled Water Businesses for Sale

Considering the Purchase of an Established Bottled Water Business

Exploring the option of buying an existing bottled water business offers both advantages and disadvantages.

The benefits of acquiring an established business include:

• Immediate Revenue: Start earning revenue from the day you take over the business.
• Skip the Startup Phase: Bypass the challenges and uncertainties of starting from scratch.
• Proven Success: The business has a track record of success, and you know it works.
• Financial Insights: Access information on revenue, profit, and expenses before deciding.
• Existing Customer Base: Benefit from an established customer base, saving time and effort in acquiring new customers.
• Established Reputation: The business has already built a reputation in the market, which can be advantageous.

However, there are also potential disadvantages to consider:

• Higher Cost: Purchasing an established business often involves paying a premium due to its goodwill and existing customer base.
• Customer Retention : If you intend to make significant changes to the business, there is a risk of losing customers accustomed to the previous operations.
• Inherited Reputation: When acquiring a business, you also inherit its existing reputation, which may include both positive and negative aspects.

Even if you don’t find an exact match for a bottled water business for sale, it’s worth exploring similar opportunities within the industry.

Researching available options can provide valuable insights and inform your decision-making process.

Businesses for sale: See the latest results for a bottled water business and others related to this business model.

Franchise Opportunities Related to a Bottled Water

Considering the Purchase of a Bottled Water Franchise

Exploring the option of buying a bottled water franchise offers both advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to carefully evaluate these factors before starting a business.

Additionally, while exploring franchise opportunities, you may discover related options in the bottled water industry that you hadn’t considered.

• Proven Business Model: Follow the established plan provided by the corporate office, leveraging their expertise and experience.
• Established Reputation and Marketing: Benefit from the franchise’s existing reputation and marketing efforts, giving your business a head start.
• Comprehensive Knowledge: Gain thorough insights into every aspect of the business before getting involved.
• Corporate Support: Receive ongoing support and guidance from the corporate office to navigate business challenges.
• Cost: Purchasing a franchise can involve significant upfront expenses, including fees and other financial obligations.
• Limited Autonomy: Major changes require approval from the corporate office, limiting your freedom to make independent decisions.
• Approved Products and Services: Operate strictly within the framework of approved products and services defined by the franchise agreement.
• Operational Restrictions: Adhere to the operational guidelines and restrictions outlined in the franchise agreement.
• Ongoing Franchise Fees: Pay regular franchise fees for your ongoing financial obligations.

Even if you don’t find an exact match for a bottled water business franchise, you can explore franchise opportunities within the same industry using the provided link.

See the latest search results for franchise opportunities related to this industry.

Knowledge Is Power if You Use It!

Harnessing the Power of Knowledge for Your Bottled Water Business

Acquiring knowledge is a powerful tool when effectively utilized in your bottled water business. The internet offers a wealth of information about your industry.

Following the links in the following sections, you can access valuable resources to support your research, guide you through the startup phase, and enhance your business operations.

Stay informed, leverage the available information, and empower your journey to success in the bottled water industry.

A Day in the Life

Insights into the Day-to-Day Life of a Bottled Water Business Owner

Gain valuable tips and insights from industry professionals to understand what to expect in a typical day as a bottled water business owner. This resource provides an overview of the daily responsibilities and operations, offering practical guidance for success in the industry.

See the search results related to a day in the life of bottled water business owners.

Bottled Water Business Owners Interviews

Gaining Valuable Insights from Interviews with Bottled Water Industry Business Owners

Take the time to explore this section, where interviews with experienced business owners in the bottled water industry provide essential information and insights. Look into different perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of the industry and valuable insights into what to expect.

See the search results related to interviews of bottled water business owners.

Bottled Water Publications

Staying Informed with Publications in the Bottled Water Industry

Publications serve as a valuable resource to stay updated with the latest information about the bottled water business.

Explore these publications to access industry news, trends, insights, and best practices, ensuring you stay informed and ahead of the curve.

See the search results for Bottled Water publications.

Bottled Water Forums

Engaging in Bottled Water Forums for Industry Insights

Participating in bottled water forums allows one to join relevant discussions and connect with industry peers.

By actively engaging in these forums, you can foster relationships, gain customer perspectives, and gather valuable insights contributing to your business understanding and growth.

See the latest search results related to Bottled Water forums.

Enhancing Skills and Industry Knowledge through Bottled Water Production Courses

Enroll in courses related to bottled water production to enhance your skillset and stay updated with industry advancements.

These courses offer valuable learning opportunities to improve your capabilities and remain knowledgeable and current in the industry.

See the latest courses related to bottled water production  and our management articles to provide insights and tips on managing Your business.

Bottled Water Blogs

Gaining Insights and Industry Updates through Bottled Water Blogs

Subscribing to bottled water blogs offers a valuable source of ideas and industry updates.

By subscribing to multiple blogs and curating the ones that provide value, you create a collection of resources that deliver a constant flow of relevant information to support your business endeavors.

Look at the latest search results for bottled water production blogs to follow.

Staying Current with Bottled Water Industry News

Stay updated with the latest bottled water industry events by following industry news.

Set up alerts to receive notifications whenever new developments are covered by the media, ensuring you stay informed and well-informed.

Bottled Water News

Gaining Valuable Tips and Insights from Bottled Water Industry Videos

Explore videos about the bottled water industry to access helpful tips and insights.

Additionally, take advantage of related videos suggested by YouTube, as they often cover topics you may not have previously considered, expanding your knowledge and understanding.

See the links to YouTube Videos Below.

• Videos related to starting a bottled water business can be found here.

Starting a Water Refilling Station Business

For More Business Ideas, See our Collection of Business Ideas.

Privacy Overview

How to Start a Bottled Water Business

Bottled water businesses deal in the bottling and distributing of drinking water to consumers. Whether purified, distilled, or natural spring water, your bottled water business will supply your customers with ample hydration. Taking the steps to start your own bottled water business can be a satisfying experience that allows you to make money while also helping your customers achieve a healthy lifestyle. 

Learn how to start your own Bottled Water Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a bottled water business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Bottled Water Business
• Form your Bottled Water Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Bottled Water Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Bottled Water Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Bottled Water Business
• Get Bottled Water Business Insurance
• Define your Bottled Water Business Brand
• Create your Bottled Water Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your bottled water business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Bottled Water Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your bottled water business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a bottled water business.

Costs for starting a water treatment plant include storage tanks, filling machines, water treatment machines, filters, conveyors, sealers, water sterilizers, water dispensers, bottle loaders, trucks, and employees to work in the plant.

Startup costs can range from $500,000 to $750,000 for a “bare bones” plant. However, some plants may require more capital, up to $1.5 million, or more, depending on the size of your operation.

You will also need a license from the U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA). You will also need a permit from your state health department.

Finally, you’ll need a dedicated bottle supplier, a water source, and employees to run your plant. This is a very labor-intensive job.

What are the ongoing expenses for a bottled water business?

Ongoing expenses are extensive. Maintenance on the plant can cost tens of thousands of dollars every year for a small plant, and as much (or more) every month for a medium to large-scale bottled water plant.

Utility costs can also be high, due to the process of purifying and bottling water.

Labor costs are also high, as most employees expect a full-time salary, plus benefits. Liability insurance, health insurance, unemployment insurance, 401(k) matching and administrative services, and worker’s compensation insurance can run tens of thousands of dollars per month.

Who is the target market?

Customers are usually commercial enterprises like local grocery stores. However, some small companies do sell directly to consumers or to businesses.

How does a bottled water business make money?

A bottled water business makes money by charging customers for processing and bottling potable water.

Bottled water has a high markup. If you are selling to grocery stores, you may be able to charge $1 to $2 per bottle, or a flat rate per truckload or pallet. Most companies make arrangements for regular shipments to establish themselves as “anchor customers.” You may or may not sell your products for a lower price to get these deals, but will generally increase revenue as a result.

How much profit can a bottled water business make?

Profits can range between 100% and 500%, or more.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Your business can become even more profitable by entering niche markets such as flavored bottled water, sparkling water, spring water, and mineral water. Some companies have specialty lines of water, which include flavored mineral water, flavored sparkling water, and sports drinks.

Finally, consider offering designer waters, seltzer waters and club soda, and flavored soda.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your bottled water business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

Federal Business Licensing Requirements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates bottled water. FDA regulations for bottled water include Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), standards of identity and labeling requirements.

A detailed description of regulation, licensing and labeling requirements can be found here .

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a bottled water business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits .

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Bottled Water Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Bottled Water Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a bottled water business

Marketing and distribution is key in this business. Your target market should be grocers, vending machine companies and operators, stadiums, event locations, and other large-scale commercial enterprises and operations that need high volume bottled water supplies.

How to keep customers coming back

Make sure you deliver on your promises and be competitive on your pricing. This is a highly commoditized industry. Often, it’s the business that meets deadlines and has the lowest (or at least competitive) pricing that wins.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is perfect for individuals who are passionate about their health or are health conscious and want to run a business that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a bottled water business?

The day-to-day operations of a plant depend largely on the type of plant you run.

There are many different ways to process bottled water. Spring water is one of the most common. It comes from an underground formation and flows naturally to the earth's surface. Purified drinking water is one that is processed to remove chlorine and other contaminants. Unless your plant processes public sources of water, like municipal drinking water, you are not usually required to disclose where you sourced it.

Natural sparkling water is naturally carbonated water from a spring or well. Mineral water comes from a spring and contains dissolved minerals like magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium, and silica and bicarbonates. Finally, seltzer water is an FDA-regulated soft drink product.

The day-to-day operations include bringing in water from an outside source and bottling it. During this process, there are many intermediary steps, including sanitising containers, preparing bottles preparing and filtering the water, and setting up packaging protocols to ensure that the water is ready to be shipped.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful bottled water business?

You will need business experience, contacts in the industry, and a working understanding of how water is purified. No degrees are necessary but you may need special permitting and licensing from the government. Most owners and managers of a bottled water business have extensive management experience, especially in a related industry.

What is the growth potential for a bottled water business?

Growth potential is virtually unlimited. Companies like Nestle own massive water processing and treatment plants where they produce bottled water for countless grocery stores and make billions in profits every year.

Most bottled water plants start life as small or medium-sized plants.

You can grow your business at a rapid pace by taking on outside financing from a bank or venture capital firm. Or, you can grow more organically from sales profits. Growing through leverage (bank loans) has its advantages. For example, your profits are likely to climb quickly on momentum. This can shortcut the time it takes you to grow and meet your revenue growth targets. However, it can also saddle you with creditors who want to see target revenue and profit targets that are too optimistic.

Growing organically is prevents this from happening, but it also slows growth and might prevent you from growing beyond a certain size.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a bottled water business?

Spend time finding a sustainable water source for your operation. Your water source will greatly influence your profits. If you find a source that costs $3 to $5 per 1,000 liters, this is going to result in a higher profit than if you’re paying the same amount for 100 liters of water.

How and when to build a team

You must begin building a team immediately. A bottled water company cannot operate as a solo or one-person company. You will need at least 20 to 50 employees to start, and you should scale up within the first 3 years to at least 50 to 100 employees, or more.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• International Bottled Water Association
• International Council of Bottled Water Associations
• Water to Go Franchise Opportunity

Real World Examples

• Lithia Spring Water
• The Mountain Valley Spring
• Arbor Spring Water

Further Reading

• How to Start a Bottled Water Production Company in 20 Steps
• Important Points to Think About Your Business Plan
• Licensing & Labeling in the Bottled Water Business
• Source Water Development

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

How to write a business plan for a water distribution company?

Creating a business plan for a water distribution company is an essential process for any entrepreneur. It serves as a roadmap that outlines the necessary steps to be taken to start or grow the business, the resources required, and the anticipated financial outcomes. It should be crafted with method and confidence.

This guide is designed to provide you with the tools and knowledge necessary for creating a water distribution company business plan, covering why it is so important both when starting up and running an established business, what should be included in your plan, how it should be structured, what tools should be used to save time and avoid errors, and other helpful tips.

We have a lot to cover, so let's get to it!

In this guide:

Why write a business plan for a water distribution company?

What information is needed to create a business plan for a water distribution company.

• What goes in the financial forecast for a water distribution company?
• What goes in the written part of a water distribution company business plan?
• What tool can I use to write my water distribution company business plan?

Being clear on the scope and goals of the document will make it easier to understand its structure and content. So before diving into the actual content of the plan, let's have a quick look at the main reasons why you would want to write a water distribution company business plan in the first place.

To have a clear roadmap to grow the business

Small businesses rarely experience a constant and predictable environment. Economic cycles go up and down, while the business landscape is mutating constantly with new regulations, technologies, competitors, and consumer behaviours emerging when we least expect it.

In this dynamic context, it's essential to have a clear roadmap for your water distribution company. Otherwise, you are navigating in the dark which is dangerous given that - as a business owner - your capital is at risk.

That's why crafting a well-thought-out business plan is crucial to ensure the long-term success and sustainability of your venture.

To create an effective business plan, you'll need to take a step-by-step approach. First, you'll have to assess your current position (if you're already in business), and then identify where you'd like your water distribution company to be in the next three to five years.

Once you have a clear destination for your water distribution company, you'll focus on three key areas:

• Resources: you'll determine the human, equipment, and capital resources needed to reach your goals successfully.
• Speed: you'll establish the optimal pace at which your business needs to grow if it is to meet its objectives within the desired timeframe.
• Risks: you'll identify and address potential risks you might encounter along the way.

By going through this process regularly, you'll be able to make informed decisions about resource allocation, paving the way for the long-term success of your business.

Need a convincing business plan?

The Business Plan Shop makes it easy to create a financial forecast to assess the potential profitability of your projects, and write a business plan that’ll wow investors.

To anticipate future cash flows

Regularly comparing your actual financial performance to the projections in the financial forecast of your water distribution company's business plan gives you the ability to monitor your business's financial health and make necessary adjustments as needed.

This practice allows you to detect potential financial issues, such as unexpected cash shortfalls before they escalate into major problems. Giving you time to find additional financing or put in place corrective measures.

Additionally, it helps you identify growth opportunities, like excess cash flow that could be allocated to launch new products and services or expand into new markets.

Staying on track with these regular comparisons enables you to make well-informed decisions about the amount of financing your business might require, or the excess cash flow you can expect to generate from your main business activities.

To secure financing

Crafting a comprehensive business plan for your water distribution company, whether you're starting up or already established, is paramount when you're seeking financing from banks or investors.

Given how fragile small businesses are, financiers will want to ensure that you have a clear roadmap in place as well as command and control of your future cash flows before entertaining the idea of funding you.

For banks, the information in your business plan will be used to assess your borrowing capacity - which is defined as the maximum amount of debt your business can afford alongside your ability to repay the loan. This evaluation helps them decide whether to extend credit to your business and under what terms (interest rate, duration, repayment options, collateral, etc.).

Similarly, investors will thoroughly review your plan to determine if their investment can yield an attractive return. They'll be looking for evidence that your water distribution company has the potential for healthy growth, profitability, and consistent cash flow generation over time.

Now that you understand the importance of creating a business plan for your water distribution company, let's delve into the necessary information needed to craft an effective plan.

Writing a water distribution company business plan requires research so that you can project sales, investments and cost accurately in your financial forecast.

In this section, we cover three key pieces of information you should gather before drafting your business plan!

Carrying out market research for a water distribution company

Before you begin writing your business plan for a water distribution company, conducting market research is a critical step in ensuring precise and realistic financial projections.

Market research grants you valuable insights into your target customer base, competitors, pricing strategies, and other crucial factors that can impact the success of your business.

In the course of this research, you may stumble upon trends that could impact your water distribution company.

You may find that the demand for your water distribution company's product could increase in areas where the population is growing. Additionally, the amount of time customers are willing to wait for delivery might decrease, as customers become more accustomed to fast delivery of goods and services.

Such market trends play a pivotal role in revenue forecasting, as they provide essential data regarding potential customers' spending habits and preferences.

By integrating these findings into your financial projections, you can provide investors with more accurate information, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about investing in your water distribution company.

Developing the sales and marketing plan for a water distribution company

Budgeting sales and marketing expenses is essential before creating a water distribution company business plan.

A comprehensive sales and marketing plan should provide an accurate projection of what actions need to be implemented to acquire and retain customers, how many people are needed to carry out these initiatives, and how much needs to be spent on promotions, advertising, and other aspects.

This helps ensure that the right amount of resources is allocated to these activities in order to hit the sales and growth objectives forecasted in your business plan.

The staffing and equipment needs of a water distribution company

Whether you are at the beginning stages of your water distribution company or expanding its horizons, having a clear plan for recruitment and capital expenditures (investment in equipment and real estate) is vital to ensure your business's success.

To achieve this, both the recruitment and investment plans must align coherently with the projected timing and level of growth in your forecast. It is essential to secure appropriate funding for these plans.

The staffing costs for a water distribution company might include salaries for office staff, delivery drivers, customer service staff, and warehouse workers. The equipment costs might include trucks for delivery, warehouse shelving, computer systems, and other tools and machines.

To create a financial forecast that accurately represents your business's outlook, remember to factor in other day-to-day operating expenses.

Now that you have all the necessary information, it's time to dive in and start creating your business plan and developing the financial forecast for your water distribution company.

What goes into your water distribution company's financial forecast?

The financial forecast of your water distribution company will enable you to assess the profitability potential of your business in the coming years and how much capital is required to fund the actions planned in the business plan.

The four key outputs of a financial forecast for a water distribution company are:

• The profit and loss (P&L) statement ,
• The projected balance sheet ,
• The cash flow forecast ,
• And the sources and uses table .

Let's take a closer look at each of these.

The projected P&L statement

The projected P&L statement for a water distribution company shows how much revenue and profit your business is expected to make in the future.

A healthy water distribution company's P&L statement should show:

• Sales growing at (minimum) or above (better) inflation
• Stable (minimum) or expanding (better) profit margins
• A healthy level of net profitability

This will of course depend on the stage of your business: numbers for a startup will look different than for an established water distribution company.

The forecasted balance sheet of your water distribution company

The projected balance sheet of your water distribution company will enable the reader of your business plan to assess the overall financial health of your business.

It shows three elements: assets, liabilities and equity:

• Assets: are productive resources owned by the business, such as equipment, cash, and accounts receivable (money owed by clients).
• Liabilities: are debts owed to creditors, lenders, and other entities, such as accounts payable (money owed to suppliers).
• Equity: includes the sums invested by the shareholders or business owners and the profits and losses accumulated by the business to date (which are called retained earnings). It is a proxy for the value of the owner's stake in the business.

Analysing your water distribution company projected balance sheet provides an understanding of your water distribution company's working capital structure, investment and financing policies.

In particular, the readers of your plan can compare the level of financial debt on the balance sheet to the equity value to measure the level of financial risk (equity doesn't need to be reimbursed, while financial debt must be repaid, making it riskier).

They can also use your balance sheet to assess your water distribution company's liquidity and solvency:

• A liquidity analysis: focuses on whether or not your business has sufficient cash and short-term assets to cover its liabilities due in the next 12 months.
• A solvency analysis: takes and longer view to assess whether or not your business has the capacity to repay its debts over the medium-term.

The projected cash flow statement

A cash flow forecast for a water distribution company shows how much cash the business is projected to generate or consume.

The cash flow statement is divided into 3 main areas:

• The operating cash flow shows how much cash is generated or consumed by the operations (running the business)
• The investing cash flow shows how much cash is being invested in capital expenditure (equipment, real estate, etc.)
• The financing cash flow shows how much cash is raised or distributed to investors and lenders

Looking at the cash flow forecast helps you to ensure that your business has enough cash to keep running, and can help you anticipate potential cash shortfalls.

It is also a best practice to include a monthly cash flow statement in the appendices of your water distribution company business plan so that the readers can view the impact of seasonality on your business cash position and generation.

The initial financing plan

The initial financing plan, also known as a sources and uses table, is a valuable resource to have in your business plan when starting your water distribution company as it reveals the origins of the money needed to establish the business (sources) and how it will be allocated (uses).

Having this table helps show what costs are involved in setting up your water distribution company, how risks are shared between founders, investors and lenders, and what the starting cash position will be. This cash position needs to be sufficient to sustain operations until the business reaches a break-even point.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what goes into the financial forecast of your water distribution company business plan, let's shift our focus to the written part of the plan.

The written part of a water distribution company business plan

The written part of a water distribution company business plan is composed of 7 main sections:

• The executive summary
• The presentation of the company
• The products and services
• The market analysis
• The strategy
• The operations
• The financial plan

Throughout these sections, you will seek to provide the reader with the details and context needed for them to form a view on whether or not your business plan is achievable and your forecast a realistic possibility.

Let's go through the content of each section in more detail!

1. The executive summary

In your water distribution company's business plan, the first section is the executive summary — a captivating overview of your plan that aims to pique the reader's interest and leave them eager to learn more about your business.

When crafting the executive summary, start with an introduction to your business, including its name, concept, location, how long it has been running, and what sets it apart. Briefly mention the products and services you plan to offer and your target customer profile.

Following that, provide an overview of the addressable market for your water distribution company, current trends, and potential growth opportunities.

Next, include a summary of key financial figures like projected revenues, profits, and cash flows.

Finally, in the "ask" section, detail any funding requirements you may have.

2. The presentation of the company

In your water distribution company business plan, the second section should focus on the structure and ownership, location, and management team of your company.

In the structure and ownership part, you'll provide an overview of the business's legal structure, details about the owners, and their respective investments and ownership shares. This clarity is crucial, especially if you're seeking financing, as it helps the reader understand which legal entity will receive the funds and who controls the business.

Moving on to the location part, you'll offer an overview of the company's premises and their surroundings. Explain why this particular location is of interest, highlighting factors like catchment area, accessibility, and nearby amenities.

When describing the location of your water distribution company, you could emphasize its potential for growth. You might point out that the area has a large population and is experiencing rapid population growth. You could also emphasize the potential for business growth due to the increasing demand for water as the region continues to develop. Additionally, you might highlight the location's access to transportation and resources, such as highways and ports, that make it an attractive place for businesses to set up shop. All of these factors could make your water distribution company an attractive investment opportunity for a third party financier.

Finally, you should introduce your management team. Describe each member's role, background, and experience.

Don't forget to emphasize any past successes achieved by the management team and how long they've been working together. Demonstrating their track record and teamwork will help potential lenders or investors gain confidence in their leadership and ability to execute the business plan.

3. The products and services section

The products and services section of your business plan should include a detailed description of the offerings that your company provides to its customers. 

For example, your water distribution company might offer a range of products and services such as water testing services to ensure customer safety and satisfaction, filtration and conditioning systems to provide clean and safe drinking water, and water delivery services to provide customers with convenience. These services and products can help customers ensure they are receiving clean and safe water, and that their water needs are met in a reliable and timely manner.

When drafting this section, you should be precise about the categories of products or services you sell, the types of customers you are targeting and how customers can buy them.

4. The market analysis

When outlining your market analysis in the water distribution company business plan, it's essential to include comprehensive details about customers' demographics and segmentation, target market, competition, barriers to entry, and relevant regulations.

The primary aim of this section is to give the reader an understanding of the market size and appeal while demonstrating your expertise in the industry.

To begin, delve into the demographics and segmentation subsection, providing an overview of the addressable market for your water distribution company, key marketplace trends, and introducing various customer segments and their preferences in terms of purchasing habits and budgets.

Next, shift your focus to the target market subsection, where you can zoom in on the specific customer segments your water distribution company targets. Explain how your products and services are tailored to meet the unique needs of these customers.

For example, your target market might include people who live in areas with limited access to clean water. These people may not have access to a public water supply, so they may rely on private water distribution companies to provide them with clean and safe drinking water. Additionally, people who live in rural areas may be more likely to purchase water from a distribution company as opposed to urban areas.

In the competition subsection, introduce your main competitors and explain what sets your water distribution company apart from them.

Finally, round off your market analysis by providing an overview of the main regulations that apply to your water distribution company.

5. The strategy section

When you write the strategy section of your water distribution company business plan, remember to cover key elements such as your competitive edge, pricing strategy, sales & marketing plan, milestones, and risks and mitigants.

In the competitive edge subsection, elaborate on what makes your company stand out from competitors. This becomes especially important if you're a startup, aiming to carve a place for yourself amidst established players in the marketplace.

The pricing strategy subsection should demonstrate how you plan to maintain profitability while offering competitive prices to attract customers.

Outline your sales & marketing plan, detailing how you'll reach out to new customers and retain existing ones through loyalty programs or special offers.

For the milestones subsection, outline your company's achievements to date and your main objectives for the future, complete with specific dates to set clear expectations for progress.

Lastly, the risks and mitigants subsection should address the main risks that could affect your plan's execution. Explain the measures you've put in place to minimize these risks, assuring potential investors or lenders.

Your water distribution company could face risks related to natural disasters, such as floods or earthquakes. If a natural disaster impacts the area, it could cause significant disruption to the water supply and damage to infrastructure, which would need to be repaired before operations could resume. Your water distribution company may also face risks related to cyber security. If hackers were to gain access to the system, they could cause significant damage and disrupt operations. Additionally, customer data and other confidential information could be stolen, which could lead to legal and financial repercussions.

6. The operations section

The operations of your water distribution company must be presented in detail in your business plan.

The first thing you should cover in this section is your staffing team, the main roles, and the overall recruitment plan to support the growth expected in your business plan. You should also outline the qualifications and experience necessary to fulfil each role, and how you intend to recruit (using job boards, referrals, or headhunters).

You should then state the operating hours of your water distribution company - so that the reader can check the adequacy of your staffing levels - and any plans for varying opening times during peak season. Additionally, the plan should include details on how you will handle customer queries outside of normal operating hours.

The next part of this section should focus on the key assets and IP required to operate your business. If you depend on any licenses or trademarks, physical structures (equipment or property) or lease agreements, these should all go in there.

You could have the physical infrastructure of the distribution system and the technology associated with it as key assets. This could include pipes, pumps, tanks, and valves. You might also have intellectual property such as proprietary designs, software, and processes used in the operation of the distribution system. Additionally, you could have customer data, such as contact information, billing records, and customer history, which could be used to improve the services the company provides.

Finally, you should include a list of suppliers that you plan to work with and a breakdown of their services and main commercial terms (price, payment terms, contract duration, etc.). Investors are always keen to know if there is a particular reason why you have chosen to work with a specific supplier (higher-quality products or past relationships for example).

7. The presentation of the financial plan

The financial plan section is where we will present the financial forecast we talked about earlier in this guide.

Now that you have a clear idea of what goes in your water distribution company business plan, let's look at the solutions you can use to draft yours.

What tool should I use to write my water distribution company's business plan?

There are two main ways of creating your water distribution company business plan:

• Using specialized business planning software,
• Hiring a business plan writer.

Using an online business plan software for your water distribution company's business plan

The modern and most efficient way to write a water distribution company business plan is to use business plan software .

There are several advantages to using specialized software:

• You can easily create your financial forecast by letting the software take care of the financial calculations for you without errors
• You are guided through the writing process by detailed instructions and examples for each part of the plan
• You can access a library of dozens of complete business plan samples and templates for inspiration
• You get a professional business plan, formatted and ready to be sent to your bank or investors
• You can easily track your actual financial performance against your financial forecast
• You can create scenarios to stress test your forecast's main assumptions
• You can easily update your forecast as time goes by to maintain visibility on future cash flows
• You have a friendly support team on standby to assist you when you are stuck

If you're interested in using this type of solution, you can try The Business Plan Shop for free by signing up here .

Hiring a business plan writer to write your water distribution company's business plan

Outsourcing your water distribution company business plan to a business plan writer can also be a viable option.

These writers possess valuable experience in crafting business plans and creating accurate financial forecasts. Additionally, enlisting their services can save you precious time, enabling you to concentrate on the day-to-day operations of your business.

It's important to be mindful, though, that hiring business plan writers comes with a cost. You'll be paying not just for their time but also for the software they use, and their profit margin.

Based on experience, a complete business plan usually requires a budget of at least £1.5k ($2.0k) excluding tax, and more if revisions are needed after initial meetings with lenders or investors - changes often arise following these discussions.

When seeking investment, be cautious about spending too much on consulting fees. Investors prefer their funds to contribute directly to business growth. Thus, the amount you spend on business plan writing services and other consulting services should be negligible compared to the amount you raise.

Another aspect to consider is that while you'll receive the output of the business plan, you usually won't own the actual document. It will be saved in the consultant's business plan software, which will make updating the plan challenging without retaining the consultant on a retainer.

Given these factors, it's essential to carefully weigh the pros and cons of outsourcing your water distribution company business plan to a business plan writer and decide what best suits your business's unique needs.

Why not create your water distribution company's business plan using Word or Excel?

Using Microsoft Excel and Word (or their Google, Apple, or open-source equivalents) to write a water distribution company business plan is a terrible idea.

For starters, creating an accurate and error-free financial forecast on Excel (or any spreadsheet) is very technical and requires both a strong grasp of accounting principles and solid skills in financial modelling.

As a result, it is unlikely anyone will trust your numbers unless - like us at The Business Plan Shop - you hold a degree in finance and accounting and have significant financial modelling experience in your past.

The second reason is that it is inefficient. Building forecasts on spreadsheets was the only option in the 1990s and early 2000s, nowadays technology has advanced and software can do it much faster and much more accurately.

And with the rise of AI, software is also becoming smarter at helping us detect mistakes in our forecasts and helping us analyse the numbers to make better decisions.

Also, using software makes it easy to compare actuals vs. forecasts and maintain our forecasts up to date to maintain visibility on future cash flows - as we discussed earlier in this guide - whereas this is a pain to do with a spreadsheet.

That's for the forecast, but what about the written part of my water distribution company business plan?

This part is less error-prone, but here also software brings tremendous gains in productivity:

• Word processors don't include instructions and examples for each part of your business plan
• Word processors don't update your numbers automatically when they change in your forecast
• Word processors don't handle the formatting for you

Overall, while Word or Excel may be viable options for creating a water distribution company business plan for some entrepreneurs, it is by far not the best or most efficient solution.

• Having an up-to-date business plan is key to maintaining visibility on your future cash flows.
• A business plan has 2 parts: a financial forecast highlighting the expected growth, profitability and cash generation of the business; and a written part which provides the context needed to interpret and assess the quality of the forecast.
• Using business plan software is the modern way of writing and maintaining business plans.

We hope that this guide helped you to better understand how to write the business plan for a water distribution company. If you still have questions, do not hesitate to contact us.

Also on The Business Plan Shop

• How to write a 5 years business plan
• Business model and business plan: the difference explained
• Business plan conclusion explained
• Business plan myths

Know someone who owns or wants to start a water distribution company? Share this article with them!

Founder & CEO at The Business Plan Shop Ltd

Guillaume Le Brouster is a seasoned entrepreneur and financier.

Guillaume has been an entrepreneur for more than a decade and has first-hand experience of starting, running, and growing a successful business.

Prior to being a business owner, Guillaume worked in investment banking and private equity, where he spent most of his time creating complex financial forecasts, writing business plans, and analysing financial statements to make financing and investment decisions.

Guillaume holds a Master's Degree in Finance from ESCP Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Business & Management from Paris Dauphine University.

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Sample Bottled Water Production Business Plan

Bottled water company business plan sample.

Starting a commercial bottling business is an excellent way to make money as an entrepreneur.

Commercial bottling business is one business that most entrepreneurs overlook because the business is not as popular as the poultry, tailoring, or home decoration business.

Most entrepreneurs want to venture into businesses already making news, not knowing that silent business ideas make the most money in the marketplace.

If you are an entrepreneur with cash to start a business but have not decided on business yet, I would advise you to go through this content before deciding.

You can start or franchise a commercial bottling business quickly as you know the company’s A-Z. The task is simple as it involves repeating the same thing daily. It is not capital-intensive too.

For a bottled water production company, a business plan is an essential document that is needed to direct the business through its daily, monthly, and yearly goals and objectives.

Here is a sample business plan for starting a bottled water company business.

• Bottle caps
• Wash System
• Bottling equipment

So, how do you go about starting a commercial bottling business? Here are the steps required to create a retail bottling business.

• Draw a Business Plan

This is the first thing you will need to do to make your business run smoothly. You will need to state the company’s mission and vision as well as goals and objectives.

To get started, you will need bottles; typically, bottles come in different sizes and shapes.

You will need to decide in your business plan the size and shape of the bottle you will want to operate within your business. How much will be required to start, operational capital, target market, etc.

Suppose  you don’t know how to prepare a well-detailed business pla. In that case, you can use the service of a business consultant as they are experienced in creating a business plan for any business.

Aside from your business plan acting as a guide, it can also be used to request a loan from banks in case you might need a loan in the future. So, you will need to invest in a good business plan, so you don’t get denied.

Take your time to research the business to ensure that your bottling business plan is comprehensive and lacks nothing.

• Register the Business

You should know the importance of registering a business name so that I won’t be deliberating on it too much.

Running a commercial bottling business means working with brands ranging from beverage and pharmaceutical to alcoholic companies.

Getting a business name and registering it so these companies know you can be trusted and ready for business will be very necessary.

You will have to pick a business name that has not been used before and visit the official office in your city and get it registered. It is not expensive so you should do it. It would help if you even did it before drawing your business plan.

Your location is significant for business success.

The location should be convenient for your suppliers and distributors. It should be a vast place as wherever you choose must meet your country’s Food and Drugs Administration laws.

You must always have a separate bottling room for washing and sanitizing the bottles with self-closing doors and tight construction. Before choosing a location and structure for your bottling company, you should be familiar with the authorized agency laws.

The reason is the bottles will be used to package contents that will likely go into our stomachs. So, if the bottles are not hygienic enough, they can cause health damage to consumers, which is what they are protecting.

• Get the Bottling Equipment

You can’t do the washing and sanitize with your hands; it must be done with a commercial washer. If you know you won’t be able to afford one, you can seek a loan from any financial institution.

However, local bottling companies use warm water to wash and sterilize their bottles.

But, the downside is prolonged because you will need to soak the bottles for at least 30 minutes in warm water before bringing them out to rinse and dry. Imagine having thousands of bottles to wash and sterilize.

• Promotion and Marketing

Once you have identified your target customers, study their expectations, and create a marketing strategy on how you can meet their needs. Television, magazines, or newspapers are the best mediums to market your business.

These are the materials your potential customers subscribe to. They may not see your advert on social media as they may not be the ones handling their account.

But, promoting your business in business magazines or papers is likely to convert effectively.

How to Start a Bottled Water Production Business

As there is a growing need for diversity within the economy, there are a lot of untapped business opportunities that an entrepreneur could continuously tap from, and bottled water production is one of those businesses in China and Winnipeg.

Water is essential to life and is just one of the commodities humans cannot do without. This gives it a very high potential for success as there is a ready-made market for the business any day.

The growing world population has also made the bottled water production business highly lucrative.

And it is exciting to note that there is a plan by the Federal Government to ban the production plants and lines of sachet water. This will increase the demand for bottled water.

Although this may not necessarily lead to an increase in the price of bottled water, supply will go up, leading to healthy competition, so the cost of bulk-order bottled water will surely come down.

Investing in normal and flavored bottled water production is one of the best decisions for an entrepreneur.

3 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD START A BOTTLED WATER PRODUCTION COMPANY

1. Water is always in demand: Water is indispensable and essential to life. So there will always be a demand for it and judging by the present attitude of the government to the supply of potable water to the masses, the only available alternative is to get from other private suppliers, so there will always be a total demand for bottled water.

2. Government Plans to Protect the Environment: There is a plan by the government to reduce the effect of non-degrading items such as nylon on the environment.

And as we all know, sachet water is packaged in nylons, so bottled water demand will spring up with the ban on these non-environmental friendly nylons. 3. High-profit margin: Water, the primary raw material for complete production, is readily available through many sources.

An open borehole is enough, and there will be an ample supply of water, which will be sold at a very high turnover rate after the bottled water process.

BASIC THINGS REQUIRED TO START A BOTTLED WATER COMPANY

1. FEASIBILITY STUDY: Before an entrepreneur can successfully start a bottled water production company off the ground, he needs to get the requirements for the business, which can be done through adequate research.

It is well advised to consult an expert to assist in starting a bottling water company.

Your research will determine the type of bottled water to produce, the variety of markets you will target, and the pricing of your products.

2. BOTTLE SUPPLIERS: This is very much vital in the production of bottled water. An entrepreneur will need an excellent and reliable supplier of these bottles as the show has to be continual; a single hitch might significantly affect revenue.

3. SOURCE OF WATER: An excellent water source is also essential to the business’s success. Depending on the location, one can get the head from springs or sink boreholes or even get supplies from the state water corporation.

4. FACTORY EQUIPMENT: These are essential in production as water must be treated and processed before bottling.

Water bottling plants for treatment, filtering, filling machines, conveyors, sterilizers, bottle loaders, dispensing machines, and sealers will be required. These can be acquired in different grades depending on the financial capacity of the entrepreneur.

5. STORAGE TANKS: These are also essential in production. Water from the source, be it a borehole or any other source, will need to be stored in the tank before transference to the water treatment plants for processing. 6. GOVERNMENT APPROVAL: It is also important to note that Government approval through the appropriate agencies is also essential to acquire before you can even start bottled water production.

7. LOCATION: This is as well essential to production.

Your location must be close to the water supply and your market. The environment of your site should be well-hygienic enough not to contaminate your water source.

And the terrain as well should be well considered; it has to be smooth to allow for easy passage of vehicles around the water factory and transportation of products to the market.

CHALLENGES OF WATER PRODUCTION COMPANY

1. Starting up a business to produce bottled water is capital intensive and will also need a flow of investment funds starting from the launch to when the company breaks even. So it will be advisable to have enough funds to cater to the company’s requirements before even considering starting up.

2. Cost of maintenance of bottled water equipment is relatively high

3. The inadequate power supply is also a significant limitation to the success of your bottled water business in South Africa, Kenya, India, and other parts of the world. Although alternative power sources could be utilized, this will lead to additional costs.

4. It is also quite stressful to get approvals from the government as there are some conditions you will have to meet before you are granted the license to operate.

5. There is also a seasonal effect on the bottled water market as there is less demand for water during wet/rainy seasons because people consume less water during these periods.

BOTTLED WATER COMPANY BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

To get funding or acquire loans, a well-laid-out business plan is necessary.

If you want to start a bottled water plant business but have no idea how to write a comprehensive and engaging business plan, this article is just for you, as it provides an adequate sample to work with.

With the example provided, it is strongly believed that you will be on your way to writing a perfect bottled mineral water company business plan by diligently following the steps .

– Executive Summary – Products and Services – Our Vision – Our Mission – Target Market – Market Analysis/Trends – Our Competitive Advantage – Our Sales and Marketing Strategy – Publicity and Advertising – Payment Options – Startup Funding

Executive Summary

Due to the dwindling consumer confidence in municipal water supply channels, there has been a growing interest and patronage for bottled water products.

This is good news for bottled water plant businesses as they have witnessed brisk firms with an increase in demand. Hygiene H2O is a bottled water company operating in Washington, DC, providing the best quality water to consumers at competitive prices.

Products and Services

The products and services to be provided by Hygiene H2O include tiring and selling water coolers for consumers who want to hire our water coolers or buy these coolers altogether.

We will produce the best quality water under the most hygienic conditions with close supervision of an effective quality control department operated by the best and most highly skilled workforce, who will monitor every aspect of production. Our Vision

Our vision at Hygiene H2O is to produce the most health-friendly products to the utmost satisfaction of our clients.

Apart from producing excellent and health-friendly products, we intend to have one of the best customer care services to ensure that our customers are treated to the best experience.

Also, we plan to expand production outlets in other states outside Washington, DC, to reach a broader consumer base.

Our Mission

Hygiene H2O will strive to update our products to meet the best industry standards continually. This is through improving product look and bottling style while maintaining our hygiene tradition.

Also, within the second year of our operations, we plan to start a distilled water department to produce purified water for laboratory and hospital use. Target Market

The target market is all-encompassing because every living human will continually need potable drinking water at various times of the day.

However, our main target will be the most mobile population segment who constantly move at the office, at the games, or just relaxing at the park.

These mobile segments of the population include participants within the corporate world, sportsmen/women, the military, shoppers, pedestrians, etc.

It is believed that due t work or schedule, thed they require refreshment through water intake.

Market Analysis/Trends

Market analysis has shown that there has been an increase in competition among bottled water businesses in the area of bottling and marketing.

Some bottled water businesses even have customized services for clients celebrating specific occasions, with the name and experience of the client written on the water bottles.

Some have gone beyond to ensure that their products and services meet environment-friendly guidelines, hence, winning the patronage of environment-conscious consumers.

Our Competitive Advantage

Due to the high competition within the bottled water industry, we have come up with innovations that will ensure that we stay afloat and thrive among our competition.

We will ensure we achieve this through the proper remuneration of our work staff, that will be carefully chosen and represent the very best in the bottled water industry.

Also, we will introduce flavored bottled water of assorted types to cater to those clients who might want their water to be flavored.

Our Sales and Marketing Strategy

Apart from having a mobile distribution unit of all the variants of our bottled water products, we will also enter into agreements with shopping malls, bars, department stores, eateries, restaurants, breweries, etc., for the sale and distribution of our products to achieve the broadest reach.

Publicity and Advertising

The publicity and advertisement of our products will be carried out through different channels, which will include the internet (use of social media and the creation of a company website), adverts through local radio and TV stations, fliers, word of mouth advertisement, the use of yellow pages to advertise our products and also mounting of billboards in areas known for high foot traffic.

Payment Options

Our customers will not have to worry about how to pay as we will be eliminating this problem through the provision of a variety of payment channels to ensure that they do not have to worry about how they will be billed.

The channels we will provide include POS, cash payments, receipt of cheques, mobile money transfers, etc. Startup Funding

Funding for this business will come through the following sources; savings that cover half of the required money for this startup.

Another source of funding will be through debt financing and will be accessed through a bank of high standing. This will cover the other half of the funds needed for starting this business.

This is a business plan sample , providing the basic requirements a good bottled water and mineral BUSINESS PLAN SAMPLE should contain.

Following the format laid down, you are sure to produce a sound bottled water production business plan that will reflect your business ideally and win you that loan you most desire.

BOTTLED MINERAL WATER BUSINESS PLAN EXAMPLE

Because of the importance of the business plan in starting any business, this article concentrates on providing a guide (sample) to any serious entrepreneur with little or no experience in writing a bottled mineral water business plan for free.

To ensure that the user gets the most benefit from this sample, the steps are written carefully under specific guidelines to enable the user to replicate these steps easily while brainstorming to come out with their unique business information.

It is believed that with the proper use of this, a good bottled water business plan will be written. We begin with the following guidelines;

– Executive Summary – Products and Services – Our Vision – Our Mission – Our Competitive Advantage – Payment Options – Sources of Revenue/Projection – Publicity and Advertisement Strategies – Distribution Strategy – Target Market

With water being a basic human necessity for existence, there has been a considerable investment in providing this basic necessity in different variants and packages.

Spring Mineral Water Inc. is not left out of the investments in the water industry.

Located in North Carolina , this company will provide carbonated mineral water, among other varieties of water products, including spring water and flavored water.

The production of our mineral water and other water products will be carried out under the strict supervision of a dedicated quality control unit to ensure that only the best products reach customers.

Spring Mineral Water Inc. has several water products that include mineral water, carbonated water, sparkling water, distilled water, and flavored water.

Also, apart from the products mentioned above, Spring Mineral Water Inc. will provide water for dispensers and provide extra services, which include delivering such products to their destinations which might be either public or private as the case may be.

This will be done at no extra cost to the customers. Outdoor services will be provided in sports arenas and other public places such as beaches,

Our Vision at Spring Mineral Water Inc is to build a unique brand synonymous with excellent products and services. Driven by a passion for hygiene, our bottled mineral products and other products we offer will comply with and meet all the regulatory standards set by the federal health regulatory body.

We have a mission of being among the top 5 mineral water brands within the state of North Carolina within the first five years of commencing business.

This will be driven by a well-motivated workforce that will share our values and highly experienced quality control and marketing units that will work together to ensure that our objectives and goals are attained quickly.

An advantage we have over our competitors is the strategy of ensuring that our workforce is fully motivated.

Because we know that a motivated workforce translates to a thriving business, we will ensure that the remuneration of our workforce is attractive and paid timely.

Other advantages we have include hiring the services of highly professional market strategists that will guide and coordinate our marketing unit.

A quality control unit will ensure that any attendant flaws are eliminated before products leave the production line.

We have designed several payment options to ensure that payment options for services do not limit our highly esteemed clients.

Hence we will be accepting several payment options such as POS, cash acceptance, payment through mobile banking, and receipt of cheques, as the need may arise.

With this innovation, our customers are not worried about how to pay for services, as they are fully covered.

Sources of Revenue/Projection

The sources of our revenue will come solely from the sales of our products and services.

Products such as mineral water, carbonated water, and sparkling water, among others, will be sold, and the proceeds realized will form the bulk of our revenue.

Our profits projection for the first three years of starting the business shows healthy growth. However, factors such as natural disasters, economic recession, etc., are discounted in arriving at this projection;

– First Year $110,000 – Second Year $255,000 – Third Year $575,000

Publicity and Advertisement Strategies

We will use a wide variety of advertisement strategies, including advertising on local radio and TV stations.

We will have mobile cold rooms that will supply these mineral water products for outdoor activities such as in sports arenas, areas with heavy foot traffic, and beaches and relaxation spots.

In addition, we will have a website address where clients can visit and place orders for supplies.

Distribution Strategy

The strategies to be used include entering into distribution partnerships with chain stores, department stores, and other water retail outlets further to distribute our bottled water to a broader customer base.

Target Market

Because water is essential to support life, our target market covers every segment of society, as no one can survive without water.

Hence, our target markets will include chief executives, celebrities, students, households, and every other segment of society not mentioned here.

This bottled mineral water business plan sample provides a template for the interested entrepreneur to work with.

All that is needed is to supply the entrepreneur’s unique business realities through a process of brainstorming on what is valid for their business.

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Water Purification Business Plan for Package Drinking Water

• Last Updated: November 7, 2023

• With a growing number of consumers, the water purification industry has opportunities for entrepreneurs to drive further growth.
• Starting a water purification business, your top priority should be recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, and counseling employees.
• Also, it is important to comply with regulations and invest in quality equipment to ensure the safety and purity of the water distribution.

Bottled water remains one of the leading commodities people consume worldwide.

According to estimates, the Bottled Water segment’s revenue in 2022 will reach $302.50 billion. The market is expected to grow annually by 8.03% between 2022-2026.

This is simply because bottled water is an essential amenity, so of course, efficient water service companies will never be out of demand. In fact, package drinking companies will generate per-person revenues of $39.74 in 2022. 

This article will be an excellent starting point to help you understand a water purification business plan . If you want to break into water purification services and achieve very healthy gross sales, read along.

Table of Content

• List of Water purification services
• Why to start a water purification business?
• Roles and responsibilities of Water Purification Business owner
• Water purification business plan template
• How to start a water purification business?
• Let Upper help you reach your client’s location on time

List of Water Purification Services

Creating ideas for a water purification business can take time and effort. You can refer to the list of services below if you are new to the industry and need clarification on what you can offer: 

• Bulk Purified water – Purified water typically comes from reverse osmosis, deionization, or a combination of these methods.
• Still bottled water – Bottled still water is the leading alternative to tap water. It comes in a range of mineral concentrations.
• Sparkling bottled water – Making sparkling water involves adding carbon dioxide. People often use it as a healthy alternative because it has fewer calories and less sugar than other sodas.
• Flavored bottled water – Flavoured water is a beverage with additional natural or artificial flavors, herbs, and sweeteners. Water purification is vital to provide safe drinking water for your community. 

Why to Start a Water Purification Business?

There are multiple reasons why water purification businesses are the need of the hour and why you must start one. 

As per Fortune Business Insights , the global water purifier market is set to grow from $30.62 billion in 2022 to $50.66 billion by 2029. So it’s a growing market, and you can ride the wave by starting your own business.

By 2026, 36% of spending and 9% of volume consumption in the Bottled Water segment will be attributable to out-of-home consumption. That tells us that your services will always be in high demand. 

Also, a growing number of consumers are concerned about their health and the environmental impacts of using untreated water from rivers or lakes. This is expected to drive further growth of the market for water purification services.

Roles and Responsibilities of Water Purification Business Owner

As a water purification business owner, here are your roles and responsibilities: 

• Your top priority is recruiting, selecting, orienting, training, and counseling managers. Communicate values, assign roles, develop strategies and define primary objectives, monitor results, and create incentives. 
• You’re also responsible for fixing your pricing strategy and signing business deals.
• Your employees will look up to you for providing direction to your water purification business.
• You also need to create, communicate, and implement the mission and vision statement of your organization.
• You’re the face of your organization, so you’ll sign the high-level documents.
• Finally, you’ll evaluate the success of your organization and be responsible for formulating profit-boosting strategies. As a small business owner, if you’re the one managing the water purification plant, these will be your added responsibilities: 
• You’ll oversee the smooth running of your water purification (industrial) plants. 
• As a water purification plant manager , you’ll need to ensure that all equipment is functional and focus on preventative maintenance and repairs.
• It’s your job to ensure that your plant meets the safety and hygiene standards at all times. 

Water Purification Business Plan Template

A well-defined plan relies on market research and stresses quality. It also helps you secure funding and start-up assets, fulfill an unsatisfied market need, attract customers, monitor start-up expenses, and prevents very expensive shut down. 

Here’s an elaborate water purification business plan template using which you can create your own business plan.

1. Executive and company summary 

This executive summary aims to summarise the critical points of this comprehensive business plan, saving you time and preparing you for the upcoming content.

An executive summary for a company includes:

• The business opportunity – describes the need for your services.
• Services – tell how your business will serve the market.
• The target market – represents the customer base you will be targeting.
• Business model – how your services create, deliver, and capture value.
• Marketing plan and sales strategy – describe how you will market and sell your products to a potentially unsatisfied market.
• Discuss your competition and how you plan to gain market share – how can you differentiate yourself from your competitors, i.e., what do you offer to customers that nobody else can?

2. Services offered 

The products and services section of your business plan should include a description of the products or services you are offering or plan to offer. 

You should explain how your products and services will be priced and compare the products.

Your product and service section outlines your product or service, why your market needs it, and how it will compete with other businesses selling similar products and services.

3. Market analysis 

Market analysis is about figuring out the needs of your target market, whether the existing products on the market meet those needs, and what competitors are doing to meet those needs.

You’ll also want to figure out how much people in your industry make per year, how fast the industry is growing or shrinking, and what kind of barriers exist for new players entering it, so you can decide if the environment is suitable for your business idea.

Essentially: Market analysis helps you determine if there’s an actual need for your product or service.

4. Human resources plan 

The importance of a solid human resources plan cannot be overstated, especially in specialized industry sectors. A business needs the right people to do the jobs, and you need a solid plan to hire the right talent.

A well-executed human resources business plan will help you attract and retain talent, which is essential for any company looking to grow.

5. Financial Plan 

A financial plan is not just a list of numbers and projections. It overviews your current business financials and the direction they are progressing in.

Your financial plan will help you set realistic expectations regarding the overall costs and success of your business. You are more likely to be prepared for any eventuality, whether a crisis or incredible growth if you know your financials inside and out.

6. Marketing strategy

Starting a business, ensuring quality service, and promoting operational efficiency are undoubtedly necessary. But you’ll struggle with reaching your ideal consumers if you don’t have actionable marketing and business strategies. To ensure your business thrives, create marketing strategies that increase brand visibility and keep bringing quality leads. 

How to Start a Water Purification Business? 

Follow these steps to start a water purification business: 

1. Use the business plan template for your water purification business

A comprehensive plan is essential for new water purification business owners. This plan should include all aspects of the company, including start-up costs, funding, and day-to-day operations. 

New business owners also need to be realistic about their goals and expectations. Finally, it’s essential to have a solid understanding of the competition.

Businesses with well-thought-out plans are more likely to succeed.

2. Form the legal entity

When starting your business, you must know what kind of liability exposure you want and your company goals. A sole proprietorship may be enough if you sell to limited consumers. 

But a corporate organization or LLC may be better if you want more protection or to grow the business.

3. Obtain permissions and business licenses

If you’re looking to start a new business, it’s important to remember that specific licenses and permits are required by law. However, this varies depending on the type of water purification business you’re looking to start and where your business will be located.

Contact your local business licensing office or chamber of commerce to find out which permits and licenses you need.

4. Purchase equipment

The most critical elements of starting a water purification business are equipment, tools, and supplies.

You’ll need some things for everyday use, like wrenches and screwdrivers, but you’ll also need more specialized items, like meters or pumps. And remember your safety equipment. You’ll want to ensure you have all the protection you need when working with chemicals or other hazardous materials. 

To ace this step, document everything you might need and research different suppliers that fulfill your requirements. You can also consider renting equipment you won’t regularly require; buying expensive equipment that you wouldn’t use frequently doesn’t make sense.

5. Market your services

Now that you’ve built your water purification business, it’s time to get it out there and start generating revenue. Your own sales force will prove most helpful here. Start with building a brand identity to stand apart from your competitors, reach monthly sales target, and keep sales growing gradually. This includes naming your business and creating a logo and color schemes to remain consistent across social media platforms. It is branding that helps you charge a premium price and stay afloat in economic downturn.

You can then work on creating a website for your business with all the details. Finally, it’s time to create a launch strategy for such a niche product—leverage word of mouth via friends and family, social media shout-outs, and influencer marketing. Advertising in local newspapers, paid ads on social media, yellow page ads (local directories), and more are also game changers for your high purity water business.

Let Upper Help You Reach Your Client’s Location on Time 

Now that you know how to create an elaborate business plan, let’s discuss how you’ll fulfill all your orders. 

With Upper’s route planning and optimization software , though, businesses like yours save 10 hours per week and get more deliveries done on time. You’ll get more done, and your customers will get all their fresh water right when needed.

With Upper, you’ll get the most efficient routes for your bottled water delivery.

• Your drivers can take advantage of the shortest routes as per specific constraints, driving preferences, time windows, and more, so you’ll always deliver on time.
• You can mark your shipments low, medium, or high as per priority. You can also add multiple stops and details such as service time, importance, or other notes for your drivers to manage their jobs better.
• Upper sends automatic notifications regarding the ETA of delivery to your customers to save your drivers from failed deliveries. It helps them get more deliveries done and ensures items safely reach the end customers.

Try the 7 days free trial today. 

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The water purifier will cost around $2,500. The cost of installing new plumbing lines and connections will be $195. Water softener treatment will cost $1,500. The total cost comes to around $4,195 approximately.

The 5 Types of Filters are as follows:

• Mechanical Filters.
• Absorption Filters.
• Sequestration Filters.
• Ion Exchange Filters.
• Reverse Osmosis Filters.

Water treatment steps often used in water systems include:

• Coagulation.
• Flocculation.
• Sedimentation.
• Filtration.
• Disinfection.

A purification plant is a water system that treats or improves water quality by complying with the state board of health standards. The purification plant can be a stand-alone facility or a portion of a more extensive system.

Conclusion 

Water purification for the bottled water industry is brimming with opportunities. The demand for convenience and high disposable income is driving the consumption of bottled water across the globe. However, you need a comprehensive plan for overall company success. A business plan will help you set realistic goals and expectations, and you can use this plan to get an edge over your competition.

To further grow your business, invest in robust route planning and scheduling software like Upper so that you can provide your services to your customers in time and ditch poor or slow servicing. Try the 7 days free trial today. 

Rakesh Patel, author of two defining books on reverse geotagging, is a trusted authority in routing and logistics. His innovative solutions at Upper Route Planner have simplified logistics for businesses across the board. A thought leader in the field, Rakesh's insights are shaping the future of modern-day logistics, making him your go-to expert for all things route optimization. Read more.

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Water Purification and Bottling Business Plan Template

Mar.14, 2022

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Table of Content

Water purification and bottling business plan for starting your own business

Bottled water is one commodity consumed in all parts of the world, and of course, those in the business of producing bottled water are known to generate sales all year round if the company is well-managed. The economic downturn hardly affects the consumption of bottled water simply because it is a commodity that is as important as the air we breathe.

Production companies in the bottled water industry purify bottled water into plastic and glass bottles for consumption. The process involves use of a comprehensive business plan for bottled water and detailed franchise business planning .

If you plan on having a water purification and bottling business of your own, here is a purified drinking water business plan developed for Aqua Dreams. If you are confused about how to start a packaged drinking water business, this plan will provide you with all the details you need to know before going forward with your startup idea. 

The business plan for Aqua Dreams is as detailed as a business plan for Starbucks . Hence it is assured that it will answer all your questions regarding how to start a purified water business.

Executive Summary

2.1 the business.

Aqua Dreams will be a licensed and standard bottled water production company situated in an industrial area in Orleans, Massachusetts. We have been able to secure a long-term lease for a facility in a strategic location with an option of a long-term renewal on agreed terms and conditions favorable to us. The reason behind this successful execution is a well-thought-out water purification and bottling business plan .

2.2 Management of water purification and bottling business

While taking an entrepreneurial initiative, it is essential to ensure that all aspects of your business are coherent. Hence, you must prepare a unique bottled water business plan that helps you seek sufficient funding. 

Having said that, while writing a bottled water business proposal, you must analyze all the available resources. If you intend to raise loans, you should also study some business plans for banks because the process of getting loans can be exhaustive. 

2.3 Customers of water purification and bottling business

While thinking of how to start water bottle business, you must understand who your target market is. Including this detail in your water purification business plan will help you in subsequent planning. The recurring customers of Aqua Dreams are identified as:

• Restaurants and Canteens
• Event Planners

2.4 Business Target

Our vision is to establish a standard bottled water Production Company whose products will be sold in Orleans – Massachusetts, and throughout the United States of America and  Canada . There would be no compromise on the quality of the product, and complete transparency would be offered concerning our filtering processes.

Company Summary

3.1 company owner.

Aaron Finch will be the owner of Aqua Dreams. Aaron has strong leadership and organizational skills that he acquired while working at different water filtration plants since 2009. He graduated with a major in resource management from the University of Texas and researched this field ever since. He identified a lack of efficient purification systems in existing firms in the market and hence felt the need to introduce an innovative bottling water business plan.

3.2 Why the water purification and bottling business is being started

The bottled water production industry is profitable, and it is open for any aspiring entrepreneur to come in and establish their business. Aaron thought of coming up with a packaged drinking water business plan so that he doesn’t miss on any important aspect.

3.3 How the water purification and bottling business will be started

Step1: Planning for the business

Before setting up your business, looking into all the available resources and planning your way forward is essential. It gives you an idea of the availability of human resources and capital. If you are adding farm-related aspects to your business, it would be beneficial to also read out farmers market business plan before making a business plan for your startup.

Step2: Get Recognized

The next step is to be recognized by defining your business’s services and values. Having the proper business structure is very important to us at Aqua Dreams. Besides, producing healthy, portable, and well-packaged bottled water, we aim to impart perfect customer care service.

Step3: Offices 

The cooperate office of Aqua Dreams will be located in the industrial zone of Orleans. It will be a feasible location since it would grant easy access to resources. Consequently, the cost of acquiring production factors would be low. The market trends in this water purification business plan pdf can help you strategically choose your corporate office’s location. 

Step4: Online Presence

Living in an age of social media and digitalization, having a web presence is imperative for a company’s success. The website for Aqua Dreams would entail the company’s purification and bottling methods to educate the consumers about the sustainable processes we use.

Step5: Marketing

The last step is developing and executing a marketing plan to promote your services. In your business plan for bottled water , you must add marketing strategies that you will be using to reach out to the target customers. For diverse and unique advertisement ideas, research is imperative. You may need to visit several business operational models such as a liquor store business plan to gain an insight into the expectations of your target market.

Services of water purification and bottling business

Ideas to start your own bottled water business can be daunting and confusing. If you are new to the business and are unaware of the facilities to offer, you can refer to the services available at Aqua Dreams mentioned below:

• Bulk Purified water

The most preferred processes used for the purification process are reverse osmosis, deionization, and distillation. Aqua Dreams will use reverse osmosis systems as they remove up to 99% of organic substances and ions from the water. This process is discussed in detail in our water purification plant business plan.

• Still bottled water

This type of bottled water is the most often used to replace tap water. It has varying levels of dissolved minerals and does not contain added carbonation. In this bottling water business plan, we will list how much sales of this product were expected in a period lasting three years.

• Sparkling bottled water

Sparkling water, also known as seltzer, soda, or tonic water, is infused with carbon dioxide to create tons of bubbles and fizziness. It is often used as a healthy substitute for sugary sodas and other beverages because it is lower in calories and sugar. We will offer different flavors of the product to meet the expectations of our customers.

• Flavored bottled water

Flavored water is a beverage with added natural or artificial flavors, herbs, and sweeteners. Aqua Dreams will offer different options to its customers for a wider target market.

If you are new to the industry and are thinking how to start a water bottling plant, it is recommended that you go through this water bottling business plan pdf and learn about the technicalities involved.

Marketing Analysis of water purification and bottling business

Excellent work.

excellent work, competent advice. Alex is very friendly, great communication. 100% I recommend CGS capital. Thank you so much for your hard work!

In this water bottling plant business plan, you will find a detailed marketing analysis conducted by Aqua Dreams. This is the perfect water purification business plan sample for your reference if you are confused about how to start a water purification business.

5.1 Market Trends

Research conducted by IBIS World shows that the level of concentration in the purified drinking water business is modest in the USA. The top four players are expected to generate 65.5 percent of revenue. The industry is responsible for the employment of well over 14,360 people. Experts project the bottled water production industry to grow at a 4.0 percent annual rate.

5.2 Marketing Segmentation

While analyzing how to start a water purification business, you must investigate your target audience. Market segmentation is vital to understanding the scope of your filtered water business. If you don’t know who you will be interacting with, you can refer to the customer groups of Aqua Dreams mentioned below:

Business plan for investors

5.2.1 hotels.

The minibars you see in your hotel rooms are usually stocked with bottled water of all kinds, let it be still, sparkling, or flavored. Hence, Aqua Dreams will be supplying bottled water to different hotels on a contractual basis. Since they place large orders, their revenue would be the main reason behind the success of our water purification business. 

5.2.2 Restaurants 

Since sparkling water is also often used in cocktails and other drinks to create a fizzy sensation, restaurants in the city will be the primary customer group for this specific product for Aqua Dreams. Our products will also assist them with their purification systems installed in the kitchens.

5.2.3 Event Planners

Nowadays, instead of serving water in glasses, it is preferred to offer bottled water to the guests. Hence event planners are expected to procure bottled water from us and provide it to the customers they are dealing with.

5.2.4 Retailers

Carbonated and fizzy drinks are loved by almost everyone these days, which can be bad for their health. Our flavored water, supplied to retailers nationwide is relatively less unhealthy and therefore we expect to have great sales of it.

5.3 Business Target

• Start a bottled water delivery service based on a courier services business plan
• Have a customer satisfaction score of 93%
• Capture 30% market share within the first year of business
• Install two new purification plants in the next five years of operations 

5.4 Product Pricing

Our prices will conform to what is obtainable in the industry. We have put in place those business strategies that will help us run on low profits for six months.

Marketing Strategy of water purification and bottling business

Regardless of whether you are thinking of having a bottled water company business plan or a water purifying business plan, you need to have an effective marketing strategy. It would help you stand out amidst competition and capture market share. 

Aqua Dreams will use a robust set of marketing and sales strategies mentioned in this water bottle business plan pdf. Hence it would be helpful for you to read it thoroughly if you are wondering how to start a packaged drinking water business.

6.1 Competitive Analysis

• The services at Aqua Dreams would be supervised by water purification experts who have insights worth 5+ years of experience.
• Sustainable practices such as environmentally friendly purification systems will be employed at Aqua Dreams.
• Calorie Check will be done thoroughly in our flavored bottled water.
• The introductory prices offered by Aqua Dreams would be lower than the market rates without compromising on the quality of services.

6.2 Sales Strategy

• Introduce our bottled water by sending introductory letters to hotels, water merchants, and restaurants.
• Advertise in local directories.
• Use social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram for sponsored ads.

6.3 Sales Monthly

6.4 sales yearly, 6.5 sales forecast, personnel plan of water purification and bottling business.

The average cost involved in a bottled water production water business plan is similar to that in a donut shop business plan .

It is important to account for different kinds of costs to forecast financial returns accordingly. These costs also include the salaries of employees at the purification plants. To give you an idea of average salaries in the market, the salaries of our employees are quoted in this purified water business plan.

7.1 Company Staff

While thinking of water business ideas, the following are the positions you would essentially recruit for:

• 1 Plant Manager
• 1 Operations Manager
• 5 Production Assistants
• 1 Marketing Officer
• 3 Delivery Drivers
• 1 QA Engineer

7.2 Average Salary of Employees

Financial plan of water purification and bottling business.

A sole focus on increasing sales does not ensure that your business has become successful. For generating profits, you need to do a thorough analysis of your water company profile and estimate the operations’ capacity for your business accordingly.

In your financial plan, you must identify when and how to cover your investment amount with the earned profits. Moreover, you should evaluate the business projections and ratios to assess how the financial trajectory of your enterprise will go in the coming years. These assessments are important to highlight in your business plan for a water purification plant because they help investors decide whether to fund your bottled water startup or not. Besides, they help you direct your efforts to achieve your business goals.

If you don’t know how to conduct a financial analysis, you can refer to this water bottle business plan pdf.

Here we’re providing a business plan used by Aqua Dreams for you to use as a reference.

8.1 Important Assumptions

8.2 break-even analysis, 8.3 projected profit and loss, 8.3.1 profit monthly, 8.3.2 profit yearly, 8.3.3 gross margin monthly, 8.3.4 gross margin yearly, 8.4 projected cash flow, 8.5 projected balance sheet, 8.6 business ratios.

• Is water bottling a profitable business?

A bottled water plant is profitable, provided a strategic business plan is in place. The average bottled water profit margin ranges between 25-30% for small and medium-scale water plants. It can be as high as 60% for large bottle production. Hence, the question “is bottled water business profitable” really depends on your scale of operations and management.

• How do I start a water purification business?

You can make a business plan and execute it in a set time frame. The most common mistake made when starting a new business is neglecting to write up a business plan. A good purified water business plan establishes a framework and a roadmap for your water purification business. If you try starting a bottled water business without a well-defined plan, your venture might not get successful.

• Is packaged drinking water business profitable?

The profit margin in the mineral water business is highly dependent on your products and location. This business can be profitable if you research what is in demand in the market and come with up unique sales ideas to let your customers know about you.

• How much does it cost to manufacture a bottle of water?

The cost of manufacturing a bottle of water differs from business to business based on the technology that is being used. Moreover, the scale and production level will also affect the cost incurred during manufacturing.

To get an idea of how you can cut costs, you can see a butcher shop business plan . It is generally assumed that mass production leads to lower manufacturing costs and in turn prices.

Download Water Purification and Bottling Business Plan Template in pdf

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Water Purification Business Plan

Start your own water purification business plan

H2O Industries

Executive summary executive summary is a brief introduction to your business plan. it describes your business, the problem that it solves, your target market, and financial highlights.">.

H20 Industries, Inc. (H20 Industries) provides the service of ion exchange portable tanks. This is the process of purifying water for industrial purposes. H20 Industries will take advantage of an unsatisfied market need for segregated resin regeneration on a portable basis. The company will primarily focus its marketing strategies on offering segregated regeneration services to the untapped market of customers who require high-quality regeneration for their deionized (DI) water treatment facilities. The facility that H20 Industries will utilize is located in Newark, California and is already in limited production. Full production will begin at the end of September, with sales growing gradually to near capacity by the end of the first year, with very healthy gross sales in the first year, and increasing in the second and third years.

1.1 Objectives

The primary objectives are:

• To segment the market for portable regeneration service by stressing H20 Industries’s capability at providing segregated regeneration. The goal is to reach monthly sales of 1,710 cu ft of segregated resin by the end of the first year.
• To build up a dealership network of 15 knowledgeable and efficient water service companies who will represent H20 Industries in areas outside direct sales from the factory.
• To set up a bulk regeneration facility with a capacity of 40 cu ft daily, and sell its full capacity in the large general portable exchange service market through its own sales force, and through a dealership network.

1.2 Mission

H20 Industries’s mission is to segment the market for pure water by providing niche products to specialized industry sectors who are otherwise not properly serviced by large pure water suppliers. Segregating a customer’s H20 Industries resin and regenerating it on a portable tank basis to hospital dialysis units is an excellent example of such a niche product that stresses quality and service to users who are prepared to pay a premium price.

1.3 Keys to Success

H20 Industries’s primary keys to success are:

• Good quality control in the factory . Customers for high purity water business have a very low tolerance threshold for flaws.
• Fast response . In the case of most of H20 Industries’s customers, the cost of the water is not a major element in their over-all costs, but a very expensive shut-down could result due to poor or slow servicing.
• High-profile allegiances . Key to over-all company success is connected closely with success in achieving the goal of developing a dealership network of service-oriented water companies.

Company Summary company overview ) is an overview of the most important points about your company—your history, management team, location, mission statement and legal structure.">

H20 Industries took over a customer base and a small quantity of assets from a predecessor company. By moving to a new location with more space, and by designing an efficient productive capability, H20 Industries will be ready to aggressively penetrate the growing market for portable DI exchange by October 1999.

2.1 Company Ownership

H20 Industries was established in October 1998 through the purchase of the assets of Commercial Waters Systems, Inc. (CWSI). CWSI was an under-capitalized, cash flow-starved DI exchange tank service provider. Three hundred sixty of the shares of H20 Industries are owned by David R. Smith, vice president sales and applications of PROSYS, a large manufacturer and system designer of water treatment equipment. Five hundred sixty of the shares are owned by John Jones who is regional sales manager for DUFF. The remaining 200 shares are currently held by the daughter of the seller, but are expected to soon be transferred to the new owners.

Additional investors have expressed a willingness to invest. This would help bring in needed administrative expertise, while also increasing the equity base.

2.2 Start-up Summary

Assets of a former operating company were bought out and customers of the former company continue to be serviced by the purchasing company, H20 Industries, partly from continuing operations and partly from farming regeneration work out. However, this plan is being written as a start-up primarily because there are no reliable financial figures for prior years for comparison purposes, and partly because of the move to new facilities and the sizable investment in new plant and equipment involved. Due to certain misrepresentations by the seller, the agreed sales price is under protest. It is expected that the matter will be satisfactorily resolved by payment of a much reduced amount.

The chart and table below summarize the start-up requirements for H20 Industries.

2.3 Company Locations and Facilities

The facilities are located in a rented building on an industrial estate in Newark, California.

A description of the technology involved in the production can be found in section 3.5 (Technology). The following is a description of the production layout.

• City water is fed into the building and goes directly to a carbon filter tank to remove organic materials and chlorine.
• A centrifugal pump is installed, in the unlikely event that city water pressure falls below 40 pounds per square inch (psi).
• A hot water boiler is provided to supply hot water (100 degrees F) from part of the incoming city water. This water is needed for anion treatment due to the specific gravity of the caustic material.
• The heated water then passes through a cation and an anion filter tank.
• The deionized hot water goes to the caustic tank where it mixes with the caustic material used to regenerate at the anion pad.
• Part of the unheated incoming city water is deionized by passage through similar cation and anion tanks. These tanks, as well as the tanks deionizing the heated in-coming water, are regenerated automatically at night when production is shut down.
• Water, not H20 Industries, is used at the spent tank staging area to empty the incoming tanks into the separation cones, and more water (H20 Industries) goes to the cation regeneration pad for use in adduction as well as flushing of the regenerate.
• The rinse water, as well as the acid and caustic solutions, now pass into an 8,000-gallon blue tank where, with the help of compressed air for mixing, neutralization takes place to obtain the allowed Ph level.
• A 500-gallon neutralization tank and a 250-gallon polishing tank are provided prior to disposal of the waste water into the city sewer system.

Products and Services

The company is in the water purification business. H20 Industries is engaged in a specific branch of this business called “Service deionization.” Within this branch, the company plans to emphasize a further service specialization known as “segregated regeneration,” as opposed to “bulk regeneration.” This concept is explained in the following sections.

3.1 Product and Service Description

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The service products offered by H20 Industries are segregated as well as bulk regeneration of portable H20 Industries exchange tanks. The service is offered in three tank sizes of 3.6, 2.5, and 1.4 cubic feet (cu ft). In these sizes, the company will offer:

• Mixed bed (combination of anion and cation regenerated resin)
• Cation regenerated resin
• Anion regenerated resin
• Carbon (used for pre-filtering)

The application of portable deionized water is broad. Practically all industries using water in processing are potential accounts. Size of company is rarely a determining factor. There are applications in electronics and high pressure boilers where flow rates of several hundred gallons per minute are provided by portable exchange systems. The main unique benefits are:

• The client does not have to incur substantial capital costs to install an in-house deionization plant. This could run over $50,000. The company can merely rent the portable tanks (or buy them for approximately $1,200 each) and pay for the regeneration service when the tanks become depleted.
• The company also saves by not needing experienced technicians to maintain an in-house plant.
• Space is another important factor. An in-house H20 Industries capability requires a great deal of space, whereas a portable tank system using flexible hose connections can fit virtually anywhere in minimal space.
• Ease of installation. H20 Industries capability can be arranged virtually in a day and can be easily expanded to accommodate growth.
• There are no chemicals, nor regenerate waste to be handled or concerned with on-site..
• Flexibility in water quality provided. Resin types can be easily changed in tanks if water quality requirements change.
• Even locations that have their own in-house H20 Industries system often use portable DI as a back-up since a shut down can be very expensive.

Providing the service to a customer is simple, usually requiring only minimal equipment. H20 Industries is available from a large competitor, US Filter and a few small competitors, such as Fluid Solutions of Lowell, MA. However, none of the competition can provide segregated regeneration (See Competitive Analysis below).

3.2 Competitive Comparison

In the Northern California area, outside of a small company in Lowell which has to farm out its regeneration business to a “DI” company in Nevada, Simply Clean in Oregon, and a couple of independent Culligan agents, there is only the very large, fully-integrated US Filter (owner of Culligan) to compete with. This company, by virtue of its size and involvement in all fields of water treatment, is not suited to satisfying small users of DI, nor are they able to respond to niche needs. For example, US Filter cannot handle segregated resin. All resin treated by US Filter is regenerated on a bulk basis, which means that various customers’ depleted resin tanks are combined. This is not a problem for many users of DI, but the dialysis department of a hospital might well object to their resin being co-mingled with resin used in the metal plating industry. H20 Industries plans to specialize in portable segregated resin service. US Filter can try to service customers with a desire for segregated DI by promising to always supply tanks with new resin, however, there are technical problems with this.

US Filter’s prices for cation and anion regeneration are $31.25/cu ft and mixed bed $43.05/cu ft. H20 Industries’s prices for the same bulk regeneration are $32 and $43, respectively. The primary market thrust of H20 Industries’s sales will be the segregated regeneration which US Filter does not offer. This product sells at a premium ($57/cu ft and $63/cu ft, respectively). Some small players in the market offer regenerated resin (not segregated) in a price range of $63 to $80 per cu ft (mixed bed).

3.3 Sales Literature

Sales literature will be written and printed. A provision for this has been made in the projected sales and marketing expenses.

3.4 Fulfillment

The service provided by H20 Industries is the regeneration of ion exchange portable tanks. The tanks themselves are supplied to customers on either a monthly rental basis or offered for sale. These tanks, and any other hardware, are readily available from a number of suppliers. By virtue of the owners’ long involvement in the industry, they are fully knowledgeable of existing sources for all hardware, including resin, as well as the supply of the two major chemicals used in the process of regeneration. The only other variable cost of production is the salt used in the brine bath, this is also readily available from a number of suppliers.

3.5 Technology

Ion exchange is a major means of purifying water for industrial purposes. The degree of purity depends on the source of the water and it’s use. Companies, ranging from car washes to the pharmaceutical and semiconductor industries all need various amounts and degrees of purified water. Ion exchange is a chemical process by which ions, or ionic substances that are considered “undesirable” in water, are reduced or removed from water by use of ion exchangers or resins. Most ground water contains unwanted dissolved substances, such as calcium and magnesium, whose molecular structure contain charged ion particles.

The most common impurities with ions of a positive charge are: sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese. These are called cations.  The unwanted dissolved substances having negative ion charges, known as anions, are: bicarbonate, chloride, carbonate, sulfate, nitrate, and bisilicate. When a substance separates into ions, each ion is now able to combine with another ion with opposite charge, even if that ion is from a totally different type of molecule. Substances only separate into ions when immersed in water molecules. For example, a molecule of hydrochloric acid is made up of a hydrogen atom and a chloride atom. Hydrochloric acid (HCL), when immersed in water, will split apart into one positively charged hydrogen cation (H+) and one negatively charged chloride anion (CL-). If sodium hydroxide (NaOH) were added to this solution, the NaOH would split into Na+ and OH-, which would combine with the opposite charges of the hydrochloric acid ions to form sodium chloride, better known as “table salt” (Na+CL-) and leftover hydrogen and hydroxide atoms (H+OH-). The field of deionization, known as DI for short, utilizes this natural phenomenon by designing a cation exchange resin which will substitute hydrogen atoms (H+) for virtually all of the other cations, and designing an anion exchange resin which will substitute hydroxyl ions (OH-) for virtually all of the other anions. By means of this process we end up with only H+ and OH- which is equivalent to H2O (water). By forming this demineralized water, we create water which is no longer a conductor. We can measure the purity using an ohm meter. Ohms measure resistance. The higher the ohm count, the lower the conductivity. H20 Industries is routinely formed to 18 mega ohms per centimeter, which is very close to zero conductivity (18.23 at 25 degrees Centigrade). Without giving lengthy chemical explanations, what happens in the process is as follows:

• City tap water is first passed through a carbon filter to remove chlorine, sand, and other unwanted substances. Sometimes, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet light are used to remove non-ionized substances, organic materials, etc., prior to the deionization stage.
• The water then passes into a specially-treated cation resin. This resin takes the form of small beads located inside a tank. The positively charged ions from the unwanted dissolved minerals will attach themselves to the resin. This happens because the resin contains an over-equilibrium abundance of hydrogen ions (H+) which are “bumped off” of the resin beads and replaced by the positively-charged, unwanted, in-coming cation ions. The “bumped off” free hydrogen ions then pair up with anions which are left in the water to form acids.
• The “de-cationized” water then passes to a tank of anion resin to catch the unwanted negatively charged ions that have dissolved in the water. Here, the anions and the anion portions of the acids attached to the hydrogen are attracted to, and held by, the positive sites on the anion exchange resin beads. They do this by kicking off the negative hydroxyl ions that were put on the beads (again in over-abundance). The leftover hydrogen portions of the acids (H+) now join the freed hydroxyl ions (OH-) to form water (H2O).
• If a very high degree of purity is called for, the water will next pass into what is called a “mixed bed” which normally contains resin in a ratio of one part cation resin to two to three parts anion. Steps 1-3 occur again here thus catching the last traces of unwanted ions of the dissolved substances.
• The tanks of resin will continue to purify the water flowing through them until the resin balls expand and their capacity to catch ions is depleted.
• The water flow must stop until the tanks are replaced with tanks containing regenerated resin.
• To regenerate the cation resin, a solution of acid is used to bombard the resin removing all the previously-caught positively-charged ions. Then the tank is flushed to remove any excess acid. The anion resin tank is also given a caustic solution to bombard the previously-caught negative ions. The anion resin is then flushed to remove any residual caustic solution.
• The tanks now contain regenerated resin and the ion exchange process can continue with the tap water turned on.

The regeneration process can take place at the location where the water is being purified, however, most users of H20 Industries do not install the expensive equipment to do this but simply arrange for a service provider, such as H20 Industries, to replace the tanks and perform the regeneration process off-site.

As high-tech industries, such as electronics, communications, and pharmaceuticals, continue to grow, there will almost certainly be increasing use of deionization technology and deionized water. As instrumentation and analysis procedures improve, controlling and monitoring the deionization process will be easier and more efficient, and this will, undoubtedly, help create new uses for deionization that have not yet appeared, as well as make H20 Industries more affordable to sectors now using other methods of purification. As more people in the water treatment industry become familiar with the DI process, the industry for H20 Industries and equipment will benefit.

3.6 Future Products and Services

In addition to bulk and segregated portable H20 Industries, the company plans to expand sales of filters and DI cartridges. These sales have been disregarded in this business plan, but they could become more significant in the future. These products lend themselves to mail order type sales, as they are small and lightweight. Cartridges are disposable items. H20 Industries also has plans to develop a reusable shipping container for its smallest (8″ x 18″) DI exchange tank so that this can also be shipped via UPS. This product will be marketed on a website, as well as through conventional direct mail and yellow page advertising.

In the future, a logical off-shoot of the DI business is reverse osmosis (R/O) used in conjunction with DI exchange tanks. The inclusion of R/O in front of the DI tanks will extend the capacity of an exchange tank by 1000%. This addition to the product line could become a substantial element of total company sales.

Reverse osmosis and electric reversing deionization are beginning to compete with exchange tank DI technology. H20 Industries plans to offer service contracts to maintain this equipment at the customer’s location. This equipment may to either sold or leased.

Market Analysis Summary how to do a market analysis for your business plan.">

The total market in Northern California for H20 Industries is between 670,000 and 925,000 cu ft of resin annually. H20 Industries’s total productive capacity will be only 36,400 cubic feet, or 3.9-5.4%. Since H20 Industries will have the unique capability of performing segregated regeneration, which is of special interest to the medical industry (dialysis, labs and pharmaceutical), the company will emphasize sales efforts in this segment for high purity H20 Industries. This segment is estimated at 167,000 cu ft annually. Next in terms of marketing emphasis will be the electronic (223,000 cu ft) and machine tool industries.

4.1 Market Segmentation

The market for H20 Industries encompasses many industries, and within them there is a wide range of purity needs. At the low end, a car wash might use H20 Industries in the final rinse only. Their need for purity might be only .5 Megohms (Ohms measure resistance). Water is only a good conductor because of the quantity of dissolved solids in the water. As the ion exchange process lowers the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) the resistance, measured in ohms, increases.

A purity level of .5 Megohms is pure enough for a car wash final rinse cycle, but not even close to pure enough for a electronics wafer manufacturer. They would need 18 Megohms, at which point the water would be pure and incapable of acting as a conductor. Generally speaking, those sectors of the market that need the highest levels of purity are the customers for H20 Industries’s main niche product of segregated DI exchange service. This means that the resin coming back from the customer is never mixed with any other company’s resin. This is a very strong sales feature when dealing with dialysis units of a hospital, labs and pharmaceutical manufacturers, and electronics makers. These customers are happy to pay a premium over the price charged for bulk DI regeneration service because they do not want their resin co-mingled with resin coming from a metal plater or a car wash.

Quantifying the market for segregated portable H20 Industries is not easy. Unlike the market for used cars, metal furniture, or nearly every product one can think of, there are no readily-available statistics on the market for portable DI exchange. There is overwhelming agreement that US Filter has the commanding market share of DI exchange business, opinions range from 85 to 95% majority.

According to the publisher of ULTRAPURE WATER®, (May-June 1999 volume 16, number 5) US Filter had sales of $1 billion in 1990, and has grown to $5 billion in 1999. Portable DI exchange is only a small portion of their business. Sales in Northern California of only DI portable exchange is estimated at $25 million. This has been confirmed from several sources. Firstly, one of the owners of H20 Industries is a former employee of US Filter. In 1996, their DI exchange business reached $12 million. This was only 65% of the market. Then the company acquired Culligan, adding another $8 million in portable DI exchange business in Northern California, and bringing the total to $20 million. It is assumed that sales have grown to $25 million over the past several years.

The relationship between input water and DI exchange capacity is charted. Assuming in-coming water quality of 200 parts per million of TDS in the far left column, a 3.6 cu. ft tank of regenerated resin can handle 10,800 gallons. This means that an average user with a flow rate of 10 gallons per minute would use up a 3.6 cu ft tank in 2.57 days, or 1.4 cu ft per day. Assuming the salesman was accurate in his statement of 2,000 customers, this would work out to 840,000 cu ft of regenerated portable DI exchange business per year. This figure is somewhat greater than the figure of 610,000, however, the subject of this business plan, H20 Industries, will have a productive capacity of only 140 cu ft per day, which represents between 4.5% and 6.3% of the total market in Northern California.

Taking the midpoint estimate for the total Northern California market of 780,000 cu ft annually, these high purity users would represent a market 558,000 cu ft

Hospital Dialysis Units and Stand alone Clinics:

California lists 16 stand-alone dialysis clinics, many of whom have multiple locations with varying numbers of stations. Every dialysis clinic, as least in Michigan according to BESCO, use H20 Industries for polishing, after initially running the water through a reverse osmosis system. Hospitals also have dialysis units. In addition, there is blood analysis work which is normally done using “wet” analysis equipment that requires H20 Industries. Assume this sector represents only 10% of the high purity market, or 55,000 cu ft annually.

Labs and pharmaceutical Manufacturers:

A list of labs and pharmaceutical makers in Northern California contains 330 names. A sample calling indicated that some use no pure water, others use such small qualities (10 gals/months) that they buy the water from suppliers like Hubbard-Hall, already made up. Others use so much H20 Industries that they have their own built-in DI system. The rest who have flow rate needs of between one and 20 gallons per minute are in the range most economically serviced by portable DI exchange. Assume this to represent 20% of the 558,000, or 112,000 cu ft.

Electronic Manufacturers:

Semiconductor manufacturers and other makers of electronic components need pure water to flush with. As microprocessors use wafers of ever-decreasing size, the requirements for pure water to rinse with increase, as do various other additional micro filtering. A list of electronics manufacturers in Northern California names 189 makers. Assume this sector represents 40% of 558,000, or 223,000 cu ft.

Machine Tools and Parts:

This is one of the fasting growing sectors as more and more manufacturers conform to the ISO 9000 standard, which requires delivered parts to be clean (defined as rinsed thoroughly with water of one Megohm purity or better). This category includes a need for H20 Industries in machines consuming cutting oil, any machine with cooling systems, and other uses. Assume this sector represents 30% of 558,000, or 167,000 cu ft.

This sector of the market will represent the market for DI exchange water lower than one Megohm in purity. Assume that the following industries take up the remaining 30% of the total market. Some industries that would be included in this “other” category would be:

• Car washes need H20 Industries for the final rinse
• Food and beverage industry would use it for improving taste and texture of baked goods, cutting and blending alcoholic beverages, dissolving food colors, etc.
• Cosmetics industry needs it for the production of shampoo, liquid soaps, cold creams, hand lotions, nail polish remover, permanent waving solutions, rubbing alcohol, and hydrogen peroxide.
• Electroplating industry utilizes H20 Industries in anodizing, electro-tinning, rinsing, rust proofing, and actual plating with various metals such as nickel, copper, silver, and chromium.
• Ceramics industry requires it to control pH in preparation of slips and glazes, rinsing clay pieces, producing enamel.
• Textile industry uses H20 Industries insteam irons and other steaming equipment, humidification systems, as well as rinsing, dying and bleaching processes.
• Railroad industry for high pressure boilers, cooling systems and storage batteries and for many applications where steam is used)
• Others, such as applications for grinding optical lenses, silvering solutions for mirrors, manufacturers of blueprint paper, manufacturers of ice, humidification of gas supplies to superchargers of high speed aeronautical engines, growing orchids, etc.

The chart and table below summarize the total market potential for the DI exchange services in Northern California.

4.2 Target Market Segment Strategy

The target markets that will receive the most attention will be the sectors which require the highest levels of pure water. This means the 70% of the market that wants quality of one Megohm or better. Within this sector, quantified as 558,000 cu ft annually, H20 Industries will emphasize those users wanting the top echelon of purity (18 Megohms).This sector of the market might be only one third of the 558,000, but even at one third (186,000), it totals more than 300% of H20 Industries’s total capacity, including its bulk portion.

4.2.1 Market Trends

One notable trend in industries is to out-source. Chief financial officers analyze the costs of producing something in-house versus the costs of farming it out. Water purification is no exception. Although many large users of H20 Industries will want to set up their own in-house capacity, the capital costs, the maintenance costs, and the costs of dealing with regenerate waste often make DI portable exchange a more economical solution. Down-sizing within a company with its own pure water manufacturing capability often will lead to a management decision to shut down their in-house plant and switch over to portable service.

Another trend is for more and more industries to need higher degrees of purity in their manufacturing process, which results in an ever-growing market for H20 Industries.

4.2.2 Market Needs

The reasoning behind the attention to the highest purity sector of the market is that H20 Industries is able to provide segregated DI exchange service. A customer’s in-coming tanks for regeneration are tagged, and after regeneration, the same resin is returned to the customer. This specialized service is a major selling feature over US Filter, who must co-mingle customers’ resin in a bulk regenerating facility. Also, bulk regeneration will not achieve the same deionization capacity as H20 Industries’s segregated method which utilizes more chemicals and longer regeneration times. A customer dealing with blood can easily be sold on segregated resin as he would not feel comfortable that his resin would be co-mingled with resin used in a totally different industry.

In addition to the feature mentioned above, H20 Industries will concentrate on those customers who place a premium on response speed and intensity of service. Again, mainly the higher quality users of H20 Industries exchange, where a shut-down would be very expensive, will demand the highest degree of quality available. Segregated exchange service from a smaller supplier is much more likely to satisfy than a huge conglomerate like US Filter where portable exchange can only be done on a bulk batching basis and represents only a small part of their overall business.

4.2.3 Market Growth

The market growth percentages used in the market analysis table were obtained from various articles appearing in ULTRAPURE WATER®, the definitive journal of high-purity water. Specific articles can be located from an index on their website, www.talloaks.com/.

4.3 Service Business Analysis

The industry for providing portable H20 Industries service is dominated by one very large company–US Filter. US Filter controls between 90 to 95% of the H20 Industries service business in Northern California. The company has grown from $1 billion to over $5 billion in the past six years, primarily through an acquisition binge. The company is now finalizing its sale to Vivendi’s Generale des Eaux water subsidiary which will result in combined sales of $12 billion, making it the largest water business in the world. Originally, US Filter’s primary focus was industrial and high purity water. Its acquisitions in other areas include drinking water, waste water, municipal water, and water supply.

Now, less than 20% of its activities relate to technologies and markets connected with high purity water. A much smaller percentage is connected with H20 Industries, and a still-smaller percentage concerned with DI exchange service. After their merger, the percentage will drop even further from 20% to eight percent. This situation has resulted in a growing dissatisfaction with US Filter’s services for H20 Industries exchange. Both owners of this project have been hearing complaints from US Filter customers for quite some time. This is not just a condition evident in Northern California, other sections of the country have noticed it and competitors to US Filter’s DI exchange business have started to grow.

4.3.1 Competition and Buying Patterns

Users of H20 Industries have had little choice in regards to their provider. It is regenerated on a bulk basis only, with no option for segregated regenerated resin (see section on Market Segmentation). Some small customers have obtained the DI exchange service through their local Culligan man or similar water serviceman who in turn obtains it from US Filter. The fact that some small players in the market can capture some of this DI exchange business from US Filter despite a higher price ($63-$80 per cu ft versus $40 per cu ft from US Filter) is a good indication of the importance that service plays in the buying decision. Rarely does the price of H20 Industries represent a significant variable production cost in a manufacturing process. Much more of a factor is worry about quality level and service response time.

4.3.2 Main Competitors

In reaction to the service complaints of customers for US Filter’s DI exchange, a couple of small competitors have sprung up in Northern California. Fluid Solutions in Lowell is one such company. This company has been supplying customers with H20 Industries exchange although they have no regeneration facilities of their own. They merely service the customers and send the tanks to a regeneration facility of another DI exchange company in Pennsylvania.

The prices charged by all local companies to regenerate are between $63 and $80 per cu ft for mixed bed. They charge $20 to $30, depending on tank size, as a monthly rental charge.

The market in Northern California is ripe for growth in competitors to US Filter which does not provide segregated regeneration and whose regenerated resin, on a bulk batch basis, will not serve as high a flow rate as non-bulk regeneration.

4.3.3 Business Participants

Industry participants are varied, as there are several means of obtaining purified water. There are companies which design and engineer reverse osmosis equipment. This equipment has a sizable share of the water market at the end close to the municipal water inlet. Reverse osmosis (R/O), in conjunction with carbon filtering and ultraviolet light, is used (for example in dialysis) to bring the TDS down to a lower level. Ion exchange, either fixed or portable, is then used to polish away the remaining impurities. Other companies may supply e-cell equipment which deionizes electrically. This technology has not advanced sufficiently to compete with traditional H20 Industries but is still occasionally sold in conjunction with a R/O system as the e-cell can only handle small levels of TDS. Some industry participants are primarily engaged in water softening and water filtration for drinking and household purposes. These companies may also utilize green sand to remove iron and magnesium hardness derived from aging municipal piping systems.

In short, there is a full range of industry participants from the local Culligan service representative mainly involved in private households, to large companies involved in engineering, design, consulting, component manufacturing, waste water treatment, etc. With respect to the narrower market for H20 Industries, there are chemical companies who supply (by the gallon) H20 Industries to very small users. There are a few small companies engaged in DI exchange service who do this only as an adjunct to their main business, such as water softening, and who only act as a distributor of DI exchange regeneration facilities located outside of Northern California.

Strategy and Implementation Summary

Besides direct sales effort to large users of H20 Industries, a major element of the company’s marketing efforts will be to develop a distributor network through existing local water service companies. These companies provide local water service to small companies and homes throughout Northern California. Most of their business takes the form of water filtering, water softening, reverse osmosis maintenance, swimming pool service, etc. The best of these will be recruited to add H20 Industries service to their product line.

5.1 Value Proposition

H20 Industries will offer segregated resin regeneration to customers wanting the highest levels of water purity. Segregated regeneration is not offered by any other company in Northern California and indications are, based on present pre-start-up sales, that users of H20 Industries are willing to pay a substantial premium for it. It represents a form of peace of mind which dialysis units, laboratories, etc. feel is important.

The second most important value proposition is service response. When H20 Industries tanks need changing customers insist on, and will receive, an immediate response.

5.2 Competitive Edge

H20 Industries’s ability to segregate a customer’s resin and return it to him regenerated to the maximum limit, should put the company in a strong competitive position.

Approximately all of H20 Industries’s business will be directed at the portable service DI market. This market emphasis should quickly be noticed by users of H20 Industries, who at present rely on US Filter. US Filter’s product range growth through acquisition and buy-outs has de-emphasized the importance of its H20 Industries exchange service.

Hence, the two major aspects of the firm’s competitive advantage would be high quality segregated resin regeneration and fast service response. It will be important to stress these advantages in the sales literature.

5.3 Marketing Strategy

H20 Industries’s marketing strategy will be to execute and communicate its value proposition of service and market segmentation advantage in providing segregated regeneration of customers’ resin.

5.3.1 Distribution Strategy

Wherever H20 Industries cannot economically sell directly, due to distance or quantities, it will utilize a network of water service companies. These companies will be carefully chosen for their quality of service. An arrangement will be set up whereby the distributor will offer DI exchange service along with its other water services. The installations can easily be handled by them. They would tag the tanks and return and pick up from the H20 Industries plant. Being able to offer this service increases the image of the local water service company. It fosters a feeling a one-stop shopping. A 33% discount off the retail price should be adequate to satisfy the distributors.

5.3.2 Positioning Statement

H20 Industries’s ability to regenerate resin on a segregated basis, rather than only bulk, is a capability that should provide quick and easy entry into the user market where the highest water purity is needed. These users, blood analysis, hemodialysis units, and medical laboratories for example, are especially sensitive to contamination risks. Simply pointing out to these users that bulk regeneration involves the co-mingling of their resin with resin used in the metal-finishing and car wash industries usually is quite convincing. Segregated regeneration results in the further advantage of achieving a higher DI capacity per cubic foot as greater quantities of chemicals are used during a longer regeneration period.

The second most important position statement is H20 Industries’s concentration on the DI exchange business. This concentration will force H20 Industries to provide a higher level of service, and more quickly, too. It must be remembered that the cost for H20 Industries in the market for the highest level of water purity is not a significant cost element in the overall cost structure. However, a service shutdown, for quality or for service reasons, would be very costly to high technology users of H20 Industries.

5.3.3 Pricing Strategy

In line with the conclusions drawn in the positioning statements, H20 Industries can charge a higher price for its segregated regenerated resin. There is virtually no competition for this product in the Northern California market.

Charging $63 per cubic foot (mixed bed), as used in the sales projections, is more than a 65% increase over the price for US Filter’s bulk resin price for mixed bed. H20 Industries is currently successfully charging in excess of $70 for this product. It is essential that H20 Industries place a premium price consistent with its superior product.

Wholesale prices have been established to encourage the quick formation of a dealership network. Dealers are afforded a 33% discount.

5.3.4 Promotion Strategy

The main focus of promotion will be two-pronged: promotion to H20 Industries end users, and promotion to wholesalers.

Promotion to wholesalers should receive primary stress due to the extended reach made possible by the wholesaler network with its existing customer base. The sales force of these wholesale distributors needs to be educated on H20 Industries’s positioning statement so that they all understand the important sales advantages of segregated resin. Being able to offer DI exchange service to a distributor’s customer list is a great advantage to the distributor, and this fact needs to be clearly spelled out to them. Therefore, the H20 Industries relationship with a dealership network is one in which both sides benefit.

H20 Industries should strive to create a small-town, friendly relationship with its customers. Company brochures will show a map with all the H20 Industries locations, including each newly acquired distributor. The distributor trucks, as well as H20 Industries vehicles, would carry the H20 Industries logo, helping all to achieve name recognition. Cost savings would result through sharing literature, leads (by territory and/or industry), co-op marketing costs, and the sharing of technical expertise.

Direct marketing to customers within easy reach of H20 Industries should stress service. As a major supplier of resin stated: “US Filter is a huge concern that closes down at 5 P.M. on Friday.” Customers for H20 Industries need to feel that they can get service after hours, and even on a Saturday if need be. These customers feel much more comfortable dealing with an exchange service that is closer in size to the customer, and where the exchange service is an important portion of total sales revenue of the supplier. Prompt deliveries, trouble-free installations, good technical advise, etc. are main building blocks of the promotion strategy.

5.4 Sales Strategy

The sales strategy is to concentrate on that segment of the market most easily captured by the following sales feature: segregated regeneration of portable resin. In addition, the fastest way to reach the sales goal for the first several years is by actively working to develop a dealership network for H20 Industries.

5.4.1 Sales Forecast

Sales Projections:

Sales (July 1999) are running at less than 15% capacity monthly, exclusive of rental revenue. This approximates 285 cubic ft per month. The plant capacity will be 100 cu ft per day, on a one-shift basis. Based on the potential market outlined in the Marketing Section of this plan, growth in sales of regenerated segregated resin should reach 433 cu ft per month by October (equals 20 cu ft/day) which is this plan’s starting point, and growing steadily each month until 80 cu ft per day is reached (80% capacity) by the end of the first year. Total production of segregated resin is assumed to be split into equal quantities of anion, cation, and mixed bed.

Once the 80% capacity utilization level is reached (October 2000), unit sales will grow modestly in year two and year three. This growth can be achieved within the capacity limits of 100 cu ft daily (26,000 cu ft per annum) without increases in production labor. Further increases in segregated regeneration would require overtime labor charges. Also, for the projection purposes, direct unit costs for years two and three remain at the level of year one.

The bulk regeneration pad will have a capacity of 20 cu ft and can handle two batches during an eight-hour shift, totaling 40 cu ft/day. We will assume sales for bulk regeneration will grow at the rate of 5 cu ft/day in the first month reaching capacity of 40 cu ft/day after eight months. Sales are split between mixed bed (50%), 25% anion, and 25% cation. Sales of bulk resin will grow 15% each of the first three years. As the bulk regeneration, unlike the segregated regeneration, is not labor intensive, this 15% growth can be achieved without increases in production labor.

In projecting unit prices per ten cu ft. Prices will be assumed at:

• $630/10 cu ft for mixed bed (segregated)
• $570/10 cu ft for anion or cation (segregated)
• $430/10 cu ft for mixed bed (bulk)
• $320/10 cu ft for cation or anion (bulk)

The above prices will be reduced for dealers who will deliver and pick up at the factory to:

• $422/10 cu ft for mixed bed (segregated)
• $382/10 cu ft for anion or cation (segregated)
• $288/10 cu ft for mixed bed (bulk)
• $215/10 cu ft for cation or anion (bulk)

We will assume that 50% of all sales will go through dealers, so the unit price weighted average of the retail and dealer prices will be:

• $526/10 cu ft for mixed bed (segregated)
• $476/10 cu ft for anion or cation (segregated)
• $359/10 cu ft for mixed bed (bulk)
• $267.50/10 cu ft for cation or anion (bulk)

Variable Unit Costs:

The costs connected with one cubic foot of segregated anion treatment involve the cost of:

• City water.
• City sewer disposal.
• Cost of carbon filtering and converting city water to H20 Industries.
• Cost of heating water.
• Cost of Sodium Hydroxide.

Cost of replacing small amounts of lost resin.

• City water is supplied by Newark, at $2.70 per 100 cu ft, which works out to (7.48 gallons in one cubic foot) $0.0036 per gallon. It requires one gallon per minute for 45 minutes to regenerate one cubic foot of anion, which comes to 45 gallons. The slow rinse needs one gallon/minute for 20 minutes, and the fast rinse needs five gallons/min for 40 minutes. This comes to 220 gallons. Finally, testing takes another 12.5 gallons. Total water consumption per cubic foot of anion resin is 277.5 gallons, or $1.00.
• All water used eventually passes to the sewer which is metered at $2.45 per 100 cubic feet or $0.0032 per gallon. Cost per cubic foot of anion serviced is $0.91.
• Cost of carbon filtering and converting city surface-sourced water to H20 Industries is arrived at by assuming that one cu ft of regenerated resin has the capability of producing sufficient H20 Industries to regenerate five cu ft of spent resin. The costs of regenerating one cu ft of anion resin without H20 Industries costs are approximately $8.96. Dividing this amount by five comes to approximately $1.80 for the H20 Industries per gallon of anion resin serviced.
• Gas to heat incoming city water (average temp 40 degrees) up to 100 degrees goes by a formula (8.34 X number of gallons X temp rise) or 500.4 BTU’s per gallon. 277.5 gallons would need 138,610 BTU’s which, when divided by 104,000 BTU’s per thermal unit, comes to 1.3352 therms. One therm (assume G41 rate class) is billed at $.81 by Essexgas, so 1.3352 therms will cost $1.08.
• Sodium hydroxide is a caustic chemical supplied in a 55-gallon drum containing 50% solution. The regeneration process requires one drum to regenerate 12 anion tanks of each two cu ft. Therefore, one cubic foot of anion requires 2.2917 gallons, or .04167, of a drum. One 55-gallon drum costs $80.50 (Hubbard-Hall Inc.). Cost per cubic foot of anion servicing is $3.35.

Experience indicates that with each regeneration it is necessary to replace approximately two percent of the resin. Anion resin costs $130 per cu ft. Cost is $2.60 per cu ft of anion serviced.

Summary of Anion servicing costs:

• City Water: $1.00
• City Sewer: $0.91
• Carbon filtering and DI: $1.80.
• Gas to heat water: $1.08
• Sodium Hydroxide: $3.35
• Resin replacement: $2.60

Total for anion servicing: $10.74

The costs connected with servicing one cubic foot of segregated cation treatment involve the cost of:

• Cost of heating water (not needed for cation treatment).
• Cost of Hydrochloric acid.
• City water is supplied by Newark at $2.70 per 100 cubic feet which works out to (7.48 gallons in one cubic foot) $0.0036 per gallon. It requires one gallon per minute for 20 minutes to regenerate one cubic foot of cation, which comes to 20 gallons. The slow rinse needs one gallon/minute for 20 minutes, and the fast rinse needs five gallons/minute for 30 minutes. This comes to 170 gallons. Finally, testing takes another 12.5 gallons. Total water consumption per cubic foot of cation resin is 202.5 gallons, or $0.73.
• All water used eventually passes to the sewer, which is metered at $2.45 per 100 cubic feet, or $0.0032 per gallon. Cost per cubic foot of anion serviced is $0.66.
• Cost of carbon filtering and converting city water to H20 Industries is estimated at $1.46 per cu ft of cation serviced based on experience that one cu ft of regenerated cation resin has the ability to produce enough H20 Industries to regenerate five cu ft of cation resin. ($7.32 divided by five equals $1.46)
• No cost to heat water.
• Hydrochloric acid is supplied in 55-gallon drums containing 30% solution. The regeneration process requires two drums to regenerate 12 tanks of each two cubic feet, using an eight to ten percent solution. Therefore, one cubic foot of cation requires 4.6 gallons or .08363 of a drum. One 55 gallon drum costs $63.70 (Hubbard-Hall Inc.). Cost per cubic foot of anion servicing is $5.33.

Experience indicates that in the process of regeneration about 2% of the resin needs to be replaced. Cation resin costs $30 per cu ft. Cost is $.60 per cu ft of cation serviced.

Summary of Cation servicing costs:

• Resin replacement: $0.60.

Total: $8.78 for cation servicing.

Costs of servicing one cubic foot of mixed bed:

A mixed bed tank is more time-consuming as it requires a separation stage prior to regeneration. City water (not DI) is mixed with salt. This solution is used to bathe the anion and cation resin in a cone until the two resins separate, at which point the cation and anion are treated in the regeneration stage in the same manner as the single bed anion and cation. One mixed bed contains twice as much anion as cation. This aspect results in a weighted cost of $10.09 per cu ft Salt consumption: every cubic foot of mixed bed needs 1.5 cu ft of brine solution. There are 7.48 gallons per cu ft This comes to 11 gallons of brine needs. A 22% salt solution in this quantity of water would amount to amount two pounds. Salt is supplied by Hubbard-Hall Inc. at $.095 per pound. Adding the cost of the two pounds of salt to the weighted average cost of $10.09 comes to $10.28.

Total cost of mixed bed serving: $10.28 per cu ft.

• Bulk Regeneration Variable costs:
• Water. According to the spec sheet, 2,459 gallons are needed for 20 cu ft of mixed bed. At $0.0036 per gallon, this comes to $8.87, or $0.444 per cu ft of resin serviced.
• Sewer. Assuming all the water goes down the sewer with a minimal need for balancing chemicals, at $0.0032 per gallon, this comes to $0.4027 per cu ft of resin serviced.
• Per cu ft of mixed bed. $1.39 of acid and $1.10 of caustic soda.
• Salt. $0.07 per cu ft.
• H20 Industries and filtering/softening assume the same costs as in the production of segregated resin (i.e. $1.80 for anion and $1.46 for cation).
• Loss of resin. Assume two percent. At $130 for anion and $30 per cu ft of cation (ratio 2:3 cation to anion), a blended cost of $90 at two percent comes to $1.80 per cu ft.
• Heat for water. 3.2 therm at $.081 divided by 20 cu ft comes to $0.13 per cu ft.
• Total bulk mixed bed: $6.95, or $69.50 for 10 cu ft.

Tank Rental Income:

Because of the high costs of purchasing tanks, many new customers opt for renting tanks on a monthly basis. For purposes of these projections we will assume that:

• Dealership-generated sales resulting in tank rentals will be handled by them (i.e. ignored in these projections).
• Half of all directly-generated sales will involve rental tanks (i.e. total unit sales for October amount to 534 cu ft of which half will be dealer-generated. Total direct sales in October = 267 cu ft of which half (133 cu ft) will need rental tanks.
• Assume, for simplification of projections, all rentals will be in 12 inch tanks holding 3.6 cu ft with rental price of $40 per tank. October will see rental income of $1,480 (133 cu ft divided by 3.6 cu ft/tank times $40 rental per tank).

Tank Sales:

It is assumed that those customers who do not opt to rent their tanks will already have their own tanks or will purchase tanks from H20 Industries. Sales of tanks is assumed at only five percent of the number of monthly rental tanks. Sales price is $1,200. Cost equals $450.

5.5 Strategic Alliances

The relationship between dealerships and H20 Industries could be called a strategic alliance. These water service companies have an extensive customer base. Most of the customers have needs such as water softening, filtration, reverse osmosis maintenance, swimming pool maintenance, etc., however, many dealership customers have H20 Industries needs as well. At present, these water service companies must direct their customers to US Filter or supply the customer through US Filter. Forming a relationship between H20 Industries and these dealerships would quickly result in substantial sales increases for H20 Industries and would result in increased prestige and profits for the dealerships.

Management Summary management summary will include information about who's on your team and why they're the right people for the job, as well as your future hiring plans.">

The management of H20 Industries is made up of individual shareholders with extensive expertise in the water treatment industry, as well as commercial and financial background.

6.1 Management Team

The management team is uniquely qualified to implement this business plan. The founders, John Jones and Dave Smith, have been active in the water treatment industry for years. John’s experience working with dealers in application engineering and sales has prepared him well to present the H20 Industries dealership to water service companies that he already knows. His years of calling on dealerships in all aspects of the water industry have allowed him a birds-eye view of the prevailing marketing and business practices.

Dave has been involved in the manufacturing sector of the water industry and is well respected and connected there. His training and certification as a Professional Engineer give him an advantage when consulting with customers and prospective customers.

The person planned for the position of general manager has wide-ranging experience in finance and manufacturing. He is a former vice president of Chase Manhattan Bank, team leader of a development bank (Saudi Industrial Development Fund), and founder/general manager of a factory which, after 10 years of profitable operations, was bought out in 1989.

The production manager is a chemical engineer by education and professional experience, and has demonstrated his know-how by successfully managing the production activity in the factory despite the challenges presented by the present incomplete production line.

6.2 Personnel Plan

Regeneration Personnel : A production manager must be a skilled chemical engineer with experience in water treatment applications. This person must be a hands-on individual supervising two assistants. The production manager will label the tanks as they are received to assure customer segregation and supervise the proper regeneration cycle, from separation through backwash, draw, flush, mix, and testing. The assistants will primarily be kept busy moving tanks from one stage in the regeneration cycle to the next, connecting the hosing, performing the chemical mix and draw according to the instructions of the production manager, adding salt to the brine tank, etc. The production manager is in place. One assistant is now in place. A second is needed.

An engineer/fitter is also needed to maintain the equipment and to make installations. This person is in place.

Sales and Marketing Personnel : It is planned that both owners will continue to maintain their present positions. These sales positions require them to move about the territory which provides an excellent source of knowledge of customers for H20 Industries. This information will be communicated to the sales and marketing manager who will spend his time calling and visiting potential H20 Industries users. He will be paid a base salary plus commissions. The commission will be higher for landing a new customer, and lower for repeat sales. The commission schedule will be constructed in such a way as to permit an annual total compensation that will encourage excellent sales results.

General and Administrative : An office manager is needed. Answering phones, primary contact with customers, incoming and outgoing mail, etc. He will be the main connection between the owners and the operations of the facility. Within six months, a part-time assistant will need to be added to keep pace with bookkeeping and management.

Delivery Personnel : One driver, who has additional responsibilities, is now in place. A second will need to be added after approximately four months.

Financial Plan investor-ready personnel plan .">

As of August 1999, stockholder equity stood at $112,000. Additional infusion of equity from new shareholders will boost the equity capital.

To complete the necessary planned additions to plant and equipment, a 5-year term loan will be required from a financial institution. The projected cash-flow is sufficient to repay this loan in quarterly installments. This term loan should be sufficient to cover the increases in accounts receivable, as well as to support growth in inventory of rental tanks.

7.1 Important Assumptions

Tax rate reflects the present sliding scale:

• $0 to $50,000 @ 15% Federal, plus 9.5% State tax
• $50 to $75,000 @ 25%
• $75 to $100,000 @ 34%
• $100 to $335,000 @ 39%
• $335,000 and up @ 34%

Inventory Turnover:

Since this is a service business, the only inventory is that of chemicals and some resin, both of which do not need to be stored more than two weeks. Average is one week (inventory turnover rate of 48).

7.2 Break-even Analysis

The following table and chart show the Monthly Units and Monthly Revenue Break-even calculations based on the Average Per-Unit Revenue, Average Per-Unit Variable Costs and the Estimated Monthly Fixed Costs, as drawn from the other financial tables in this plan.

7.3 Projected Profit and Loss

The following table and charts give the yearly projected profit and loss statement for H20 Industries. For a monthly analysis, please see attached appendix.

7.4 Projected Cash Flow

Cash Flow is an intrinsic projection for H20 Industries. We must maintain a suitable cash balance in the bank in order to be successful. The chart and table below outline our basic cash flow assumptions.

7.5 Projected Balance Sheet

The projected balance sheet for H20 Industries is presented below.

7.6 Business Ratios

The following table gives standard business ratios for the water treatment equipment manufacturer industry, as determined by the Standard Industry Classification (SIC) Index code 3589. The last column, Industry Profile, presents specific information and important ratios for this industry.

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Starting Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF)

The bottled water business industry has been steadily growing all across the world. This is due to a plethora of reasons which vary from place to place. For instance, big beverage companies have diversified into bottled water as one of their products over the years. Due to their wide reach it means bottled water has increasingly become more available than ever before. In some parts of the world the surge in mineral water businesses has been triggered by lack of access to clean and reliable water. Thus for drinking purposes or other related uses people there now prefer to use bottled water. Another interesting factor is global warming which has seen temperatures getting much higher in most parts of the world. This has resulted in the increased demand for commercially produced mineral water. Bottled water offers convenience and tends to taste better. Plus there is general perception that bottled water is safer. That is why starting a bottled water business can pay off immensely. All this is meant to show you that starting a bottled water business is a noble idea. This article will outline how to start a bottled water business, and the bottled water business plan (PDF, Word & Excel).

Market Research

The most important aspect you will look at here is finding out about existing players to draw insights from them. The market for bottled water is usually available anywhere but it is important to know of any competitors beforehand. Your focus will be to learn how they conduct their businesses paying particular attention to scale of operation, water sources, processing methods, target clients, pricing, marketing approaches and so on. Knowing these things will be central to your ultimate unique selling point. Things like packaging and pricing can put you over your competitors if well considered. As much as many players already exist and more are entering the bottled water business field, there is always a market segment that is unattended or insufficiently attended. Thus it essential to have a detailed mineral water business before you start.

Location, Premises And Equipment

In your choice of location of the purified water business, there are some considerations that you should make. Since any bottled water business entails the need to have a seamless distribution framework, it is a factor to consider. This means you must chose a location connected to strategic road networks for easy accessibility to clients and suppliers and the ultimate distribution of the bottled water. How secure is the location you are choosing – that is another important factor to consider. What about availability of water supply? Proximity to prospective clients, suppliers and human resources is also very vital. The mineral water business plan should include the costs of purchasing or leasing the premises.

The core thing you must work on from the onset is a water treatment plant. Some of the basic inclusions are bottling machines, filling machines, purification and treatment machines, labelling machines and a water source eg a borehole. The specific equipment you need will depend on the water purification methods you are going to use for your business. For example if you decide to purify water using reverse osmosis, that means you will require reverse osmosis machinery. Water storage tanks are also required. The costs of all the equipment should be catered for in your purified water business plan.

Types Of Bottled Water

There are different types of bottled water. In fact, there is still an evolution that is leading to the emergence of new types of bottled water. Your bottled water business plan should outline the type of water you are selling.

Mineral Water

This is water comprising of substantial amounts of dissolved minerals. Some of those minerals are calcium, sodium, and magnesium. Typically the water would have also gone through certain processes such as aeration or filtration. Note that there are strictly no chemical processes involved here. This water would have been sourced from some underground source. There must be ascertained and provable pollution-free qualities regarding the source. Most importantly, the water must have certain stipulated minerals in certain prescribed concentrations. That is what can earn it the label of ‘mineral water’.

Spring Water

This is water that would have been sourced from a spring. It is important to note that most of what is termed spring water is not from springs. It is usually a marketing gimmick and the water is often just tap water. Thus if you are going to sell spring water it must truly be from a spring. People often use ‘mineral water’ and ‘spring water’ interchangeably. This is because there are some similarities. Often time the distinction is that spring water is specifically sourced from a spring.

Purified Water

This is water that would have undergone a number of purification processes. These purification processes will be meant to get rid of chemical and solid contaminants. The original source of the water can be tap water or ground water. The common purification processes involved are filtration, reverse osmosis, and distillation, amongst others.

Sparkling Water

This can also be called soda water; it is also known as carbonated water. When you drink it feels as if you are drinking a fizzy drink. That is why some call it fizzy water. It is also commonly known as club soda. Sparkling water is a result of infusing water with carbon dioxide under pressure.

Flavoured Water

This is water that would have had natural or artificial flavors added to it. The flavors can be added as one or as a blend of several flavors. They are usually fruit flavors e.g. lemon, lime, orange, raspberry, mint, and blackberry, amongst others.

Staff And Management

This depends on the scale of operations and level of sophistication of your purified water business. Anything from 6 employees going up will do for a small-scale factory. The idea is there are pertinent areas that needed to be manned e.g. management, production, financial management, sales, distribution, and housekeeping amongst other areas. Your bottled water business plan should cater for the wages and employees of all your employees.

Customer Segmentation

Primary usage.

Customer segmentation for the bottled water production business is informed by several variables. For example, the primary usage of the bottled water can give an idea. Bottled water can be for everyday use, it can be sporting use, or it can be travel. These examples translate into customers segments with specific needs or preferences.

Type Of Bottled Water

Customer segments are also a function of the type of bottled water in question. For instance, in many places the most consumed type of bottled water is purified water. Consumption dynamics for the different types of bottled water helps you understand the customer segments.

Distribution Channel

People purchase their bottled water from different outlets. Maybe they purchase from supermarkets or shops. Zoning in on one you can know whether or not they buy in bulk. There will be much to learn about customer segments by looking into the various distribution channels.

Marketing Plan

Bottled water is the easiest to market. You just have to ensure your bottled water is properly branded. The best marketing strategy is to get your bottled water in front of as many people as possible. Avail it to commercial buildings, have it used at all sorts of events. You can target hospitality and catering outlets. Target wellness and fitness centres. Sporting events are also a strategic focus. Find ways to sell your purified water there or promote it through those locations. Sponsor worthy causes by donating free bottled water. Have it sold in supermarkets and shops. Consider traders especially street vendors, where applicable. These people can push your mineral water brand faster, far, and wide. In principle, have a wide distribution network so that people see your bottled water brand everywhere. Consider working with social media influencers and even celebrities if possible. Build a website and have active social media accounts to publicize your bottled water brand. Leverage on print and electronic media as well. A proper marketing strategy should be included in your bottled water business plan.

Approaches For Bottled Water Business

Regarding bottled water there two types of service providers, namely, large-scale and small or medium scale. The large scale ones tend to be companies already established like Coca Cola as an example. This can be an approach to take i.e. starting large-scale but this is not a smart move because it is costly. Most preferably you must start small or medium scale by targeting reasonably-sized markets e.g. small towns. Then depending on the performance of the bottled water business you scale up operations in due course. In order to push sales there is a unique strategy one can use for their bottled water. You can always have an eye out for big events such entertainment or corporate events. You go ahead and pitch up an idea to supply them with custom-labelled bottled water. Many people will jump onto that since it would give an exclusive flare to an event. In terms of sales you can also enter working agreements with big clients such as food outlets, hospitality spots (e.g. hotels, spars) and so on. This will be strategic in that you guarantee a steady and consistent flow of repeat purchases.

Do not be hesitant to start a mineral water business because it is not that difficult to start one. The demand for bottled water is very high and will always be so you can always carve out your own niche. Just adhere to strict codes of quality assurance and integrity – do not be one of those frauds who package unsafe water as bottled water yet it is neither treated nor purified. It is wise to take insurance cover and to make sure you have all the required certification or licenses that might be mandatory. Find out about this from local authorities, health inspection boards, environmental agencies and the like. Packaging and pricing are crucial but to top it off you must have a robust and active marketing strategy using all available channels.

Pre-Written Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel): Comprehensive Version, Short Funding/Bank Loan Version and Automated Financial Statements

For an in-depth analysis of the bottled water manufacturing business, we encourage you to purchase our well-researched and comprehensive bottled water business plan. We introduced the business plans after discovering that many were venturing into the purified water business without enough knowledge and understanding of how to run the business, lack of understanding of the financial side of the business, lack of understanding of : the industry, the risks involved , costs and profitability of the business; which often leads to disastrous losses.

The StartupBiz Global mineral water business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run your water bottling plant business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. This is a complete business plan for a packaged water business. It will be easier to plan and budget as you will be aware of all the costs involved in setting up and running the purified water business.

Uses of the Mineral Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The bottled water business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your bottled water business
• As a mineral water business proposal
• Assessing profitability of the bottled water business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

Contents of the Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

The business plan for purified water includes, but not limited to:

• Marketing Strategy
• Financial Statements (monthly cash flow projections, income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortization)
• Industry Analysis
• Market Analysis
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some people in the bottled water business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your bottled water business

The purified water business plan package consists of 4 files

• Bottled Water Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive Version – 101 Pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive Version – 101 Pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan Funding/Bank Loan Version- Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan/funding – 48 pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel File)

The business plan can be used in any country and can be easily edited. The financial statements are automated. This implies that you can change eg the costs, salaries etc, and all the other financial statements will automatically adjust to reflect the change. 

Click below to download the Contents Page of the Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF)

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Get the Bottled Water Business Plan (PDF, Word And Excel)

Click Buy Now  below to purchase using Paypal, Credit Card, or Debit Card. After you have purchased, you will immediately see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. You will also immediately get an email with the business plan download link. The Pre-written business plan package (PDF, Word, and Excel) costs $30 only!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once then click here: Business Plans Store.

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

We wish you the best in your bottled water business! Check out our collection of business plans  , and more business ideas .

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Bottled Water Business Plan Template [Updated 2024]

I. Executive Summary

This Section's Contents

Business Overview

Products served, customer focus, management team, success factors, financial highlights.

[Company Name], located in [insert location here] is a new bottled water company that focuses on providing high-quality, filtered bottled water. The company uses proprietary technology to filter its water and provide the best tasting water in the industry. The company also plans to distribute their bottled water to retail locations throughout the United States.

[Company Name] will provide a variety of different types of bottled water. Products will include mineral water, spring water, purified water, sparkling water, artesian well water and alkaline water.

Products are focused on providing healthy and nutritious beverage options for an individual to achieve maximum hydration.

[Company Name] will primarily serve the residents within a 5 to 10-mile radius of our location. The demographics of these residents are as follows:

• 195,203 residents
• Average income of $46,000
• 49.3% married
• 40.5% in Mgt./Professional occupations
• Median age: 43 years

[Company Name] is led by [Founder’s Name], a local dietician who runs a private practice in [location]. She has studied nutrition, diet, and exercise and has been running a successful practice for over 20 years. She has written books, journal articles, and presented at numerous health conferences. [Founder] has studied the effects of properly bottled water for health benefits and has developed a proprietary system for filtering water while maintaining all of the crucial vitamins and minerals of well and tap water.

[Company Name] is uniquely qualified to succeed due to the following reasons:

• The company will be providing a valuable product to those seeking the most beneficial water source for their active lifestyles.
• The company is in a high-volume area that is near to hospitals, schools , gyms, and recreation centers.
• The management team has a track record of success in the nutrition industry and is a proven expert in the field.
• The pricing model is formulated to be slightly higher than the competition as it is a higher-quality product, but low enough that customers will perceive value when consuming.
• [Company Name] will be sold in most grocery stores and convenience stores.

[Company Name] is seeking total funding of $225,000 to open its bottled water manufacturing and distribution company.

• Factory design/build-out: $100,000
• Equipment and supplies: $75,000
• Working capital: $50,000 to pay for marketing, salaries, and lease costs until [Company Name] reaches break-even

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Bottled Water Business Plan Home I. Executive Summary II. Company Overview III. Industry Analysis IV. Customer Analysis V. Competitive Analysis VI. Marketing Plan VII. Operations Plan VIII. Management Team IX. Financial Plan

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Business Plan 2025–30

This is our largest and most ambitious plan yet, double the size of our current delivery plan at £7.8 billion.

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Our Business Plan 2025–30

More than 25,000 customers spent over 8,000 hours telling us what they think to help us develop it. They told us they wanted us to continue providing clean, wholesome, safe drinking water now and into the future; reduce leakage; prevent pollutions and flooding and reduce our use of storm overflows while increasing the support we provide to customers in the most vulnerable circumstances.

They were also clear on how we should do things – using new technology and nature-based solutions where we can, collaborating with community partners and showing leadership on key environmental issues.

Here’s a short summary of our plan.

You can also read the full suite of documents submitted to our regulator below:

Latest Information on PR24 Business Plan - March 24 Explanatory Note Calculation of PR24 Business Plan Costs PR24 Business Plan Data Tables March 24 Update SRN39 Addendum Wastewater Treatment SRN40 Addendum Storm Overflows Business Plan Commentary 1 Business Plan Commentary 2 Business Plan Commentary 3 Business Plan Commentary 4 Business Plan Commentary 5 SRN PR24 Financial Model March 24 Update

SRN Business Plan Document Map SRN Full Business Plan 2025-30 SRN01 Executive Summary SRN02 Long-term delivery strategy SRN03 Customer acceptability SRN04 Costs and outcomes approach SRN05 Wholesale Water (costs and outcomes) SRN06 Wholesale Wastewater (costs and outcomes) SRN07 Customer - HH & NHH (costs and outcomes) SRN08 Affordability SRN09 Deliverability SRN10 Risk and Return  SRN11 Data and Assurance  SRN12 Long-term delivery strategy (Technical Annex)

Price Review 2024 Business Plan Tables 01 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 02 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 03 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 04 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 05 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 06 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 07 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 08 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 09 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 10 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 11 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 12 PR24 Business Plan Commentary 2023 SRN PR24 BP October data tables

SRN Hampshire Water Transfer ACWG strategic regional water resources model   SRN Havant Thicket and Recycling strategic regional water resource model   SRN River Itchen ACWG Version strategic regional water resource model   SRN T2ST ACWG Version strategic regional water resource model   SRN West Country Sources North ACWG strategic regional water resource model   SRN West Country south Sources and Transfers ACWG Version strategic regional water resource model SRN West Country south southern Transfers ACWG Version strategic regional water resource model SRN Desalination ACWG strategic regional water resource model

PR19 Innovation Funding PR19 ODI Performance Model 2024-25 PR24 2023-24 ODI Performance Model SRN - PR24-RCV Adjustments Feeder Model SRN 2022-23 In-period Adjustments Model SRN Cost Sharing Total Costs SRN Reconciliation Model Dec 2020 SRN Bioresources Revenue Reconciliation Model Dec 2020 SRN Cost Of New Debt Indexation Model Dec 2020 SRN Developer Services Reconciliation Model SRN Gearing Outperformance Sharing Mechanism Mar 2023 SRN Land Sales Model Dec 2020 SRN PR24 Revenue Adjustments Feeder Model SRN Residential Retail Reconciliation Model De c SRN RFI Model SRN RPI CPIH Wedge True Up Model Dec 2020 SRN Water Trading Incentive Model Dec 2020 Tax Reconciliation Tool Dec 2020

SRN23 Regional Wages SRN22 Network and WTW Growth SRN21 Advanced Digestion SRN20 Coastal Population SRN24 Meter Replacement

SRN PR24 Financial Model

SRN13 Reputation, Trust and Transparency SRN14 Customer Insight SRN15 Cost and Option Methodology SRN16 Real Price Effects Frontier Shift SRN17 Direct Procurement for Customers and Alternative Delivery SRN18 Performance Commitment Methodologies SRN19 Botex SRN36 Bioresources Strategy SRN38 Water Industry National Environment Programme SRN46 Net Zero Carbon SRN47 Resilience in the Round SRN48 Operational Resilience SRN54 Innovation SRN55 Affordability Model Methodology SRN56 Deliverability SRN57 Risk SRN58 Uncertainty Mechanisms SRN59 Past Performance (PR19 Reconciliation Mechanisms) SRN60 Financeability SRN61 Cost of Equity SRN62 Cost of Debt SRN63 Executive Pay and Dividend Policies SRN64 Cost of Capital

SRN25 Supply Resilience Enhancement Programme SRN26 Water Resources - Supply SRN27 Water Resources - Demand SRN28 Water Resources - Smart metering SRN29 Water resources Strategic Resource Options SRN30 Raw Water Deterioration SRN31 Lead SRN32 Reservoir Safety SRN33 WINEP - Supporting Water Abstraction SRN34 Network and Information Systems SRN35 Security and Emergency Measures Direction  SRN37 Industrial Emissions Directive SRN39 WINEP - Enhancing Waste Treatment SRN40 WINEP - Storm Overflows SRN41 WINEP - Monitoring SRN42 WINEP - Wider Environmental Enhancement SRN43 WINEP - Bioresources Cake Storage SRN44 Wastewater Growth SRN45 First Time Sewerage SRN49 Resilience - Power SRN50 Resilience - Infiltration SRN51 Resilience - Heat SRN52 Resilience - Flooding SRN53 Resilience - Coastal

SRN Quality and ambition assessment checklist

SRN PR24 Bill Waterfall Model

SRN RoRE Model RR30b without Uncertainty Mechanisms Impact SRN RoRE Model with Uncertainty Mechanisms Impact

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Starting a Bottled Water Business in South Africa – Business Plan (PDF, Word & Excel)

Posted by BizBolts | All Articles , Business Ideas , Business Plans

Starting a bottled water business in South Africa is very profitable. The food and beverage sector has been growing due to the growth in disposable income, an increase in tourism, and a move towards living healthy lifestyles. The need for safe drinking water has increased the demand for bottled water in South Africa. Educational institutions, private companies, schools, supermarkets, and hotels are always in need of safe drinking water. Thus, setting up a bottled water company is a lucrative business  that one can explore. Keep in mind that many South Africans are becoming health conscious when it comes to the food and beverages they consume. More people now demand that their food and beverages should be procured in a sustainable and ethical manner. Also, the food and beverages market in South Africa is very competitive and it has its own identity that matches South African consumers’ needs. This article will outline how to start a bottled water business in South Africa, and the bottled water business plan – PDF, Word, and Excel.

A bottled water business is a lucrative business that has been providing income for many entrepreneurs, but there are some essential factors you need to consider before you venture into this kind of business. Some of these factors include the size of your facilities; location, the various packages you will offer, and the specific types of bottled water you intend to provide, as well as your target market. These factors will be affected by the amount of capital you have. Thus, you should carry out a feasibility study, market research and have a good bottled water business plan before you venture into this kind of business.

Location & Premises

The location of your business is an important decision to make before you start a bottled water business. It’s important that you locate your facilities and offices close to your target market. Consider the amount of road traffic and find an easily accessible location where your potential clients easily travel to. Setting up your bottled water business close to your water source is essential. This will help you in cutting down costs when you source your raw materials and it will also reduce the risk of contamination.

Equipment For A Bottled Water Business

You need various kinds equipment for your bottled water business and the type of equipment you may require will depend on the size of your bottled water facility plus the different types of bottled water you will provide your clients.  This could be natural spring water, flavoured water or sparkling water. Some essential equipment for  a bottled water company includes water treatment equipment, storage tanks, filling and packaging equipment. You may need to buy delivery vans, depending on your products and services especially if you plan on transporting your bottled water to your customers. It is important to include all of these costs into your bottled water business plan.

Your target niche will determine the type of water you intend to sell. You can sell still water, mineral water, flavoured water, or sparkling water in different sized water bottles ranging from 500ml to 5l bottles. You can sell your bottled water to  various clients such as caterers,  large scale supermarkets, hotels and schools to name a few. It is advisable to create attractive packages and products that will help you bring customers to your business. It is very important for a bottled water company to source raw materials from the right place whether you intend on using boreholes, or underground spring water. These factors in addition to other important matters should be clearly written in your mineral water business plan.

Staff & Management

As a customer-centric bottled water business, it’s important that you hire employees that are competent and efficient. Your employees should be passionate about their jobs. If you want to hit the ground running it’s better to hire a team of people who have experience in this kind of business. Your staff should be able to do their jobs efficiently on a regular basis.  Inexperienced staff members need to go through extensive training before they can be given intricate tasks. Keep in mind that the equipment and machinery used for your bottled company can cause serious injury. Ensure that you take the necessary precautions when operating your facilities.

Depending on the size of your business, the actual number of your staff will vary however, you will need a reasonable number of production workers, packers, general hands, security as well as management. Your bottled water business plan should cater for the salaries and day to day expenses and operations of your business.

Some of the day-to-day operations of this business involve:

• Collecting water from its source to the plant
• Sanitising the facilities and equipment
• Treating water
• Filling and packing water into different sized bottles
• Serving Customers and doing deliveries
• Liaising with /suppliers
• Sales and communicating with customers
• Managing Staff
• Marketing and advertising

It is essential to take great care when you handle bottled water. Beverage contamination can cause health issues. There is need for you to adhere to all industry related health and safety measures in place. These safety measures cover the cleanliness of your environment; how your staff members dress plus how and where your bottled is prepared and stored among other issues. Businesses related to the preparation and serving of food and beverages can be a great risk, that is why adhering to health and regulations is important.

Is A Bottled Water Business A Good Investment?

There is a reasonable number of bottled water companies with a large market share in South Africa. Even though the industry is highly competitive it is still possible for you to open your own bottled water company. Starting your own business can be very expensive, especially if you start small. It is not the kind of business you can run with little equipment but you can start small and grow the business overtime. However, building your own bottled water business from scratch can be challenging but rewarding if done well. Investing in a bottled water business can be a profitable venture, but obviously, this will depend on many factors such as your target market and the kind of bottled water products you intend to provide. The input costs of running a bottled water business varies depending on how you start, it is cheaper if you start small. Whichever way you start, with a bottled water business you can make reasonable profit margins. Apart from the obvious advantages of becoming financially independent and becoming your own boss, operating a bottled water business can be a profitable way of uplifting your community.

Given that the South African market is one of the leading emerging economies on the African continent there is potential for high growth, especially when it comes to the food and beverages sector. This sector has been growing steadily for the past 10 years, thus setting up your business in this sector can be a good investment. Whether you are a young entrepreneur, a professional seeking to start your own business or someone who needs a retirement plan, investing in a mineral water business is something worth considering. Large institutions both public and private such as universities, hospitals and large supermarket chains need bottled water for their customers and staff. There is always a demand for bottled water in the country so setting up your company can be rewarding financially. One thing that can set you apart before investing in any venture is developing a business plan. A well thought out business plan will help you in both the short term and long term when it comes to any investment. There are various risks associated with running a bottled water business, like any other venture, your business plan should clearly outline these risks and ways to minimise them.

PRE-WRITTEN BOTTLED WATER BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL): COMPREHENSIVE VERSION, SHORT FUNDING/BANK LOAN VERSION AND AUTOMATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For an in-depth analysis of the bottled water business in South Africa, purchase our mineral water business plan. We decided to introduce the business plans after noting that many South Africans were venturing into the bottled water business without a full understanding of the industry, market, how to run the business, the risks involved, profitability of the business and the costs involved, leading to a high failure rate of their businesses.

Our business plan will make it easier for you to launch and run a bottled water business successfully, fully knowing what you are going into, and what’s needed to succeed in the business. It will be easier to plan and budget as the bottled water business plan will lay out all the costs involved in setting up and running the business. The business plan is designed specifically for the South African market.

USES OF THE MINERAL WATER BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The bottled water business plan can be used for many purposes including:

• Raising capital from investors/friends/relatives
• Applying for a bank loan
• Start-up guide to launch your bottled water company
• As a bottled water business project proposal
• Assessing profitability of the mineral water business
• Finding a business partner
• Assessing the initial start-up costs so that you know how much to save
• Manual for current business owners to help in business and strategy formulation

CONTENTS OF THE BOTTLED WATER BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL)

The business plan includes, but not limited to:

• Market Analysis
• Industry Analysis
• 5 Year Automated Financial Statements [ Income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheets, monthly cash flow projections (3 years monthly cash flow projections, the remaining two years annually),break even analysis, payback period analysis, start-up costs, financial graphs, revenue and expenses, Bank Loan Amortisation]
• Marketing Strategy
• Risk Analysis
• SWOT & PEST Analysis
• Operational Requirements
• Operational Strategy
• Why some South Africans in the bottled water business fail, so that you can avoid their mistakes
• Ways to raise capital to start your bottled water business in South Africa

The Bottled Water Business Plan package consist of 4 files

• Bottled Water Business Plan – PDF file (Comprehensive – 109 pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan – Editable Word File (Comprehensive – 109 pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan Funding Version – Editable Word File (Short version for applying for a loan – 51 pages)
• Bottled Water Business Plan Automated Financial Statements – (Editable Excel file)

Testimonial 5

The BizBolts poultry business plan led us down the path from start to finish. Contact details of suppliers of key requirements were included in the business plan. It helped us crystallize our strategy, and the business plan was well received by the bank.

Testimonial 3

The business plan has a highly professional look and feel. The research really helps me look deep into the market that I am targeting, it’s well suited for the South African market. The business plan clearly outlined everything I need to start the business and the costs. It’s now easier to budget and plan. Thank you very much.

Testimonial 2

I am extremely pleased with the business plan and financial statements. The business plan is very detailed & it meets my requirements. I feel better equipped with tools that can help me secure funding.  I would have no hesitation of recommending your business plans to other people.

Testimonial 7

Thank you BizBolts for the business plan. I received the business plan immediately after payment, it was money well spent ! I was able to easily edit the business plan. After using the BizBolts business plan, I can wholeheartedly recommend their products and skills.

Testimonial 1

Many thanks to the BizBolts team for putting together a fantastic business plan, I could not have done this business plan on my own. I managed to get funding from investors to start my butchery business using your business plan.

Testimonial 6

It is with excitement and pleasure to inform you that I have been successful in securing a loan from my bank. This would not have been possible if not for the BizBolts Business Plan. Thank you for your help, my dreams are now coming true.

Testimonial 4

The business plan was very helpful, you did a great job of taking ideas and putting them into words as well as pointing out other aspects of the business plan I wouldn’t have thought of. I got funding using your business plan and it’s now 4 months since I started my poultry business, and everything is going well.

GET THE BOTTLED WATER BUSINESS PLAN (PDF, WORD AND EXCEL) - R500 Only.

We decided to make the business plan affordable to anyone who would want to start the business, and the price for the pre-written business plan is only 500 Rand.

We have several payment methods which you can use.

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Click  Buy Now  below to purchase. After you have purchased, you will instantly see the download link for the business plan package on the screen. We will also email you the download link. Get instant access to the business plan now!

If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once using Visa Card/MasterCard then  click here: Business Plans Store

The business plan package is a zipped compressed file containing the PDF, Word and Excel documents. To open the package after downloading it, just right click, and select Extract All. If you have any problems in downloading and opening the files, email us on [email protected] and we will assist you.

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If you want to purchase multiple business plans at once using Instant EFT then  click here: Business Plans Store

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Call/Whatsapp us on +27606334830 for the other payment methods. (Whatsapp us by clicking the link https://wa.me/27606334830 ). Email: [email protected] .

About The Author

BizBolts (Pty) Ltd is a business research company based in Johannesburg, South Africa. We sell prewritten business plans for various industries including livestock production, crop farming and retail businesses. BizBolts also publishes articles on business ideas, business news, business tips, personal finance, and entrepreneur profiles.

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Water Delivery Business Plan Template & Guidebook

Ready to launch your own water delivery company but uncertain of where to start? Look nowhere else! Everything you require to write a thorough business plan and launch your venture is included in our water delivery business plan template and instruction manual. Our template and handbook offer a step-by-step process for starting an own water delivery business, including everything from market research and financial predictions to marketing strategies and operational plans. With the help of our tried-and-true template and knowledgeable advice, you can confidently make your idea a reality. Why then wait? Create your business plan for water delivery right away!

Get worry-free services and support to launch your business starting at $0 plus state fees.

• How to Start a Profitable Water Delivery Business [11 Steps]
• 25 Catchy Water Delivery Business Names:
• List of the Best Marketing Ideas For Your Water Delivery Business:

How to Write a Water Delivery Business Plan in 7 Steps:

1. describe the purpose of your water delivery business..

The first step to writing your business plan is to describe the purpose of your water delivery business. This includes describing why you are starting this type of business, and what problems it will solve for customers. This is a quick way to get your mind thinking about the customers’ problems. It also helps you identify what makes your business different from others in its industry.

It also helps to include a vision statement so that readers can understand what type of company you want to build.

Here is an example of a purpose mission statement for a water delivery business:

At our water delivery company, our mission is to provide convenient and reliable access to clean, fresh drinking water for households and businesses in our community. We are committed to using the highest-quality sources and filtration methods to ensure that our water is safe and enjoyable to drink. We strive to be a go-to source for our customers' water needs, offering flexible delivery options and exceptional customer service. We are dedicated to making it easy and convenient for our customers to stay hydrated and healthy, without having to worry about the quality or safety of their drinking water.

2. Products & Services Offered by Your Water Delivery Business.

The next step is to outline your products and services for your water delivery business. 

When you think about the products and services that you offer, it's helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• What is my business?
• What are the products and/or services that I offer?
• Why am I offering these particular products and/or services?
• How do I differentiate myself from competitors with similar offerings?
• How will I market my products and services?

You may want to do a comparison of your business plan against those of other competitors in the area, or even with online reviews. This way, you can find out what people like about them and what they don’t like, so that you can either improve upon their offerings or avoid doing so altogether.

3. Build a Creative Marketing Stratgey.

If you don't have a marketing plan for your water delivery business, it's time to write one. Your marketing plan should be part of your business plan and be a roadmap to your goals. 

A good marketing plan for your water delivery business includes the following elements:

Target market

• Who is your target market?
• What do these customers have in common?
• How many of them are there?
• How can you best reach them with your message or product?

Customer base 

• Who are your current customers? 
• Where did they come from (i.e., referrals)?
• How can their experience with your water delivery business help make them repeat customers, consumers, visitors, subscribers, or advocates for other people in their network or industry who might also benefit from using this service, product, or brand?

Product or service description

• How does it work, what features does it have, and what are its benefits?
• Can anyone use this product or service regardless of age or gender?
• Can anyone visually see themselves using this product or service?
• How will they feel when they do so? If so, how long will the feeling last after purchasing (or trying) the product/service for the first time?

Competitive analysis

• Which companies are competing with yours today (and why)? 
• Which ones may enter into competition with yours tomorrow if they find out about it now through word-of-mouth advertising; social media networks; friends' recommendations; etc.)
• What specific advantages does each competitor offer over yours currently?

Marketing channels

• Which marketing channel do you intend to leverage to attract new customers?
• What is your estimated marketing budget needed?
• What is the projected cost to acquire a new customer?
• How many of your customers do you instead will return?

Form an LLC in your state!

4. Write Your Operational Plan.

Next, you'll need to build your operational plan. This section describes the type of business you'll be running, and includes the steps involved in your operations. 

In it, you should list:

• The equipment and facilities needed
• Who will be involved in the business (employees, contractors)
• Financial requirements for each step
• Milestones & KPIs
• Location of your business
• Zoning & permits required for the business

What equipment, supplies, or permits are needed to run a water delivery business?

To run a water delivery business, you'll need a range of equipment and supplies, as well as a few permits. Here's a quick rundown of what you'll need:

• A physical location for your business, such as a standalone office or a space within an existing building
• A fleet of vehicles, such as trucks or vans, for transporting water to customer's homes or businesses
• Water tanks and other equipment for storing and delivering water
• A supply of water, either bottled or from a municipal water source
• Depending on your location and the services you offer, you may need to obtain a business license and other permits, such as a permit to operate a water delivery business or a permit to transport water.

Overall, running a water delivery business requires a mix of equipment, supplies, and permits to ensure that you can provide clean and reliable water to your customers.

5. Management & Organization of Your Water Delivery Business.

The second part of your water delivery business plan is to develop a management and organization section.

This section will cover all of the following:

• How many employees you need in order to run your water delivery business. This should include the roles they will play (for example, one person may be responsible for managing administrative duties while another might be in charge of customer service).
• The structure of your management team. The higher-ups like yourself should be able to delegate tasks through lower-level managers who are directly responsible for their given department (inventory and sales, etc.).
• How you’re going to make sure that everyone on board is doing their job well. You’ll want check-ins with employees regularly so they have time to ask questions or voice concerns if needed; this also gives you time to offer support where necessary while staying informed on how things are going within individual departments too!

6. Water Delivery Business Startup Expenses & Captial Needed.

This section should be broken down by month and year. If you are still in the planning stage of your business, it may be helpful to estimate how much money will be needed each month until you reach profitability.

Typically, expenses for your business can be broken into a few basic categories:

Startup Costs

Startup costs are typically the first expenses you will incur when beginning an enterprise. These include legal fees, accounting expenses, and other costs associated with getting your business off the ground. The amount of money needed to start a water delivery business varies based on many different variables, but below are a few different types of startup costs for a water delivery business.

Running & Operating Costs

Running costs refer to ongoing expenses related directly with operating your business over time like electricity bills or salaries paid out each month. These types of expenses will vary greatly depending on multiple variables such as location, team size, utility costs, etc.

Marketing & Sales Expenses

You should include any costs associated with marketing and sales, such as advertising and promotions, website design or maintenance. Also, consider any additional expenses that may be incurred if you decide to launch a new product or service line. For example, if your water delivery business has an existing website that needs an upgrade in order to sell more products or services, then this should be listed here.

7. Financial Plan & Projections

A financial plan is an important part of any business plan, as it outlines how the business will generate revenue and profit, and how it will use that profit to grow and sustain itself. To devise a financial plan for your water delivery business, you will need to consider a number of factors, including your start-up costs, operating costs, projected revenue, and expenses. 

Here are some steps you can follow to devise a financial plan for your water delivery business plan:

• Determine your start-up costs: This will include the cost of purchasing or leasing the space where you will operate your business, as well as the cost of buying or leasing any equipment or supplies that you need to start the business.
• Estimate your operating costs: Operating costs will include utilities, such as electricity, gas, and water, as well as labor costs for employees, if any, and the cost of purchasing any materials or supplies that you will need to run your business.
• Project your revenue: To project your revenue, you will need to consider the number of customers you expect to have and the average amount they will spend on each visit. You can use this information to estimate how much money you will make from selling your products or services.
• Estimate your expenses: In addition to your operating costs, you will need to consider other expenses, such as insurance, marketing, and maintenance. You will also need to set aside money for taxes and other fees.
• Create a budget: Once you have estimated your start-up costs, operating costs, revenue, and expenses, you can use this information to create a budget for your business. This will help you to see how much money you will need to start the business, and how much profit you can expect to make.
• Develop a plan for using your profit: Finally, you will need to decide how you will use your profit to grow and sustain your business. This might include investing in new equipment, expanding the business, or saving for a rainy day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Delivery Business Plans:

Why do you need a business plan for a water delivery business.

A business plan is a document that outlines the goals and objectives of a business, as well as the strategies and tactics that will be used to achieve those goals. It is important to have a business plan for your water delivery business because it helps to focus the efforts of the company, communicate the business's goals and objectives to potential investors, and provide a roadmap for the business to follow. Additionally, a business plan can be used to help secure funding from investors or lenders, who will want to see that the business has a solid plan in place before they provide funding.

How to write a business plan for your water delivery business?)

To build a business plan for your water delivery business, start by researching your industry, competitors, and target market. Use this information to define your business's goals and objectives, as well as the strategies and tactics that you will use to achieve those goals. Next, create a financial plan that outlines your projected income, expenses, and profit. This should include a projected income statement, cash flow statement, and balance sheet. Once you have all of this information, you can use it to create a comprehensive business plan that outlines the goals and objectives of your business, as well as the strategies and tactics that you will use to achieve those goals. A well-written water delivery business plan contains the following sections: Purpose, Products & Services, Marketing Plan (including Marketing Strategy), Operations/Management Plan (including Operations/Management Strategy), Financial Plan (including Financial Forecasts), and Appendixes.

Can you write a water delivery business plan yourself?

Yes, you can write a water delivery business plan yourself. Writing a business plan is a valuable exercise that can help you clarify your business idea, identify potential challenges and opportunities, and develop a roadmap for success. While there are many resources and templates available to help you write a business plan, the process of creating one is ultimately up to you.

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I'm Nick, co-founder of newfoundr.com, dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. As a small business owner with over five years of experience, I have garnered valuable knowledge and insights across a diverse range of industries. My passion for entrepreneurship drives me to share my expertise with aspiring entrepreneurs, empowering them to turn their business dreams into reality.

Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, I uncover the essential steps, software, tools, and costs associated with launching and maintaining a successful business. By demystifying the complexities of entrepreneurship, I provide the guidance and support needed for others to embark on their journey with confidence.

From assessing market viability and formulating business plans to selecting the right technology and navigating the financial landscape, I am dedicated to helping fellow entrepreneurs overcome challenges and unlock their full potential. As a steadfast advocate for small business success, my mission is to pave the way for a new generation of innovative and driven entrepreneurs who are ready to make their mark on the world.

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Poland Spring rolling out water in aluminum bottles

Poland Spring parent company BlueTriton announced the aluminum bottles are part of a long-term sustainability plan.

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The parent company of Poland Spring water, BlueTriton, announced it’s beginning to make the switch from plastic to aluminum bottles as part of the company’s sustainability goals.

Poland Spring parent company BlueTriton announced it is rolling out aluminum bottles to replace plastic ones as part of a long-term sustainability plan. Submitted photo

Major water brands like Coca-Cola’s Dasani, PepsiCo’s Aquafina and Nestle’s Pure Life products started making the switch as early as 2019 and BlueTriton joins dozens of other brands to follow suit.

BlueTriton also says it has partnered with global charity 1% for the Planet, committing to donate 1% of aluminum bottle sales to environmental groups that are part of the charity’s network.

Aluminum bottles and cans are slowly replacing plastic bottles, which are coming under increased scrutiny for health and sustainability concerns.

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Americans throw away 60 million plastic water bottles every day, with an estimated 80% of them not recycled. Aluminum bottles and cans have a higher cost, but also have a much higher rate of recycling and can be recycled again and again.

This story was originally published in “ Brazilian steakhouse ‘Food Point’ almost ready to open in Lewiston ” The Buzz offers quick hits about trending area business happenings . Have a Buzzable tip? Contact business writer Christopher Wheelock at 689-2817 or [email protected]

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Mancini’s Italian micro deli and sandwich shop to open in downtown Lewiston

Bob brainerd named auburn citizen of the year, ed boucher, the local musician who wrote the marden’s jingle, dies, lewiston man who ran amok on a downtown rooftop is a changed man, he says, auburn apartments, restaurant building on main street moving forward, member log in.

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Business | Parent company of Duluth-Superior utilities…

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Business | parent company of duluth-superior utilities agrees to $6.2 billion buyout.

The sale price was announced at $6.2 billion, or $67 per share. The stock had been priced at $64.47 before trading opened Monday.

The sale comes months after speculation first surfaced on Wall Street that Allete officials had been searching for a suitor.

Allete officials said the company, which would go from publicly traded to a privately owned firm, will remain headquartered in Duluth, retain its workforce, and honor all union contracts and labor agreements. Allete CEO Bethany Owen will also remain at the helm.

In an interview with the Duluth News Tribune on Monday, Owen said taking the company private would help it access “capital ready to deploy” for nearly $4 billion in clean energy and infrastructure projects planned over the next five years. She noted it takes time to raise capital in the public markets, which are volatile.

“We’re looking to double the size of Allete over the next five years,” Owen said. “And when you think about that amount of capital that we needed to have access to, we wanted to make sure that we had ready access to that. And these partners, they’re incredibly well-resourced, very well-respected. They’re not operators — they’re truly investors — and they provide us that access to capital that we need to execute our strategy.”

The CPP Investments is a professional investment management organization that manages a fund for the more than 22 million contributors and beneficiaries of the Canada Pension Plan. It has more than $590 billion (Canadian) in assets.

New York City-based GIP is among the world’s largest infrastructure investors, with approximately $112 billion in assets under management, annual revenues of approximately $73 billion, and over 115,000 employees.

In January, BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, agreed to buy GIP for $12.5 billion, Reuters reported. The deal is expected to close in the third quarter of 2024, BlackRock said at the time.

“We don’t believe it will mean anything for our transaction,” Owen told the News Tribune, noting it’s a separate transaction.

Allete’s board of directors unanimously approved CPP Investments’ and GIP’s acquisition of Allete, which is expected to close in mid-2025. However, it is subject to approval by Allete shareholders and regulatory agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, as well as other customary financial closing conditions.

The Minnesota Power and Superior, Water, Light and Power subsidiaries of Allete would remain regulated utilities in Minnesota and Wisconsin. In addition to the two local utilities, Allete also owns several wind-generating, hydropower-generating, electrical transmission lines and other energy assets. The company has focused in recent years on transitioning away from coal-fired power plants to a mix of hydro, wind, solar and gas-power electrical generation.

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9 places to nosh on bagels in southern Maine

From old-school spots to foodie favorites, there's a 'hole' lot to try.

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Bread and bagels at The Works Cafe in downtown Portland. Photo by Aimsel Ponti

From New York-style boiled bagels to Montreal-inspired wood-fired ones, there’s lots of great bagels in southern Maine and several shops have the accolades to back that up.

In 2023, Bon Appetit named bagels from Rose Foods and Rover Bagel among the best in the country.

Two years before that,  Food & Wine Magazine put Rover, Forage and Scratch Baking Co. on its list of best bagels in the U.S.

Whether you like yours toasted with cream cheese or as the bread for your breakfast sandwich, you can find plenty of styles and flavors from Biddeford to Brunswick.

BEACH BAGELS

The offerings at Beach Bagels include a French toast and marble bagel, and the cream cheese menu comprises spreads like strawberry, olive and honey walnut. Along with breakfast sandwiches, Beach Bagels has hearty breakfast options like omelets and pancakes. Best of all, you’re steps away from a beach stroll. Just don’t let the seagulls steal your bagel. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily WHERE: 34 Old Orchard St., Old Orchard Beach. beachbagels.yolasite.com ______________

Dutchman’s opened in 2022 as a pop-up housed at Nomad pizza in Brunswick’s Fort Andross building. It’s since become a permanent fixture there and uses the pizzeria’s wood-fired ovens to bake its bagels. The hand-shaped, honey-boiled bagels come in plain, roasted garlic, poppy and a bagel-of-the-day flavor.

WHEN: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday to Sunday WHERE: Fort Andross, 14 Maine St., Brunswick. dutchmans.me ______________

FORAGE MARKET

Making bagels at Forage Market involves a two-day aging process. The bagels are naturally leavened with wild yeast starter and baked next to a hardwood fire. There are usually five flavors available, including sesame and garlic. Breakfast sandwiches (including vegan options) are available. Forage also has a location in Lewiston. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 123 Washington Ave., Portland. foragemarket.com _____________

MISTER BAGEL

There are 10 or so Mister Bagel locations in Maine, including South Portland and Falmouth. It all began with the Portland location, which was the first bagel shop to open in Maine. The late Rick Hartglass started Mister Bagel in 1977, and it is still a family business. Music fans will appreciate the breakfast sandwich menu, which includes The David Bowie (bacon, egg and American cheese), the Jimmy Buffett (egg with roast beef and cheddar) and The Lady Gaga (avocado, salt and pepper, with or without egg).

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to noon Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to noon Saturday and Sunday WHERE: 599 Forest Ave., Portland. misterbagelforestave.com ______________

At Rose Foods, the menu varies depending on the day, but there are usually six to eight flavors available. For example, should you pop in on a Friday, you’ll find a poppy and onion bialy (a cousin of the bagel that is not boiled). Rose Foods also makes a number of bagel sandwiches, including the Classic Nova with Nova lox and the Classic Whitefish. Advertisement

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily WHERE: 428 Forest Ave., Portland. rosefoods.me

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ROVER BAGEL

At Rover Bagel, you’ll find wood-fired plain, poppy, sea salt, sesame and everything bagels available most of the time, and the spread game here is strong with cream cheese options like lemon-thyme-honey cream and chili-garlic.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 10 West Point Lane Suite 10-204, Biddeford (Pepperell Mill). roverbagel.com

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SCRATCH BAKING CO.

You haven’t lived until you’ve experienced the line of devoted fans waiting for Scratch Baking Co. to open, especially on weekend mornings. Along with the popular Maine sea salt, plain and other everyday flavors, Scratch has a daily special bagel. There’s honeyed rosemary on Wednesday and jalapeno cheddar on Thursday. Scratch is also famous, at least to locals, for its P-Cheese spread. It’s a pimento cheese recipe made with cheddar, mayo, roasted red peppers and seasoning and was passed down to co-owner and head baker Allison Reid by her grandmother, Mern.

WHEN: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon Sunday WHERE: 416 Preble St., South Portland. scratchbakingco.com ___________

THE MAINE BAGEL

The Maine Bagel is a drive-thru with several breakfast and other kinds of sandwiches available. With a bagel list that features egg and bialy among the standards, the family-owned spot is the perfect place to stop on your way to Pine Point Beach. The Maine Bagel really shines with a dozen kinds of cream cheese spreads, including raisin-walnut, lox, strawberry, cranberry-nut and bacon-chive.

WHEN: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. WHERE: 117 Route 1, Scarborough. themainebagel.com Advertisement

THE WORKS CAFE

The Works Cafe is an institution on the edge of the Portland’s Old Port. It opened in 1990 as Bagel Works before it changed its name in 2002. The original shop in this regional chain opened in Manchester, Vermont, in 1988, and there are 11 locations around New England, though just the one in Maine. Gone are the ’90s-era banana-walnut bagels and cold pizza cream cheese, but The Works Cafe is still a reliable place to grab a salt, multigrain or cinnamon raisin bagel, among others. The menu also has bowls, sandwiches and smoothies.

WHEN: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily WHERE: 15 Temple St., Portland. workscafe.com

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Oil Companies Expand Offshore Drilling, Pointing to Energy Needs

Shell and others say they plan to drill for oil and gas in the Gulf of Mexico in part because doing so releases fewer greenhouse gases than drilling on land.

By Ivan Penn

Reporting from Shell’s Appomattox offshore platform, New Orleans, Houston and Los Angeles

About 80 miles southeast of Louisiana’s coast, 100,000 metric tons of steel floats in the Gulf of Mexico, an emblem of the hopes of oil and gas companies.

This hulk of metal, a deepwater platform called Appomattox and owned by Shell, collects the oil and gas that rigs tap from reservoirs thousands of feet below the seafloor. Equipment on the platform pipes that fuel to shore.

Political and corporate leaders have pledged to reduce planet-warming emissions to net-zero by 2050. But oil companies like Shell are betting that the world will need oil and gas for decades to come. To serve that demand, they are expanding offshore oil and gas drilling into deeper and deeper waters, especially here in the Gulf of Mexico.

Offshore production, oil executives argue, is not only crucial to power cars, trucks and power plants but also better for the planet than drilling on land. That’s because such operations emit far less of the greenhouse gases that are warming the planet than producing the same amount of oil and gas on land, according to industry estimates.

“The world will continue to need oil, by the way, even in 2050,” Wael Sawan, chief executive of Shell, said in a recent interview. “It will have to be lower and lower emissions.”

The greenhouse gas emissions associated with extracting a barrel of oil from the Gulf of Mexico are as much as a third lower than emissions from producing a barrel of oil from fields on U.S. soil, according to a report published last year by the National Ocean Industries Association , an industry group for offshore oil, gas and wind businesses. (Those numbers do not include the emissions created when fossil fuels are burned in engines or power plants, which are much greater than emissions from producing and refining oil and gas.)

Oil production in the Gulf of Mexico fell for several years after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion caused the worst offshore oil spill in U.S. history. But the gulf’s oil output has been rising over the last decade. The renewed interest in offshore production is part of a larger trend: The United States has recently set records for oil production, extracting more crude than any other country.

Booming oil and gas production in the United States has alarmed climate activists and scientists who want the energy industry to pivot more quickly to cleaner fuels and technologies like wind and solar power and electric vehicles.

“We’re not talking about stopping oil production today,” said Brettny Hardy, a senior lawyer in the Oceans Program at Earthjustice, a nonprofit environmental law organization. “But no matter how you look at it, there’s a really dire need to accelerate this shift to clean energy. The things the industry is doing now is not going to help that transition.”

To many environmentalists, offshore fossil fuel production’s potential for disaster is significant. The spill caused by the Deepwater Horizon rig , which was operated by BP, resulted in significant damage to marine life, the fishing industry and the Gulf of Mexico’s beaches.

The spill helped bring attention to Rice’s whale , which lives only in the Gulf of Mexico and is classified by the federal government as an endangered species. Fewer than 100 of these whales are left because of incidents like the Deepwater Horizon spill and collisions with vessels.

“The concern and worry is there for the right reasons because we have been burned once because of Deepwater Horizon,” said Najmedin Meshkati, a professor of engineering at the University of Southern California who served on a National Academies committee that studied that spill.

The Biden administration had planned to scale back lease sales for oil drilling in the gulf, which environmentalists said would help protect Rice’s whales. In August, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management reduced the area available for leases from 73 million acres to 67 million acres.

But in November, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit rejected the administration’s plans. A month later, oil companies offered $382 million for the right to drill for more oil and gas.

Oil executives say offshore oil operations are far less dangerous now thanks to advances in technology and improvements in standards and regulations. “Offshore oil and natural gas exploration and production is the safest it’s ever been,” said Holly Hopkins, vice president of upstream policy at the American Petroleum Institute, a trade group.

Energy companies favor drilling in the gulf because there is a lot of oil and gas there, especially under very deep waters. The number of deep water platforms have grown dramatically over the last three decades, while those in shallow waters have declined, according to the American Petroleum Institute.

Federal government analysts estimate that oil production in the Gulf of Mexico will grow through 2027. Natural gas production in the gulf is expected to largely remain flat through the early 2030s.

Shell is the biggest oil and gas producer in the region’s waters. Its outsize presence in the gulf is on display at Appomattox, which has a displacement bigger than the world’s largest aircraft carrier, according to the company.

The platform was brought online in 2019 and can house up to 180 people. It stays in place as ships drill wells near it and connect those wells by pipe to the platform, where equipment separates oil, natural gas and water.

Shell recently launched a smaller floating platform, the Whale, which can house up to 60 people. Another unit, Sparta, is under development. In all, Shell, a London-based global energy giant, operates nine active platforms — including four with built-in drill rigs — in the Gulf of Mexico.

On a reporter’s recent visit to Appomattox, about 130 people were working on board, including oil and gas engineers, cooks, janitors, a medic and laundry facility operators who keep washers and dryers spinning 24 hours a day.

Crews live on the platform for 14 consecutive days, working 12-hour shifts. They return to homes across the world for two weeks, before coming back for another 14-day stint.

There is a sense of pride among those aboard, though they recognize that many people think their industry is destroying the planet.

“There is another side that people don’t talk about,” said Matt Flanakin, a ballast control operator on Appomattox for Shell. “We know there’s a need to reduce carbon emissions. But we still need fossil fuels.”

The platform floats on the deep blue waters with little else in sight. On occasion, a drill rig ship appears in the distance. These vessels are scouring the seafloor for sources of oil.

The platforms create artificial reefs that attract fish and dolphin pods to Appomattox, said Rich Howe, executive vice president of Shell’s global deepwater business.

Shell is not alone in expanding its operations offshore. BP, Chevron and other energy giants are also expanding or planning to expand operations in the Gulf of Mexico.

“This is the cradle of global deepwater,” Mr. Howe said. “It’s where a lot of the technologies were invented.”

The gulf has an extensive network of pipelines and equipment that helps deliver the oil and gas directly to onshore facilities with little processing through pipelines. That makes extracting oil and gas from underground reservoirs in the gulf more efficient, ultimately helping to produce less emissions.

Technology has also reduced the need for as many offshore workers, who are flown by helicopter to platforms and drill rigs. Some control room operators work remotely onshore. And the companies say they are minimizing the amount of natural gas they burn off during a process called “flaring.”

“We want it to be as secure, affordable and as low-carbon as it can be,” said Andy Krieger, a senior vice president for the Gulf of Mexico and Canada at BP, which has five platforms in the Gulf of Mexico.

But plans by oil giants, especially those based in Europe, to invest in offshore production strike some climate experts as a retreat from the companies’ renewable-energy investments in recent years.

Mr. Sawan, the Shell chief executive, is clear that the company should focus on the businesses it knows best, a category that includes oil, natural gas and hydrogen. He said it should let other companies, including businesses with which Shell has financial and commercial relationships, develop renewable sources like solar power.

That doesn’t mean Shell is uninterested in newer parts of the energy sector, he added. He singled out electric vehicle charging as an area where his company plans to expand. To that end, Shell recently announced that it would close 1,000 gasoline stations, or about 2 percent of its retail presence, in 2024 and 2025 and expand its electric vehicle charging network to 200,000 public charging points globally by 2030, from about 55,000 now.

“At the end of the day,” Mr. Sawan said at a recent energy conference in Houston, “the real intent here is to be able to bring that multidimensional nature of the energy transition and move this dialogue that seems to fixate on ‘Is it oil and gas, or is it solar and wind?’ It’s all, and we need them in abundance.”

Ivan Penn is a reporter based in Los Angeles and covers the energy industry. His work has included reporting on clean energy, failures in the electric grid and the economics of utility services. More about Ivan Penn

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