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Category: Press Release

New Deputy Chairman for the WHA – Mark Cross

Posted on 16th May 202216th May 2022 by Phillipa ClowPosted in News, Press ReleaseLeave a Comment on New Deputy Chairman for the WHA – Mark Cross

 

The Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (the WHA) has announced the appointment of Mark Cross as its Deputy Chairman, with immediate effect.

Mark Cross is Sales & Marketing Director at Waterlogic GB and Managing Director at MIW Water Cooler Experts and has over 20 years’ commercial experience in the UK water dispenser sector. He has worked with Nestle Water Coolers and Angel Springs, taking on roles that included field sales, key account management, digital marketing, and customer relationship management.

Jon Wicks, chairman of the WHA, said: “Mark is the perfect choice as Deputy Chairman. As a member of our EC (board) he has been involved in the strategic planning for the industry association since its formation two years’ ago and has a wealth of industry sector experience as well as marketing knowledge and energy to help take the WHA forward.”

Mark Cross succeeds James Anderton who stepped down from the role last month.

Sustainable business in the can for WHA member, Swithland Spring Water

Posted on 3rd May 2022 by Phillipa ClowPosted in Hydration, News, Press Release, Sustainability, UncategorisedLeave a Comment on Sustainable business in the can for WHA member, Swithland Spring Water

Swithland Spring Water is small family run business set up by Brian Beeby on the family farm in Leicestershire in 1998. Knowing there was spring water under the farmland, Brian took a chance and drilled a 100-metre borehole. He was delighted to discover excellent spring water which had gradually percolated down through the rocks in the surrounding Charnwood Hills.

The water is exceptional: moderately mineralised, with a unique and pleasant flavour. Due to the quality of the spring water, Brian was soon able to grow the business and it became well known around Leicestershire and beyond, predominantly in the watercooler market.

Now, since Brian’s daughter Jennie Garratt joined the business, the company has been searching for ever more ways to capture water sustainably.  With the help of Martin Makin, Operations Manager, Jennie researched many options. She says: “We eventually decided on canning our artesian spring water in 330ml aluminium cans, choosing aluminium cans over other plastic-free alternatives due to its sustainability. Whereas other options they looked at degrade each time they are recycled, aluminium does not. It keeps its quality every time it is recycled meaning cans recycle forever.”

In January 2021, Swithland Spring Water installed a canning line just a few metres from the spring. Their water is available in both still and sparkling and the cans are boxed in plastic-free outer packaging sourced from Leicestershire based Harley’s boxes, keeping the carbon footprint of the product as low as possible.

Jennie Garratt adds: “The 18.9 litre side of the business also continues strongly. In common with other WHA Members, the bottles are reused over 40 times before being responsibly recycled.”

Swithland Spring is a sustainable water business and a great example of how WHA member companies put sustainability at the top of their priorities.

#sustainable #hydration #Leicestershire #sustainablepackaging

www.swithlandspringwater.co.uk

WHA funds new Just a Drop borehole in Africa

Posted on 25th April 202225th April 2022 by Phillipa ClowPosted in Charity, Hydration, News, Press Release, UncategorisedLeave a Comment on WHA funds new Just a Drop borehole in Africa

 

The Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA) has funded a new borehole construction project to bring safe, hygienic water to a village in Africa, by donating to the charity, Just a Drop.

The charity has used monies raised by WHA members to build a borehole that is already transforming the lives of nearly 300 people in Machilika Village in Zambia. This is the 6th such borehole programme funded by the industry.

Until now, the Machilika community’s main source of water was a well that would often run dry, forcing people to draw water from a stream using unsanitary containers. During the dry season, people had to walk up to 5 kilometres to fetch vital water – taking up to 2 hours to obtain this basic commodity. Now it takes just 20 minutes.

The water from both the stream and the well caused water-borne disease. Children were often too unwell to attend school and adults were prone to illness preventing them from earning a living.

Work on building the borehole began in June 2021 and the project management team has also installed a hand pump and provided training for the people in the village. The training includes maintenance, sanitation awareness, and financial management.

The WHA’s general manager, Philippa Atkinson-Clow, said: “We are delighted to support this cause. One of our sector’s previous associations, the BWCA, began this support programme, and when it merged with another association, EDWCA, to form the WHA I was delighted that our new Executive Council decided to carry on the good work. As a trade association, members have not only raised money through the WHA for Just a Drop but have inspired a ‘ripple effect’ with several initiating their own projects for the charity.”

Jon Wicks, WHA chairman, said: “In the UK, access to clean water is taken for granted. I am proud of our industry for responding to fund-raising challenges enabling us to build another borehole. It means that another village community is now healthier and avoid the risk of drinking contaminated water; children can spend time at school because they are sick less often and because they don’t have to collect water; and adults in the village can avoid spending so many hours every year fetching water. ‘Just a drop’ of water is so much more than just a health-giving drink: initiatives like this transform lives by increasing educational and economic opportunities and improving well-being for all. I thank our members for their generosity especially at a time when business has been challenging. I am proud of what we’ve achieved so far.”

Fiona Jeffery OBE, founder of Just a Drop, said: “We are delighted to be working with the WHA to enable more communities in Zambia to access safe water. Their support is truly making a huge difference.”

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  • Find a WHA member for healthy hydration
  • New Deputy Chairman for the WHA – Mark Cross
  • Sustainable business in the can for WHA member, Swithland Spring Water
  • Record growth for water dispensers sector in 2021
  • WHA funds new Just a Drop borehole in Africa

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    In Our Blog

    • Find a WHA member for healthy hydration 17th May 2022
    • New Deputy Chairman for the WHA – Mark Cross 16th May 2022
    • Sustainable business in the can for WHA member, Swithland Spring Water 3rd May 2022
    • Record growth for water dispensers sector in 2021 25th April 2022
    • WHA funds new Just a Drop borehole in Africa 25th April 2022

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