Al Ain Water expands production capacity by 60 per cent

New facility to produce 52 million cases of bottled water per year

Al Ain, UAE 30 October 2014 - In a bid to meet rising demand, Al Ain Food & Beverages (P.J.S.C), one of the largest bottled drinking water manufacturers in the UAE, has expanded its production for Al Ain Water. With the new facility, the capacity will increase from 32 million cases to 52 million cases of bottled water a year, thus boosting production by 60 per cent.  

“The bottled water market is growing at an unprecedented scale across the Middle East region, and with UAE rapidly progressing, our new, long-term manufacturing strategy is to constantly meet rising demand,” says Fasahat Beg - Executive Vice President of Agthia Consumer Business Division. “We are a recognized leader in the market, and with Agthia making a total investment of approximately AED 90 million in this facility, we fully expect to increase our share of the domestic market and continue to consolidate our position.”

Al Ain Water’s state-of-the-art production facility, is the first in the UAE and among the first in the region to receive the FSSC 22000 certification by LRQA. The FSSC 22000 is the latest Food Safety Standard based on the FSMS (Food Safety Management System) requirements and the PAS 220 (Publicly Available Specification). 

The new bottling plant at the ISO 90001:22000:14000, OHSAS: 18000 certified Al Ain Food & Beverages factory boasts state-of-the-art machinery and one of the fastest and most highly utilized lines in the Middle East. The new High Speed Line from Krones, Germany produces about 72,000 bottles/hour which works out to approx. 1 carton/sec. The bottles and caps use approx. 30% less plastic than conventional bottles in the market thereby being easier on the environment.

Contemporary bottle design
As part of its new strategy, the company has also redesigned the shape of the Al Ain Water bottle to suit the changing needs and preferences of its growing consumer base. The new lightweight bottle has been carefully engineered in response to consumer preferences for a contemporary and eco-friendly bottle with an ‘easy to hold’ shape. The innovative bottles and caps designs are more eco-friendly using approx. 30% less PET and plastic in the bottle and cap, which reduces waste and makes it easier on the environment.

Reiterating the importance of striking the right balance, Fasahat adds, “Al Ain Water is a modern brand having broad acceptance and loyalty across segments in the UAE’s ever changing and diverse landscape.”

New Marketing Campaign
The low gram, high quality, very consumer friendly bottle is being support by Al Ain Water’s new ‘Keeps You Moving’ campaign, which positions Al Ain Water as a brand with an attitude of uncompromising quality and heritage, making it ‘your trusted companion’. It is the most balanced bottled water with an optimal composition of essential minerals your body requires to keep you moving. 

ESMA Accreditation
Al Ain Water is among the first bottled water companies to receive the Emirates Quality Mark and its newly launched bottles already carry this quality mark. This accreditation is mandatory for all bottled water companies in the UAE. The accreditation augments Al Ain Water’s already high quality standards and is represented by several quality other awards including the ‘Award of Appreciation’ from SKEA (Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award) and the Middle East Bottled Water Suppliers Excellence Award 2014 to name a few.

FSSC 22000 Accreditation
Al Ain Water’s state-of-the-art production facility, is the first in the UAE and among the first in the region to receive the FSSC 22000 certification by LRQA. The FSSC 22000 is the latest Food Safety Standard based on the FSMS (Food Safety Management System) requirements and the PAS 220 (Publicly Available Specification). It is fully recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and accreditation bodies around the world. The FSSC 22000 certification compliance, demonstrates that Al Ain Water has a robust system that meets customer and consumer requirements in Food Safety Management System. The factory is also ISO 90001:22000:14000 and OHSAS:18000 certified and uses fully automated manufacturing processes, that have been widely acknowledged as one of the best in the region. The factory boasts a modern laboratory with the latest water-testing equipment and packaging material to ensure that products of the highest quality are manufactured. 

Al Ain Water’s new bottle, is available in all leading retail outlets, and comes in 3 different formats - a 330ml bottle, a 500ml bottle and a 1.5 litre bottle.