East Europe - water coolers spread to 14 countries
The dramatic advance of the European water cooler industry has spread to five more countries in the East this year, according to the first Zenith Guide to Water Coolers in East Europe by specialist consultants Zenith International.
After doubling in both 1996 and 1997, cooler numbers are forecast to rise by another 90% in 1998, taking the total to 125,000 by the end of the year. "East Europe is about five years behind the West, but is growing at an even faster rate," comments Zenith Chairman Richard Hall.
The two most important countries by far are Poland and Russia, both of which are predicted to have shares around 40% at the start of 1999. The Ukraine, Czech Republic and Latvia come next with 4-5% each. The newest markets to open in 1998 are Belarus, Lithuania, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovakia. Croatia and Romania are expected to take their first serious steps next year.
"There are numerous differences between the East and West," Richard Hall elaborates. "All units in the West are electric, while almost half in the East are ceramic dispensers or have basic hand pumps. Virtually all the West’s coolers are in offices, whereas nearly half of the East’s are in homes."
The biggest East European companies rival some of the West European leaders. ClearWater Moscow and Nature Gift in Poland are already servicing more than 20,000 units, with Poland’s Apia also well past 10,000. Coolers account for a much higher share of total bottled water consumption in the East than in the West.
"Despite the recent economic downturn, we believe the number of coolers in East Europe will more than treble again in the next three years to over 400,000 in 2001," Richard Hall concludes.
The Zenith Guide to Water Coolers in East Europe contains 172 pages, 41 company profiles and 17 country profiles. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 info@zenithinternational.com.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901
After doubling in both 1996 and 1997, cooler numbers are forecast to rise by another 90% in 1998, taking the total to 125,000 by the end of the year. "East Europe is about five years behind the West, but is growing at an even faster rate," comments Zenith Chairman Richard Hall.
The two most important countries by far are Poland and Russia, both of which are predicted to have shares around 40% at the start of 1999. The Ukraine, Czech Republic and Latvia come next with 4-5% each. The newest markets to open in 1998 are Belarus, Lithuania, Macedonia, Serbia and Slovakia. Croatia and Romania are expected to take their first serious steps next year.
"There are numerous differences between the East and West," Richard Hall elaborates. "All units in the West are electric, while almost half in the East are ceramic dispensers or have basic hand pumps. Virtually all the West’s coolers are in offices, whereas nearly half of the East’s are in homes."
The biggest East European companies rival some of the West European leaders. ClearWater Moscow and Nature Gift in Poland are already servicing more than 20,000 units, with Poland’s Apia also well past 10,000. Coolers account for a much higher share of total bottled water consumption in the East than in the West.
"Despite the recent economic downturn, we believe the number of coolers in East Europe will more than treble again in the next three years to over 400,000 in 2001," Richard Hall concludes.
The Zenith Guide to Water Coolers in East Europe contains 172 pages, 41 company profiles and 17 country profiles. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900, fax +44 (0)1225 327901 info@zenithinternational.com.
Notes for Editors
1. For further information, please contact:
Richard Hall or Jason Holway, Zenith International Ltd
7 Kingsmead Square, Bath BA1 2AB, United Kingdom
Tel +44 (0)1225 327900 Fax +44 (0)1225 327901