Companynews // 03/12/2010

The Gerolsteiner brand is world market leader among carbonated mineral waters

Gerolsteiner is pushing business in Japan ? sales increase of 25 percent in 2009

Gerolsteiner has achieved first place in the worldwide ranking of carbonated mineral waters and can thus justly call itself "the worlds number one natural sparkling mineral water", says Axel Dahm, management board chairman of the Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG.. Gerolsteiner takes the lead in the ranking ahead of internationally renowned brands such as Perrier, San Pellegrino and Ferrarelle (Source: International Market Research Institute Canadean).

"The international business is of important strategic significance to Gerolsteiner?, says Dahm. ?Besides the USA and the Benelux States we have managed to establish a market especially in Japan." Gerolsteiner managed to achieve a sales increase of 25 percent there in 2009. Germany's leading exporter of mineral water is planning further measures to expand business in Japan during the current year.

In Japan Gerolsteiner Sprudel has been available in 0.5-liter and 1.0 liter PET bottles since 2007, especially in Seven-Eleven-Stores - one of the biggest and most important convenience-stores in Japan. "The beginning of a success story?, says Dahm. ?Following the regional introduction of Gerolsteiner in the greater Tokio area, we gradually expanded into further options for distribution. One can now deservedly speak of a brand that is distributed on a national level in Japan."

Gerolsteiner vending machine bottle shows promising growth potential

In 2010 Gerolsteiner aims to expand into a further important Japanese channel of distribution: "There is a vending machine on every street corner in Japan so to speak. We have developed a brand new Gerolsteiner vending machine bottle especially for these popular and highly frequented beverage dispensers - a container that promises significant growth potential." Nation-wide sales of the 0.45 liter PET bottle will start May 23 2010 and will be accompanied by strong TV support. In the course of the market introduction Gerolsteiner expects a further increase in customer reach in Japan.

The Benelux Countries also show an upward trend.

"In general we are strongly pushing the internationalization of the brand in 2010, and in spite of the difficult business in the US we are expecting a significant international sales increase", thus Axel Dahm's comments on the current expansion strategy.

About the Gerolsteiner Brunnen GmbH & Co. KG: Gerolsteiner is the leading export brand amongst German mineral waters. The company is especially strong in the segment of carbonated water in glass and PET containers. Export activities are especially focused on the USA, Japan and the Benelux Countries. Further potential regions for growth are Middle and Eastern Europe, Asia and Latin America.