Water-to-Go, a Bedfordshire-based filtered water bottle manufacturer has secured new distributors in New Zealand and Australia for its innovative water filtration bottles.
Founder Dave Shanks created new nano technology filters, after advancing technology that was originally developed for or the NASA space programme.
The bottles use a unique 3-in-1 filter technology -three different (1 traditional and 2 nano) technologies are forged together in one filter to remove over 99.9% of all microbiological contaminants in water.
The filter sits beneath the drinking spout of the reusable, recyclable BPA free bottles. He then saw the opportunity to export the technology globally, starting with Sweden and France.
The company now exports to 55 countries, including Mexico and India. The business plans to launch in the USA this year and already has had all materials approved by the FDA.
In 2018, the company launched in China, where the demand is high and the distributor in Shanghai, HH (Shanghai) Environment Technology Co., Ltd., continues to grow the business across China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
The expansion came about with help from an International Trade Adviser from the Department for International Trade (DIT) who was able to make in-market introductions to help with a launch event.
The business formed relationships with partners in China, which is making a big push for environmental change, particularly as it hosts the Beijing Expo 2019 where DIT is leading the UK’s participation. The UK is showcasing its capabilities in the green technology space, focusing on climate management and building a more sustainable future at the expo.
Exporting is a significant part of the company’s success and was considered from the very beginning when Shanks realised there was an opportunity to replace single-use plastic water bottles around the world, and find a way to ensure clean quality water.
Looking to the future, the business is searching out partners in sub-Saharan Africa where the need and demand for technology like this is high.
Dave Shanks, director and founder of Water-to-Go said:
“If you can talk to distributors regularly, build the relationships in the same way as you would a UK client, and think of them as an extension of your salesforce, then you will find success.”
“Our trade adviser has been invaluable and stays in constant contact with us, offering support and expertise when we are looking at new markets. When we first went to China, DIT put us in contact with CBBC for our launch event, and this has helped our business grow in market.”
The company will now continue to work with regions where the need and demand is highest and will work closely with the DTI International Trade Advisor to reach into the new markets.
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