The Bottled Water Hall of Fame, the IBWA 2003 Aqua Awards, and the IBWA 2003 Route Salesperson of the Year Awards were announced during the International Bottled Water Association's (IBWA) 45th Annual Convention and Trade Show held recently in Chicago. These awards recognize excellence within the bottled water industry and the IBWA membership.
This year's Hall of Fame award went to Richard (Rick) Hess, Hess Machine International, and F. Davis Raupe (posthumously), Eureka Water Company. The Bottled Water Hall of Fame is a prestigious award honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the bottled water industry and who have distinguished themselves through participation in charitable and civic activities.
Rick Hess has dedicated his career to the bottled water industry, as both a supplier and a bottler. He has a depth of knowledge of the international market, and has traveled extensively on behalf of the bottled water industry. As president of Hess Machine International, Hess manages the company's technological growth, expanding the distribution of their ozone water disinfection system throughout the world. He is considered to be one of the foremost technical experts in the field of ozone purification.
Hess also has been a successful bottler. As president of the Ephrata Diamond Spring Water Company, he drove the growth and success of the family-owned business from 50 employees and annual sales of $4 million in 1972, to 185 employees and annual sales of $22 million in 1998, when Ephrata Diamond Spring Water Company was sold to McKesson Water Products. Along with serving as Chairman of IBWA from 1993-1994, Rick belonged to several business and social organizations. Bill Bell, Tyler Mountain Water Co., acknowledged Rick as "always on top of his game, prepared and an astute judge of the business situation."
The late F. Davis Raupe was the owner and chief executive officer of Eureka Water Company and a native of Oklahoma City, Okla. When Raupe first purchased Eureka Water, he had a total of seven employees and was bottling out of an 8,000-square-foot facility. Upon his death in 1998, Raupe had expanded the company to over 80,000 square feet in downtown Oklahoma City, employing more than 60 people. Within five years of buying Eureka Water Co., Raupe became the chairman of the American Bottled Water Association (today known as IBWA) and served from 1976-1977.
The IBWA Aqua Awards acknowledged the best in advertising and public relations programs produced by IBWA member companies in 2003. For the second consecutive year, the "Best of Show" Award was presented to the San Manuel Bottled Water Group, Highland, Calif., in recognition of their outstanding and creative contributions in the numerous marketing, public relations and advertising categories.
All of the 2003 Aqua Awards winners were displayed at the IBWA membership booth, located on the trade show floor, for the duration of the Trade Show and Convention. The other winners of the 2003 Aqua Awards, chosen from small, medium and large company categories, were:
TV, Outdoor Adv., Vehicle Adv., Special Events, Public Relations, Point of Purchase, Best Overall Campaign:
Medium -- San Manuel Bottled Water Group
Radio:
Medium -- San Manuel Bottled Water Group
Large -- Crystal Springs/Suntory Water Group, Inc.
Label Design:
Medium -- Polaris Water Co./Whistler Water
Large -- Belmont Springs/Suntory Water Group, Inc.
Package Design:
Medium -- San Manuel Bottled Water Group
Large -- Suntory Water Group, Inc.
Direct Mail and Literature:
Medium -- Blue Hills Spring Water Co. Inc./Monadnock Mountain
Large -- Mountain Valley Spring Water Co.
Website:
Medium -- Polaris Water Co./Whistler Water
Supplier Marketing:
Cosmetal
Best Overall Entry:
Whistler Water -- Web site
IBWA also honored the two winners of the 2003 Route Salesperson of the Year Awards. Both of the winners demonstrated an unyielding work ethic and strong interpersonal skills, which made them stand above the crowd while maintaining their successful bottled water delivery routes. The 2003 Route Salespersons of the Year are: Christopher C. Baggett, Cohutta Water, Inc. (Medium Company), and Tim Shanahan, Culligan (Large Company).
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters. Founded in 1958, IBWA's membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers.
Source: International Bottled Water Association
