BOTTLED WATER INDUSTRY ANNOUNCES
2003 AWARDS WINNERS

1700 Diagonal Road, Suite 650
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-683-5213
Fax: 703-683-4074
Web: www.bottledwater.org

The Bottled Water Industry Announces 2003 Award Winners
at IBWA’s 45th Annual Convention and Trade Show
Part of the Worldwide Food Expo ’03

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Bottled Water Hall of Fame, the IBWA 2003 Aqua Awards, and the IBWA 2003 Route Salesperson of the Year Awards were all announced during the International Bottled Water Association’s (IBWA) 45th Annual Convention and Trade Show in Chicago, IL, October 29-November 1, 2003. These awards recognize excellence within the bottled water industry and the IBWA membership.

Bottled Water Hall of Fame
The Bottled Water Hall of Fame, sponsored by Beverage World magazine, is a prestigious award that honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the bottled water industry and who have distinguished themselves through participation in charitable and civic activities. Kevin Francella, publisher of Beverage World magazine, presented this year’s Hall of Fame award to Richard (Rick) Hess, Hess Machine International, and F. Davis Raupe (posthumously), Eureka Water Company.

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, Rick 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.

Rick has also 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, OK. 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. Raupe's abilities were not just limited to bottled water.

He served on numerous boards in other industries, including banking and several other social organizations. According to George Schmitt, also of Eureka Water, and longtime friend, Raupe “cared deeply about both his customers and his employees.” Steven D. Raupe accepted on behalf of his father.

IBWA Aqua Awards
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, CA, 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, which were 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.

Web site:

Medium – Polaris Water Co./Whistler Water

Supplier Marketing:

Cosmetal

Best Overall Entry:

Whistler Water – Web site

IBWA 2003 Route Salesperson of the Year Awards

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).

Please contact IBWA if you would like additional information and/or photos of the winners.

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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. Strengthened by IBWA Model Code, the Association is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, and state governments to set stringent standards for safe, high quality bottled water products. Consumers can contact IBWA at 1-800-WATER-11 or log onto IBWA's web site (www.bottledwater.org) for more information about bottled water and a list of members' brands. Media inquiries can be directed to Gwen Haynes at 703-683-5213.

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