In 2015, AquaNew broke past production records for Watt-Ahh®. We almost produced the equivalent of 16.9 oz. (one half liter) for each resident of our home-based County (Sarasota County, FL.) with a population 379,000 based on 2015 U.S. Census data. The pallet volume produced in 2015 would fill over eleven 53’ truckloads (254 pallets). We also shipped pallets of Watt-Ahh® (600 liter bottles/pallet) as far as California.
We anticipate another double digit percent increase for 2016 and extend our appreciation to our customers and vendors for AquaNew’s growth over the last eight years.
The Ultra Pure Bottling team is our top vendor with support from co-owners, Larry Cacciatore; Domenick Traina; and his sons, Nicky and Dustin; and Lou Savinetti, front office manager; Brandy, assembly line workers; Eric, Hugh, Chris, Sean, and Troy, drivers; Lloyd and Aaron; and several others including Luis, Jessica and Rita. Does it sound like a close family-owned business? Indeed it is, with the common ground of everyone understanding what it means to work hard and maintain their long-standing pride and legacy of producing quality products each day.
About a year ago, Ultra Pure completed its installation of higher efficiency bottling production lines which was a great strategic move considering the nationwide growing demand for pure bottled water. Blow molding equipment also was installed to produce bottles onsite (a greener alternative when compared to transporting empty bottles in trucks). The resulting higher production volumes have created a space issue with a maze of stacked bottled water pallets in some areas. Forklift operators maneuver through the limited floor area while unloading bottling supplies off of – and loading product onto – trucks, on a daily basis. Ultra Pure has taken the next expansion step by recently acquiring adjacent property. Larry Cacciatore told us, ”Groundbreaking is anticipated in the near future to build a new inventory storage and distribution center.”
In the photo above, Sean Graham (l) and Nicky Traina (r) are standing beside a full pallet of Watt-Ahh® liter bottles that has been shrink wrapped and cardboard corners added for stability during transport. In the photo to the left, Watt-Ahh® liter bottles have been placed on a cardboard tray. A sheet of plastic covers the bottles before heading into the heat tunnel to shrink the wrap. To view eight more photos, please visit AquaNew’s Facebook page.
About Ultra Pure Bottling, Inc. (or Name Your Bottle): Since 2013, AquaNew has a private label “co-packer” business relationship with Ultra-Pure Bottling, Inc.. Ultra Pure, located near the Gandy Bridge in Tampa, Florida, is a leading pioneer in developing, promoting and executing the private label bottled water business since 1989. The raising nationwide demand for healthier beverages is keeping Ultra Pure’s high-speed production lines going at full capacity (six days a week) to bottle both purified and spring water for high-end wholesale clients including professional offices, medical clinics, amusement parks, and restaurants.