VALUE OF IBWA MEMBERSHIP WALTER HITCHCOCK GENERAL MANAGER LAUREL MOUNTAIN NATURAL SPRING WATER CHATTANOOGA | TN ALL ABOUT WALTER Walter has spent most of his career in the beverage industry, but he is also a proud Naval Veteran. When not working, he likes to bass fish, serves on community boards, and is active with his church. Walter loves to have a laugh and has an unassuming sense of humor that won him the “most witty” title back in high school.
When it comes to the bottled water industry trends in his town of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Laurel Mountain National Spring Water’s General Manager Walter Hitchcock has noticed a definite uptick in the number of people choosing HOD for their homes. Hitchcock attributes that development to two factors: 1) people are more health conscious and thus are choosing water over other beverages, and 2) HOD offers bottled water packaged in convenient, eco-friendly, returnable, recyclable, 5-gallon bottles. As a former route salesman and route manager for Coca-Cola, Hitchcock says his company’s IBWA membership gives him and his customers the assurance that every aspect of his products and services is about quality: “IBWA is a guiding force in all things quality. And we tout our IBWA membership in our advertisements and brochures.” Hitchcock says that when he is sourcing new equipment for his plant, he always looks to the Buyers’ Guide edition of IBWA’s Bottled Water Reporter magazine. “The Buyers’ Guide has always helped me when I want to purchase equipment, such as coolers, accessories, such as stands, etc. It has always been a tremendous help,” he says. Also helpful is the association’s weekly e-newsletter, IBWA News Splash, which Hitchcock reads and takes note of not only issues affecting him directly in Tennessee but also what is happening in other states. “What happens in another state may be coming to your state soon: issues, taxes on bottled water—there’s always something. When you are up-to-date on what is going on in Minnesota, then you realize that could happen in your state too. It just gives you a greater awareness and an opportunity to be proactive about what might be coming down the pipe.” Hitchcock says, “The information that IBWA provides totally gives a company the opportunity to stay informed and know what is happening in the industry on a weekly basis. IBWA advocates on our behalf, not only in the state seats but also in Congress and the Senate, because they are the decision makers setting legislation that will affect our industry.” Laurel Mountain Natural Spring Water, a premium award-winning bottled water distributor owned by Chattanooga Coco-Cola Bottling Company, distributes both HOD (50 percent) and single-serve PET (50 percent) bottled water. Its water source is a spring owned by J & J Waterworks, LLC.
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