The Alkaline Water Company (NASDAQ: WTER) is a beverage company that markets and sells alkaline water and sports drinks under the Alkaline88 brand. Revenue comes from transactional product sales through national distributors and direct retail accounts. The company, founded in 2012 and headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, does not own or operate any bottling or co-packing facilities, relying entirely on third-party co-packers for production. Alkaline88 bottled water is available in over 75,000 stores across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean (as of the 10-K filed August 17, 2023). Distribution runs through large national distributors including UNFI, KeHE, C&S, and Core-Mark, which together cover more than 150,000 retail outlets, as well as direct-to-retail and Direct Store Distributor channels. The company competes directly with other alkaline water brands and indirectly with major international beverage companies. Going-concern risk is disclosed, with continued operations dependent on raising additional capital.
- Revenue model
- Transactional product sales of bottled alkaline water and sports drinks at suggested retail prices ranging from $1.19 for a 700ml single-serve to $4.99 for a one-gallon bottle (as of the 10-K filed August 17, 2023), sold through national distributors, direct retail accounts, and Direct Store Distributors.
- Products and services
- Alkaline88 bottled alkaline water in 500ml, 700ml, 1-liter, 1.5-liter, 2-liter, 3-liter, and 1-gallon sizes, including eco-friendly aluminum packaging; Alkaline88 Sports Drinks. Water is produced via a proprietary electrolysis process to 8.8 pH with trace minerals and electrolytes.
- Customers and end markets
- Retail consumers purchasing through convenience stores, natural food stores, large ethnic markets, national retailers, hotels, airports, universities, restaurants, resorts, health clubs, and national parks. Key distributor customers include UNFI, KeHE, C&S, and Core-Mark.
- Value-chain role
- Brand owner and marketer with no owned manufacturing. Third-party co-packers handle all production and bottling. The company manages distribution through national distributors and Direct Store Distributor partners.
- Geographic exposure
- United States (all 50 states and the District of Columbia), Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, with international expansion into parts of Asia under consideration (as of 10-K filed August 17, 2023).
- Competitors
- Essentia, Core, Eternal, Icelandic, AQUAHydrate, Mountain Valley, Qure, Penta, Alka Power, Real Water, The Coca-Cola Company, PepsiCo, Nestle, Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Danone, The Kraft Heinz Company, Unilever
