The Alkaline Water Company Enters Direct-Store-Delivery Partnership with Heidelberg Distributing in Ohio and Kentucky

Rhea-AI Summary

The Alkaline Water Company (NASDAQ: WTER) announces a new Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) partnership with Heidelberg Distributing in Ohio and Kentucky. This collaboration aims to enhance brand presence and drive growth, targeting a market of approximately 16 million consumers.

With Heidelberg's extensive distribution network serving around 26,000 retailers, the partnership is expected to yield immediate results as Alkaline88® expands its footprint. The company also plans to open a new co-packing facility in the region, further optimizing production and distribution.

Positive

• New DSD partnership with Heidelberg Distributing enhances distribution in Ohio and Kentucky.
• Access to a market of approximately 16 million people.
• Heidelberg serves around 26,000 retailers, boosting Alkaline88's reach.
• Expected immediate results from the partnership as new retail clients are added.
• Plans to open a new co-packing facility to support growth.

Negative

• None.

Alkaline88®’s DSD Network Continues to Grow to Drive Brand Expansion

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Alkaline Water Company Inc. (NASDAQ and CSE: WTER) (the “Company”), the country’s largest independent alkaline water company and the Clean Beverage^® company, is pleased to announce a new Direct-Store-Delivery (DSD) partnership with Dayton Heidelberg Distributing and Heidelberg Distributing of Northern Kentucky (collectively, “Heidelberg”). Heidelberg will distribute Alkaline88^® products throughout Ohio and Kentucky as the Company’s DSD network continues to grow in strategic markets around the country.

“As our existing DSD network continues to exceed expectations and drive brand growth, we are pleased to announce Alkaline88’s strategic partnership Heidelberg Distributing in Ohio and Kentucky,” said Frank Lazaran, President and CEO of The Alkaline Water Company. “Heidelberg has over 80 years of experience and provides service to approximately 26,000 retailers throughout Ohio and Kentucky which have a combined population of approximately 16 million people. This is a region of the country where we see great potential to continue to gain market share. As our sales team gains more retail doors in the region, having a premier DSD partner like Heidelberg boosts our initial product rollout and will enhance our brand presence in stores. This partnership will bear fruit almost immediately as we continue to add new major retail clients in the region.

“The continued growth of Alkaline88 in the Midwest and neighboring states will be supported by a new co-packer in the region, which we will announce in the coming weeks. Opening a new strategically located co-packer and partnering with Heidelberg Distributing demonstrate the ways The Alkaline Water Company continues to optimize operations by enhancing both production and distribution.”

About The Alkaline Water Company:

The Alkaline Water Company is the Clean Beverage^® company making a difference in the water you drink and the world we share.

Founded in 2012, The Alkaline Water Company (NASDAQ and CSE: WTER) is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. Its flagship product, Alkaline88®, is a leading premier alkaline water brand available in bulk and single-serve sizes along with eco-friendly aluminum packaging options. With its innovative, state-of-the-art proprietary electrolysis process, Alkaline88® delivers perfect 8.8 pH alkaline drinking water with trace minerals and electrolytes and boasts our trademarked “Clean Beverage” label. In 2021, The Alkaline Water Company was pleased to welcome Shaquille O’Neal to its board of advisors and to serve as the celebrity brand ambassador for Alkaline88^®.

To purchase The Alkaline Water Company’s products online, visit us at www.alkaline88.com.

To learn more about The Alkaline Water Company, please visit www.thealkalinewaterco.com or connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

About Heidelberg Distributing:

Heidelberg Distributing Company started in 1938 in Dayton, Ohio by founder Albert W. Vontz with one truck and has grown to the largest wine, beer, and spirits distributor in the state. The Heidelberg family of companies is comprised of nine warehouses and office facilities located in Cincinnati, Ohio Valley, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Lorain, Toledo, Youngstown and Northern Kentucky. They continue to proudly distribute the finest beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages to approximately 26,000 clients including restaurants, bars and retailers across Ohio and Kentucky.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements.” Statements in this news release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, that Ohio and Kentucky are a region of the country where the Company sees great potential to continue to gain market share; that having a premier DSD partner like Heidelberg will enhance the Company’s brand presence in stores; that the partnership with Heidelberg will bear fruit almost immediately as the Company continues to add new major retail clients in the region; and that the continued growth of Alkaline88 in the Midwest and neighboring states will be supported by a new co-packer in the region, which the Company will announce in the coming weeks.

The material assumptions supporting these forward-looking statements include, among others, that the demand for the Company’s products will continue to significantly grow; that the past production capacity of the Company’s co-packing facilities can be maintained or increased; that there will be increased production capacity through implementation of new production facilities, new co-packers and new technology; that there will be an increase in number of products available for sale to retailers and consumers; that there will be an expansion in geographical areas by national retailers carrying the Company’s products; that there will be an expansion into new national and regional grocery retailers; that there will be an expansion into new e-commerce, home delivery, convenience, and healthy food channels; that there will not be interruptions on production of the Company’s products; that there will not be a recall of products due to unintended contamination or other adverse events relating to the Company’s products; and that the Company will be able to obtain additional capital to meet the Company’s growing demand and satisfy the capital expenditure requirements needed to increase production and support sales activity. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, governmental regulations being implemented regarding the production and sale of alkaline water or any other products; additional competitors selling alkaline water and enhanced water products in bulk containers reducing the Company’s sales; the fact that the Company does not own or operate any of its production facilities and that co-packers may not renew current agreements and/or not satisfy increased production quotas; the fact that the Company has a limited number of suppliers of its unique bulk bottles; the potential for supply-chain interruption due to factors beyond the Company’s control; the fact that there may be a recall of products due to unintended contamination; the inherent uncertainties associated with operating as an early stage company; changes in customer demand and the fact that consumers may not embrace enhanced water products as expected or at all; the extent to which the Company is successful in gaining new long-term relationships with new retailers and retaining existing relationships with retailers; the Company’s ability to raise the additional funding that it will need to continue to pursue its business, planned capital expansion and sales activity; and competition in the industry in which the Company operates and market conditions. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and Canada. Although the Company believes that any beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions will prove to be accurate. Readers should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in the reports and other documents the Company files with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov, and on the SEDAR, available at www.sedar.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220616005284/en/

The Alkaline Water Company Inc.

Jeff Wright

Director of Investor Relations

866-242-0240

investors@thealkalinewaterco.com

Media

Jessica Starman

888-461-2233

jessica@elev8newmedia.com

Source: The Alkaline Water Company Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of WTER's new partnership with Heidelberg Distributing?

WTER's new partnership with Heidelberg Distributing expands its distribution network in Ohio and Kentucky, targeting a consumer base of approximately 16 million.

How many retailers will distribute Alkaline88® products in the new partnership?

Heidelberg Distributing services around 26,000 retailers across Ohio and Kentucky.

What are the expected outcomes from the partnership with Heidelberg for WTER?

The partnership is expected to yield immediate results in brand presence and sales growth as Alkaline88® gains new retail clients.

Is WTER planning any new facilities to support its growth?

Yes, WTER plans to open a new co-packing facility in the region to optimize production and distribution.