The Alkaline Water Company Expands Production with AZ Custom Bottled Water, LLC

Rhea-AI Summary

The Alkaline Water Company (NASDAQ: WTER) has announced a new co-packing partnership with AZ Custom Bottled Water to enhance its production capabilities. This partnership aims to support the growing demand for the Alkaline88® FreshCap™ functional beverage line and other water products. AZ Custom Water, which began manufacturing for the company in 2021, is expected to play a key role in production on the West Coast, bolstering supply chain efficiency while meeting market demand.

Positive

• New co-packing partnership with AZ Custom Bottled Water will enhance production capabilities.
• AZ Custom Water will support the full portfolio of water products, including FreshCap™ beverages.
• Partnership expected to strengthen market presence in the Southwest and West Coast.

Negative

• None.

New Co-packing Partnership Will Include a FreshCap™ Functional Beverage Line

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, announced significant new production capacity through new co-packing partner, AZ Custom Bottled Water, LLC (“AZ Custom Water”). AZ Custom Water completed a new packaging and bottling line in 2021 and is further expanding capacity and capabilities in 2022.

“Over the past two years, our strategic network of copackers has allowed us to produce and deliver when many of our competitors could not,” said Ricky Wright, President and CEO of The Alkaline Water Company. “Now, with the addition of AZ Custom Water and their production capabilities, we are further strengthening our position in the Southwest. This year, AZ Custom Water will be an important producer of our entire portfolio of water products, including being our west coast supplier for our growing line of Alkaline88® FreshCap™ functional beverages. As we grow, we are finding the need for multiple bottlers in strategic markets. AZ Custom Water began to manufacture for us in 2021 and have already proven to be great partners. As they further increase production, we expect them to be a significant co-packing partner for years to come.”

“It's great to work with together with Alkaline88 as they continue to grow their national footprint,” said Ms. Kathryn Gavin, President and CEO of AZ Custom Bottle Water, LLC. “The production capacity AZ Custom Water provides will help their brand continue to deliver and meet fulfillment when other brands cannot. We’ll work together to stay ahead of demand as Alkaline88 continues to carve out more market share in the Southwest and other markets.”

About AZ Custom Bottled Water, LLC:

Hiru Corp., a Georgia corporation, is a public quoted Pink Sheet issuer under the ticker symbol "HIRU". HIRU reports as an alternative reporting issuer with OTC Markets Group, Inc. and is current in its mandatory required filings (e.g., Pink Sheet Current). Currently, HIRU has one wholly owned, operational subsidiary, AZ Custom Bottled Water, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("AZ Water"), which owns and operates a commercial water bottling and labeling facility based in Phoenix, Arizona. AZ Water operates a B2C website at https://azcustombottledwater.com/.

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 balanced alkaline drinking water with trace minerals and electrolytes and boasts our trademarked label “Clean Beverage.” 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.

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 this year, AZ Custom Water will be an important producer of the Company’s entire portfolio of water products; that as AZ Custom Water increases production, the Company expects it to be a significant co-packing partner for years to come; and that the production capacity AZ Custom Water provides will help the Company’s brand continue to deliver and meet fulfillment when other brands cannot.

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/20220324005305/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 the new partnership for The Alkaline Water Company (WTER)?

The new partnership with AZ Custom Bottled Water aims to enhance production capacity, supporting the growth of the Alkaline88® FreshCap™ functional beverage line.

How will AZ Custom Bottled Water support The Alkaline Water Company in 2022?

AZ Custom Bottled Water is expected to be a key producer for The Alkaline Water Company's entire portfolio, especially on the West Coast.

When did AZ Custom Bottled Water start manufacturing for The Alkaline Water Company?

AZ Custom Bottled Water began manufacturing for The Alkaline Water Company in 2021.