FIJI Water is a U.S.-based business and brand of bottled water

Bottled water

Bottled water is drinking water packaged in plastic or glass water bottles. Bottled water may be carbonated or not...

 derived, bottled, and shipped from the Fiji Islands. It is available in 330ml, 500ml, 1 liter and 1.5 liter bottles. According to marketing materials, the water comes from an artesian aquifer

Artesian aquifer

An artesian aquifer is a confined aquifer containing groundwater under positive pressure. This causes the water level in a well to rise to a point where hydrostatic equilibrium has been reached. This type of well is called an artesian well...

 in the Yaqara Valley of Viti Levu

Viti Levu

Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, the site of the nation's capital, Suva, and home to a large majority of Fiji's population.- Geography and economy :...

.

History

FIJI Water was started in 1996 by David Gilmour, one-time partner in Clairtone Sound Corporation Limited

Clairtone Sound Corporation Limited

Clairtone Sound Corporation Limited was a manufacturer of high-quality sound electronics and accessories based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1958 by Canadian-Hungarian electronics engineer and businessman Peter Munk with furniture designer David Gilmour, the company established an...

. Wealthy industrial agriculture couple Stewart and Lynda Rae Resnick

Lynda Resnick

Lynda Rae Resnick is an American entrepreneur and businesswoman. Resnick is married to Stewart A. Resnick, who is also her business partner. Through their holding company they own the POM Wonderful and FIJI Water brands, the Teleflora floral wire service company, large industrial citrus and nut...

 (also affiliated with Teleflora

Teleflora

Teleflora is a floral wire service company which brokers orders to local florists for delivery. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, it offers what it describes as florist-to-florist clearinghouse services; these enable sale and delivery of eligible products to be independent of one another....

, POM Wonderful

POM Wonderful

POM Wonderful, LLC is a privately owned company which markets an eponymous brand of beverages and fruit extracts. It was founded in 2002 by the billionaire industrial agriculture couple Stewart and Lynda Rae Resnick. They are also affiliated with the companies Teleflora, FIJI Water, pesticide...

, Suterra, and Paramount Agribusiness) are the current owners.

In late 2010 FIJI Water acquired JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery of Paso Robles, California, in an effort to leverage their brand over a wider variety of products. JUSTIN is known best for producing California style Bordeaux and Syrah wines distributed throughout the world.

In Fiji

In 2007-2008, disputes with the Fiji government over export duties led to legal cases, impounded shipments and a self-imposed industry-wide shutdown of Fijian water bottlers. The government eventually dropped its proposed 20-cent per liter tax. In December 2008, FIJI Water laid off 40% of its staff due to weakening sales.

In November 2010, Fiji deported Fiji Water director of external affairs, David Roth, for "interfering in Fiji’s domestic affairs," leading to the resignation of interim defence and immigration minister, Ratu Epeli Ganilau. Shortly afterwards, an increase in the tax from one third of a Fiji cent per liter to 15 cents per liter for producers over 15 million liters/month which at that point in time applied only to Fiji Water, led the company to shut down its Fiji Island offices on November 29, 2010. This raise was to raise Fiji Water's tax contribution on to the Fiji Government on the F$150 million (AUD 82 million) they exported each year from F$500,000 to F$22.6 million . The next step for the brand was thought to be a move to New Zealand. However, after threats from the government to give the well to another company, the Fiji Water announced its intent to resume operations and accept the new tax levy.

In December 2010, Fiji Water's Fiji plant had 400 employees Fiji Water has also established a foundation to provide water filters to Fiji communities, many of which lack access to clean water.

External links

• FIJI Water
• Ask Pablo - "Cost of Fiji Water" - an article which triggered controversy