A LOCAL bottled-water company has won a major contract to supply spring water to Vietnam.

The board of Harrogate Water Brands decided to target export opportunities three years ago.

The new contract in the Far East follows sales to Russia and the Middle East.

It is the latest export success from the award-winning company, which decided to invest £8 million in stepping up production of its still and sparkling spring water in 2014.

Initial international success came when the business entered the airline market and developed an anti-roll bottle for easy in-flight handling. An approach by Cathay Pacific was followed by deals with Emirates and Thomson Airways.

The company, which started by building sales in the food service sector, where founding members of the sales team had expertise, receives support and advice from overseas trade specialist, Chamber International, and the Department for International Trade.

Now the company, which started production in 2002, has grown to 84 staff and a £20m turnover, of which ten per cent is generated by overseas sales.

Harrogate Water Brands export and new business development manager, Greg Hatton, said: “Accessing the Vietnamese market is another significant step in making Harrogate Spring Water a major global brand on the ground as well as in the air.

“There has been a fantastic reception from overseas since we started exporting, due to a combination of Harrogate Water’s heritage and classic presentation, through to confidence in our quality, high standards of production and environmental focus.

“Chamber International does a great job in assisting us with advice and support to ensure the smooth operation of our exports. It makes a significant contribution to our success.”

Chamber International director, Tim Bailey, said: “Harrogate Water is one of Britain’s best loved brands with a fascinating heritage and we are pleased to be supporting it in a new era of global success.”

The brand’s success in Russia was helped by its strong connections with Harrogate, which have existed since the Russian royal family were frequent visitors to the spa town to ‘take the waters’ in the late-19th century.

The first mineral water spring in Harrogate was discovered by Queen Elizabeth I’s physician who recommended its health benefits to his patients and Harrogate became known as ‘the English Spa’. The first British bottled water was produced in the town in 1740.