International Bottled Water Association | NEWS RELEASE | November 20, 2014
Niagara Bottling Founder Inducted Into the Beverage World Bottled Water Hall of Fame
Dallas, TX – Beverage World magazine and the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) have inducted Andrew Peykoff, Sr. into the Beverage World Bottled Water Hall of Fame during the 2014 IBWA Annual Business Conference in Dallas, Texas, held November 10-14.
Mr. Peykoff, founder and chairman of the board of directors at Niagara Bottling, LLC., is a true rags to riches self-made success story within the bottled water industry. Born the son of Macedonian immigrants, Mr. Peykoff carried 5-gallon glass bottles door to door when he started his bottled water business some 51 years ago.
“I was the chief cook and bottle washer, salesman, route driver, and mechanic,” said Mr. Peykoff to an audience of 300 IBWA members at the organization’s general session.
“I had very little money and a family to feed. I worked late most nights for many years. That’s what it took. Give it your best or give up ––– and giving up was not in my DNA.”
Today, Niagara Bottling, LLC is the largest family-owned bottled water company in the United States.
“We are a technology leader –– we have light-weighted bottles and caps and pioneered many other innovations including our nested packs, which has reduced the use of corrugated cardboard and has saved millions of trees,” Mr. Peykoff said. “Our phenomenal successes would not be possible without our great people.”
“It’s our DNA to every day do business the right way and to give back to our communities. Here are some things our people are very proud of: we have built parks, fed the homeless, and created our own multi-million dollar charity called ‘Niagara Cares.’”
In a letter to the Hall of Fame nominating committee, Dr. Andrew Eaton, Eurofins Eaton Analytical, Inc. vice-president and IBWA board member, wrote that Mr. Peykoff’s efforts to reduce packaging had had a ripple effect throughout the industry. “Mr. Peykoff knew that Niagara could do better and has since driven over a 50% reduction in plastic… (and) with the launch of the nested pack in 2011, once again he has challenged the market to reduce packaging.”
IBWA and Beverage World magazine have inducted 37 bottled water executives into the Bottled Water Hall of Fame. This exclusive group of individuals has shown devotion, creativity, and love for the bottled water industry above and beyond the call of duty. In addition, their association with the industry and civic and charitable activities exceed those of the average business person. In short, Hall of Fame inductees are those who have earned the respect and admiration of their peers for their extraordinary service to the bottled water industry.
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Media Contact:
Jill Culora
jculora@bottledwater.org
703.647.4609
The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is the authoritative source of information about all types of bottled waters, including spring, mineral, purified, artesian, and sparkling. Founded in 1958, IBWA’s membership includes U.S. and international bottlers, distributors and suppliers. IBWA is committed to working with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates bottled water as a packaged food product, to set comprehensive and stringent standards for safe, high-quality bottled water products.
In addition to FDA regulations, IBWA member bottlers must adhere to the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice, which mandates additional standards and practices that in some cases are more stringent than federal and state regulations. A key feature of the IBWA Bottled Water Code of Practice is a mandatory annual plant inspection by an independent, third-party organization.
IBWA is proud to be a partner with Keep America Beautiful and a supporter of Drink Up, an initiative of former First Lady Michelle Obama and the Partnership for a Healthier America (PHA), which encourages Americans to drink more water more often – whether from the tap, a filter, or in a bottle. Choosing water is always the healthy choice.
