If it’s Monday, it means I’m usually travelling to either Brussels, or one week every month, to Strasbourg. I try to travel by train as much as possible, at least 1 in 4 journeys, but today I was flying to Brussels from Cardiff via Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport.
As I made my way through Shiphol’s shopping mall to catch my connecting flight to Brussels, I was pleased to see a prominent sales display for Ty Nant mineral water advertising proclaiming it a “Must buy!” But nowhere did it mention that Ty Nant was Welsh.
As far as the legions of people passing through that part of the airport were concerned (Schiphol is the world’s third largest in terms of international passenger traffic!), Ty Nant water could have been produced anywhere.
Wales is missing a huge promotional opportunity here. I decided I would write to Ty Nant when I got to Brussels pointing this out. Imagine my surprise when during my flight I was served with a carton of orange juice, made by a Wrexham-based company called, ‘Calypso.’ I checked the container, but nowhere could I find, ‘Made in Wales, only a postcode.
Striking a deal to supply one of the world major airlines, or having your product displayed in one of the world’s largest airports is a real achievement and I congratulate the companies on their success. But I will also be reminding them that we produce quality products in Wales and we should let the world know!
September 29, 2009 at 3:06 pm |
The flipside of that of course is the huge environmental impact of transporting bottled water, Welsh or otherwise, halfway around the world. Shouldn’t we just be getting more public water fountains everywhere and encouraging people to carry a bottle to fill with tap water?
September 29, 2009 at 3:24 pm |
OK, Sue. If it was a level playing field enforced by law, that would be fine. But why should Welsh products and workers lose out to others who will take the business? Jill Evans is right.
October 2, 2009 at 11:40 pm |
Pelagius: I’ve nothing against it being clearly labelled as coming from Wales, just think it makes better sense environmentally if we all drink water from the country we are in, and preferably from the tap, not stuff bottled and shipped across the world – buying Welsh/French/Irish water in New York is a crazy concept, in my opinion.
September 29, 2009 at 6:50 pm |
I think Jill’s point is well made. All products made in Wales should be clearly labelled. This helps shops and customers here too. Good luck with your campaign.
September 29, 2009 at 8:34 pm |
This has its downside though. Exxon Mobil’s latest global TV advert brags about their LNG terminal in Wales!
October 1, 2009 at 4:19 pm |
Jill, I thought I would save you the need to write to Ty Nant as I picked up your blog care of google alerts.
I am delighted that our brand is prominently displayed at the worlds number 3 airport. Unfortunately I can’t say the same for Cardiff whose retail outlets continue to stock brands from outstide of Wales. Some influence here would be greatly appreciated as we would love to sell more of our wonderful naturally produced product nearer home.
Actually all our packaging states that Ty Nant Natural Mineral Water is from Wales of which we are very proud. Our outer packaging also carries a red dragon.
We fully agree that we produce quality products in Wales and have been supporting local rural jobs by extolling these virtues around the world for 20 years now!
October 2, 2009 at 9:27 am |
I’ve seen Ty Nant labelled as English in New York. I told the store manager his point of sale advertising was wrong but he wasn’t interested! :-s