LOUISVILLE, CO--(Marketwire - May 21, 2008) -
-- Shipments Growing Steadily as Company Adds New Retailers and
Distributors
-- Company Adds Two New Flavors, Growing the Full Line to Six Flavors
Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc. (
OTCBB:
ELDO) today announced increasing
shipments of its recently introduced Organic Vitamin Charged Spring Water
as major new retail chains come onboard and consumers validate the superior
taste and unique organic component of the product as compared with
competing vitamin enhanced waters.
The new Organic Vitamin Charged Spring Water, which was recently the
subject of a feature story on CNBC's PowerLunch program (a replay of the
video is available at
http://www.eldoradosprings.com), is now available
throughout Colorado and in portions of surrounding states at a variety of
grocery stores, including Albertson's, Vitamin Cottage, K&G (Jenny's
Markets), and one of the nation's premier health food supermarkets.
Additionally, the product is distributed to more than 2,000 other retail
outlets, convenience stores and on-premise locations by distributors UNFI
and US Food Service.
The Company also announced it has expanded the new line to six flavors with
the recent addition of Peach/Mango and DragonFruit to the original lineup
that included Black Raspberry, Pink Passion Guava, Sicilian Orange and
Strawberry/Blueberry. The new flavors -- and soon the original four
flavors -- have been reformulated to use only 16 grams of organic cane
sugar per serving, which is high enough to preserve the drink's great
flavor but low enough to qualify for sale to students under stringent new
nutrition guidelines adopted by school districts such as the Boulder Valley
School District. The organic cane sugar, in addition to the natural spring
water, gives the product a differential competitive advantage in the
fastest growing segment of the bottled water business.
"We are very pleased with initial market acceptance of our new Eldorado
Organic Vitamin Charged Spring Water, including the growing number of small
and large retailers and distributors who have embraced the product as well
as individual consumers who recognize the superior characteristics and
taste," said Kate Janssen, VP Sales for Eldorado. "The key to gaining
market share is to educate consumers on the taste benefits of spring water
and the health benefits of organic sweetener as opposed to high fructose
alternatives. We have seen dramatic spikes in sales in retail locations
where we have conducted sampling programs and will continue to focus on
consumer communication and sampling as we ramp up sales."
Doug Larson, CEO, added, "During the first quarter ended March 31, 2008, we
graduated our production to a larger contract bottler capable of managing
growing order flow for our Organic Vitamin Charged Spring Water," said
Larson. "We are now entering phase two of our market development program,
which includes evaluating prospects for bringing all bottling operations
in-house for logistical and economic reasons. Such a move would involve a
substantial investment, which we believe would be offset by a sharp
reduction in production costs of up to 40% or more per case, resulting in
dramatically improved margins and increased marketing flexibility."
About Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc.
Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc. is a leading bottler, marketer, and
distributor of natural spring water beverages in the Rocky Mountains. The
Company's growing product portfolio includes the nation's only Organic
Vitamin Charged Spring Water, which was recently introduced in six flavors
and has generated strong market acceptance. The Company also markets
five-gallon and three-gallon bottles of water directly to homes and
businesses, national retail grocery chains, and regional distributors.
Additionally, the Company markets its water in smaller, more convenient
size packaging to retail food stores. The source of the natural spring
water is located on property owned by the Company in Eldorado Springs,
Colorado. More information about the Company can be found at
http://www.eldoradosprings.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
Some portions of this press release, particularly those describing
Eldorado's goals and strategies, contain forward-looking statements within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. While
Eldorado is working to achieve those goals and strategies, actual results
could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking
statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, including
difficulties in marketing its products and services, need for capital,
competition from other companies and other factors, any of which could have
an adverse effect on the business plans of Eldorado, its reputation in the
industry or its expected financial return from operations and results of
operations. In light of significant risks and uncertainties inherent in
forward-looking statements included herein, the inclusion of such
statements should not be regarded as a representation by Eldorado that it
will achieve such forward-looking statements. For further details and a
discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our most
recent reports on Form 10-KSB and Form 10-QSB, as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, as they may be amended from time to time. Eldorado
undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Contact Information: Contacts:
Doug Larson
Chief Executive Officer
Eldorado Artesian Springs, Inc.
303-499-1316
Jay Pfeiffer
Pfeiffer High Investor Relations, Inc.
303-393-7044