EU expansion opening up Europes markets and heightening competition within water cooler industry

(PRWEB) August 29, 2004 -- Research and Markets announces the addition of "West Europe Water Coolers 2004" to its offering.

The European water cooler industry is entering a new phase of development. Two key issues are now presenting challenges and opportunities in Europes fastest growing service sector. EU expansion is opening up Europes markets -- heightening competition within the water cooler industry. Meanwhile, a battle is underway between bottled water coolers and mains fed point of use cooler operators.

Tracking the complex developments within Europes water cooler industry, this report tracks the influence of two bottled water giants -- Danone and Nestlé -- on the European home and office delivery (HOD) industry. Since 1999, market consolidation has radically redefined the West Europe water cooler industry, with a hardcore of pan-European and multinational cooler players vying for continental leadership. 2002 and early 2003 saw the dramatic ascent of Danone and Nestlé Waters. Since then, the level of acquisition activity has been less frenzied than in recent years, with these two players in particular focusing on restructuring their acquired portfolios.

While the European industry has become the focus of a handful of major HOD groups, an increasing variety of smaller local operators are challenging the multinationals in the delivery of water to small/medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in particular. Thus, in large offices through to smaller businesses, the water cooler opportunity remains robust.

This International reports offer you the most reliable market figures and in-depth analysis of trends. This comes from a bottom up approach to the research process, and detailed discussions undertaken with industry players.

The West Europe Water Coolers Report 2004 is broken down into 5 main sections:

1.    A full market commentary and charts provide in-depth analysis of trends in such areas as units, consumption, water types, industry structure, leading national operators and groups.

2.    Comprehensive tables look closely at the European market and each segment, covering -- consumption, unit numbers, packaging types and sizes, leading companies/producers/brands, cooler throughput, revenue indicators and forecasts to 2008.

3.    Market development charts track the origins of Europes water cooler industry to the present day.

4.    15 country profiles contain expert market interpretation and tables. Over 140 full company profiles of each countrys leading water cooler players cover company structure, sales volume, unit placements, marketing analysis and commentary.

5.    Overview commentary, tables and company profiles on smaller European cooler markets -- Cyprus, Iceland and Malta.

For a complete index of this report click on http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/222386

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