The Spadel Group, with its flagship product of bottled water, has signed a cooperation partnership with the Dutch food group Sligro, which has just opened a training centre designed for the sector's professionals.  Its aim is to enter the hotels, restaurants and cafés (hospitality) market in the Netherlands.

Originating in Spa, the Spadel Group has around a 30% market share in the mass distribution sector in the Netherlands, but is a relatively minor player in the hospitality industry. In order to remedy this, Spadel's CEO, Marc du Bois, signed a contract in Amsterdam with the Dutch food group, Sligro. This agreement establishes a training facility for food professionals with courses in food, wine and water, and on combining these products. This centre was opened last week in Veghel, an event attended by Queen Mathilde which brought the Royal Couple's three-day visit to the Netherlands to a close.

Spadel will give the "water" component of the courses on offer and will have the opportunity to present its entire product range.

In practical terms, this will mean "informing the participants (chefs, restaurant and hotel managers, etc.) about the importance of water", explained Jean-Benoît Schrans, Communication Director at Spadel. Several themes will be covered: "the importance of optimum hydration", "quality" and the characteristics ("stability in its composition") of a natural mineral water "like Spa", and suggesting the right choice of water depending on the composition of the menu.

"Like wine, water makes a difference to food and can alter its taste," commented Jean-Benoît Schrans. "It is particularly important to be able to choose between a still, sparkling or slightly sparkling water."

Today, Belgians drink on average 124 litres of bottled water a year. The Dutch drink only 23-24 litres. The Dutch market therefore has great potential for Spadel which intends to continue the search for new customers among our neighbours.

Source: Le Soir