In their Words: Nestlé Waters North America Thanks the OU for 23 Years of Helping Their Brands Grow

Nestlé Waters North America Inc. (NWNA) began in 1976 with a single brand and has rapidly grown to our current status as the third largest non-alcoholic beverage company in the U.S. by volume. As Senior Packaging Manager Chet Hojnicki says, “We owe much of our success to partnerships like the one we enjoy with the Orthodox Union. More than one billion labels are printed by our company every month, and that kind of volume requires accessibility to retailers and consumers alike — without restrictions.”

“With many retailers, they can’t do business if you’re not kosher certified,” Mr. Hojnick declares. “If we release a new product, they will ask for the kosher certification. And thanks to our decades-long relationship with the OU, we’re prepared for that.”

“We take our credo seriously at NWNA: ‘Respect for each other, respect for the environment and respect for community.’  We live those words every day,
through our company culture, commitment to eliminating landfill waste and — most importantly — by showing our deep respect for the needs and concerns of the people who drink our products. We know that one of the best ways to demonstrate appreciation for observant consumers is by supplying kosher certification they can trust without question.”

“The Orthodox Union’s programs go beyond kosher certification,” Mr. Hojnicki explains. “Because of those programs, the credibility of their kosher certification program is very strong — it’s a very strong trademark. The number of programs they do and the quality of their work win them enormous respect.”

He adds, “Because of the OU’s exceptional reputation, we invite them to inspect and certify our plants, including our new, 200,000-square foot bottling facility being built in McBee, South Carolina. The OU also inspects ingredients for our flavored beverages.”

As OU rabbinic coordinator Rabbi David Bistricer says, “The OU enjoys a very close working relationship with Nestlé Waters North America. Our close cooperation has successfully provided high quality beverages to the kosher community. The relationship between the two parties is special, and we look forward to continue working together for many years to come.”