Guidelines For Setting Up A Mineral Water Business In Kenya

Introduction

The mineral water business in Kenya is a lucrative industry that has been growing steadily over the years. With the increasing demand for clean drinking water, there is a huge potential for entrepreneurs to invest in this industry. In this blog post, we will share the best guidelines for setting up a mineral water business in Kenya. If you follow these tips and guidelines, you will be on your way to success.

The Current State of Mineral Water Business in Kenya

The mineral water business in Kenya has been growing at an average rate of 10% per annum over the last decade. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for clean drinking water, which has been fueled by the rising population and urbanization. The industry is highly competitive, with many players in the market.

The Potential of Mineral Water Business in Kenya

The potential of the mineral water business in Kenya is enormous. With a population of over 50 million people, there is a huge demand for clean drinking water. The market size for bottled water in Kenya was estimated to be Kshs 18 billion in 2019. This presents a great opportunity for entrepreneurs to invest in this industry and reap the benefits of growth and profitability.

Guidelines for setting up a mineral water business in Kenya

In the following section, we will provide a comprehensive guide on how to set up a mineral water business in Kenya. Here are the steps to follow for success.

Steps for Starting a Mineral Water Business in Kenya

Starting a mineral water business requires careful planning and execution. Here are some steps to follow:

Step 1: Conducting market research

As with any business you may want to venture into, it is important to conduct a thorough market research first to know the viability of the business. Market research is the process of collecting and analyzing data about your target market and competitors. It can be used to inform a wide range of business decisions, such as product development, marketing strategy, and pricing.

One of the key benefits of market research is that it can help you to understand your target market better. This includes understanding their needs, wants, and preferences. Once you have a good understanding of your target market, you can develop products and services that are more likely to meet their needs.

Market research can also help you to identify and understand your competitors. This includes understanding their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their marketing and sales strategies. By understanding your competitors, you can develop strategies that will give you a competitive advantage.

Overall, market research is an essential tool for any business that wants to be successful. It can provide you with the information you need to make informed business decisions and increase your chances of success.

Step 2: Legal Requirements, Permits, and Licenses

Before starting your mineral water business, you need to obtain the necessary legal requirements, permits, and licenses from the relevant authorities. These include:

• Business registration with the Registrar of Companies. You can either register a limited company or a business name the Registrar of Companies in Kenya. The process is done through Ecitzen platform.
• Approval from the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
• Approval from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
• Approval from the Public Health Department.
• KRA excise duty stamp sticker. In Kenya, getting the KRA excise stamp sticker is a must. Ensure you register your business with KRA to get the stickers.

Step 3: Sourcing and Treating Water

The quality of your water source is critical to the success of your mineral water business. You need to ensure that your water source is clean and safe for human consumption. You can source your water from:

• Municipal water supply. This is one of the most common sources in urban centers.
• Underground sources such as boreholes. This is one of the most common sources in many parts of the country.
• Surface sources such as dams, rivers and lakes.
• Pretreated and purified water. Another option is to buy water that has already been purified from companies that specialize in this instead of purifying on your own.
  • The disadvantage is you buy water at a higher price and also you are not in control of the purification process.
  • On the flipside, the main advantage is that you don’t incur the cost of buying water purifying machines.

Once you have sourced your water, you need to treat it to remove impurities and make it safe for human consumption. This can be done through various methods such as filtration, reverse osmosis, and ultraviolet treatment.

Step 4: Bottling and Packaging

After treating your water, you need to bottle and package it. You can either purchase pre-made bottles or manufacture your own bottles if you have the capacity. In most cases unless you are a big company, manufacturing your own bottles will not make any economic sense and will only add to your initial investment cost.

You also need to label your bottles with relevant information such as expiry date, batch number, and manufacturer details.

Ensuring Growth and Expansion of Your Mineral Water Business

To ensure the growth and expansion of your mineral water business, you need to implement effective strategies such as:

• Marketing and branding techniques.
• Quality control measures.
• Customer satisfaction initiatives.

Marketing and Branding Techniques

Marketing and branding are critical components of any successful business. You need to create brand awareness by advertising your product through various channels such as social media, billboards, and radio.

Quality Control Measures

Quality control measures are essential to ensure that your product meets the required standards. You need to implement quality control measures at every stage of production to ensure that your product is safe for human consumption.

Customer Satisfaction Initiatives

Customer satisfaction is key to retaining customers and growing your business. You need to ensure that your customers are satisfied with your product by providing excellent customer service and addressing their concerns promptly.

Pitfalls to Watch Out for to Avoid Failure in your mineral water business

Starting a mineral water business comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for and how to avoid them:

• Poor quality control measures. If your product does not meet the required standards, you risk losing customers and facing legal consequences. To avoid this, you need to implement effective quality control measures at every stage of production. You also need to regularly test your water quality and comply with the regulations set by KEBS and NEMA.
• Inadequate market research. If you do not understand your target market, you risk wasting your resources and losing your competitive edge. To avoid this, you need to conduct thorough market research before launching your product. You need to identify your potential customers, their preferences, their needs, and their buying behavior. You also need to analyze your competitors, their strengths, and their weaknesses.
• Lack of financial planning. If you do not have a solid financial plan, you risk running out of cash and failing to sustain your business. To avoid this, you need to have a realistic budget and a cash flow projection. You also need to secure adequate funding from reliable sources such as banks, microfinance institutions, or investors.

Equipment Needed for Setting Up a Mineral Water Business

To set up a mineral water business, you need various equipment such as:

• Water treatment systems. These include:

• 1. Reverse osmosis water purifiers for water sourced from boreholes, rivers, dams etc. They come in two options; those for treating water with high levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and those that have low TDS levels.
  2. Pure water plants. These are for purifying municipal water that has already gone through some treatment and has less contaminants.

• Bottling machines. You can chose to import a complete line of water bottling or go the manual way with less machines.
• Packaging equipment. You will need packaging equipment and materials like wrapping plastic bags and sealing wrappers. These can be sourced locally from the suppliers.

Where to Buy Equipment and Machines Needed for Mineral Water Business

When buying equipment and machines needed for setting up a mineral water business, it’s important to choose a reputable supplier that provides high-quality products at competitive prices. You can get the right water purification and treatment machines from Gditech.

We are the leading manufacturer of the best quality reverse osmosis systems, pure water plants and other water purifying machines. We also manufacture all types of water refill station machines and equipment. We provide reliable customer support and after-sales service.

Guidelines for setting up a mineral water business in Kenya- Conclusion

Setting up a mineral water business in Kenya requires careful planning and execution. By following these guidelines, you can start your own successful mineral water business in Kenya. Remember to conduct thorough market research, implement effective quality control measures, and have a solid financial plan.

The above guidelines for setting up a mineral water business in Kenya are not exhaustive and we encourage you to do more research to gain all the information you need.

Contact us today to order water purifying machines and water vending station equipment

As stated earlier, we manufacture the best quality reverse osmosis water purifiers in Kenya as well as other water purification machines like pure water plants. We also make all water vending station equipment of the highest quality.

If you need a RO system or any water station equipment get in touch with us today. We will be glad to supply you with all the equipment you need at the most affordable prices in Kenya.

To contact us, use any of the following means:

• Phone Call: +254 715 01 45 10
• WhatsApp: +254 715 01 45 10
• Email: gditech2019@gmail.com, info@gditech.co.ke
• Fill out our Contact Us Form.
• Leaving your comment below:

Our Branches

For those who prefer a face-to-face interaction, we welcome you to visit our branches located strategically in Kenya:

• Ruiru Branch:Find us behind the Shell petrol station in Kihunguro, where our dedicated team is ready to assist you.
• Eldoret Branch:Visit our Eldoret branch us at Rehema Complex, opposite Japara Ltd., along Oloo Street in Eldoret. Our branch staff will provide you with personalized guidance and support.

You can also visit our shop page to see all other machines and equipment we manufacture.

Good luck with your entrepreneurial journey!