First Quality Ending Bottled Water Business

LOCK HAVEN — First Quality Water & Beverage will be closing its water bottling operations at its Lock Haven facility, selling the business to Niagara Bottling, LLC. The announcement was made Thursday with word that its water bottling employees will be “offered opportunities to continue their careers…at other First Quality Group companies” including the expanding tissue operation in Lock Haven.

Some 63 employees will be affected by the phase-out.

The formal announcement:

“First Quality Water & Beverage, LLC (“FQW&B”) began manufacturing bottled water in 2008. The manufacturing operations were strategically located in Lock Haven, Pennsylvania in order to take advantage of the market growth as a regional supplier. 

As the business and industry dynamics have changed since 2008, the future of this asset and its customers will be better served being part of a strategic owner with a national footprint. As such, we have made the decision to exit the industry and sell the assets of FQW&B to Niagara Bottling, LLC. The company is working very closely with the buyer to ensure the seamless transition of supply to our customers over the next couple of months. 

All the employees of FQW&B will be offered opportunities to continue their careers with First Quality at other First Quality Group companies; including at the currently expanding tissue manufacturing operation at the Lock Haven site where FQW&B is located.”

First Quality meanwhile is in the process of laying the groundwork to soon add a third tissue manufacturing machine at its Lock Haven operations. That expansion is expected to create some 184 additional jobs.

Asked about the water bottling phase-out, Mike Flanagan, chief executive officer of the Clinton County Economic Partnership, noted the continuing First Quality growth in the area with his comment: “We were told that this is strictly a business decision and it’s very competitive in the bottled water arena. The company is focusing on its continued growth with other products. We are very glad to hear that all 63 water employees will be offered other employment opportunities at First Quality.”

First Quality had started its bottled water plant in 2008 and added a second line in 2013. Water is taken from Bald Eagle Creek. It is understood production will cease at the end of September.