Primo Brands has announced the opening of a new manufacturing plant in Hot Springs, Arkansas, its first new factory since the 2024 merger that brought BlueTriton’s water brands to the company. The investment is aimed at increasing production of Mountain Valley, its premium spring and sparkling water brand, as consumers are seeking higher end beverages.
The plant will occupy some 200,000 square feet and will provide the company with what it describes as “much needed additional capacity” to meet growing demand. The facility features a dedicated logistics and warehouse space, a high-speed retail line and two large-format production lines, bolstering the company’s capability to produce and distribute Mountain Valley products.
The investment comes as the U.S. packaged water market continues to grow and consumers increasingly select beverages they see as better-for-you alternatives. And according to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, water is the top-selling packaged beverage by volume in the country. Premium products are gaining more attention in this category with shoppers taking a greater interest in the source of water and the taste and quality of the brand when making their buying choices.
Mountain Valley is set to ride that wave. The brand has been sourced from the Ouachita Mountains and bottled since 1871 and has been a part of the Hot Springs community for over 150 years. Its reputation and word-of-mouth recommendations have helped drive demand, highlighting the need for more production capacity.
“The brand has grown from consumers discovering our products and liking them and telling their friends,” said Eric Foss, chairman and CEO of Primo Brands. Such loyalty carries with it a responsibility to make the water more widely available, he said.
Primo is not the only drinks company hoping to cash in on rising consumer interest in premium water. Coca-Cola’s Topo Chico has also jumped on the trend while Arizona Beverage has inked a deal to bring Italian sparkling water brand Ferrarelle to the U.S. market. The moves highlight the increased competition in a segment where buying decisions can be influenced by brand positioning, product quality and provenance.
The Mountain Valley expansion also complements the broader Primo Brands portfolio, which includes Poland Spring, Pure Life, Saratoga and Deer Park. The company was formed following its 2024 merger with BlueTriton’s water brands. BlueTriton was created when Nestlé sold its North American bottled water business in 2021 for $4.3 billion.
More context on the investment is provided by the latest published quarterly results of Primo. The company had revenue of about $1.8 billion in the quarter ended June 30, up 3.8% from the same period a year ago. The growth was led by its premium brands and regional spring waters, Primo said.
With demand for premium beverages on the rise, the new Arkansas facility will help enhance Primo Brands’ manufacturing and distribution capabilities while supporting the growth of a water brand that has been around for more than a century.
