Talking Rain partnership to bring Tata’s Himalayan water to US

Talking Rain has partnered with Tata Global Beverages to bring Tata’s Himalayan brand of mineral water to the US, as part of a ‘strategic alliance’ that could also open doors for Talking Rain to expand its Sparkling Ice brand of soft drinks to new markets overseas.

Himalayan is a brand of premium mineral water sourced from a pristine underground aquifer beneath the foothills of the Himalayas. The water passes through layers of rock, sand and silt during its 20-year water course, acting as natural filters and allowing the water to inherit essential minerals that contribute to the composition and taste of the final product.

Tata will utilise Sparkling Ice’s distribution network in the US, extending a partnership between the two companies that goes back five years.

Talking Rain president Marcus Smith said: “We are proud to announce a strategic alliance between Talking Rain and Tata Global Beverages. Since 2012, we have worked diligently to create a strong and strategic direct-store-delivery distribution network, comprising more than 300 distributors covering every county in the United States.

“We are thrilled that the groundwork laid by the company and our distributor and retail partners has allowed the opportunity for a partnership of this kind, and we look forward to playing an instrumental role in the successful US market entry for Himalayan natural mineral water.”

Smith only took over as CEO in March, after Kevin Klock left the company unexpectedly.

Tata Global Beverages regional president for Canada, America and Australia Stephen Rice said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Talking Rain for the US market entry of Tata Global Beverages’ Himalayan natural mineral water. With this entry, our product portfolio in the US market will extend to the water category in addition to our existing coffee and tea portfolio.

“Himalayan is one of the first premium Indian FMCG brands to target the broader American audience and we look forward to working with Talking Rain to establish a strong market presence for Himalayan natural mineral water.”