Announcement Formalized the Transfer of the Smiths Falls Facility from Hershey Canada to Aquablue
June 22, 2009

Aquablue International welcomed more than 200 corporate and government guests on Thursday, June 18, 2009 at its Corporate Headquarters in Smiths Falls. CEO and Chairman of the Board Manuel Da Silva and President Dan Villeneuve joined Smiths Falls Mayor Dennis Staples and MPP Carlton-Mississippi Mills Norm Sterling on the dais for the announcement.

The long awaited announcement formalized the transfer of the Smiths Falls facility from Hershey Canada to Aquablue. “Today, manufacturing plants are closing at an alarming rate there isn’t a day that goes by …. you read the papers or hear the news, and you learn of another closing. This is affecting towns and cities everywhere,” Smiths Falls Mayor Dennis Staples said “We’re very pleased today and excited to announce we’re no longer part of this trend of closures.”

Aquablue’s President Dan Villeneuve stated, “the company will begin producing concentrate, bottled water and carbonated water, sugar free beverages for kids and a line of vitamin infused drinks for adults. Other products will be introduced as our facility becomes operational added Villeneuve.” Reporters asked numerous questions surrounding the plants future and employment opportunities. Villeneuve responded, “60 full time positions will be created in January 2010 with another 70 full time jobs being added as production increases in March 2010.”

Dave Rogers of the Ottawa Citizen wrote “It’s a bright spot in the region’s dimming economy. Earl McRae (Ottawa Sun) peppered the speakers with numerous questions and wrote, “Brilliant corporate choreography. Outside it’s pouring rain, inside they’re talking about water. If Aquablue Spring Water International can keep pulling off this kind of magic, the town that chocolate abandoned to the unemployment lines might just rise again in a song of salvation.”

Aquablue International announced plans to establish a PET [polyethylene terephthalte] recycling operation in 2010. This equipment recycles PET and could eliminate the footprint created by households in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. This equipment separates and recycles 100% of PET bottles, caps and labels allowing for re-use of all three materials.

CEO and Chairman Manuel Da Silva thanked Hershey for its decision not to tear down the Smiths Falls facility but instead work out terms for the property to be sold to Aquablue. “Hershey decided to preserve this facility, allow us to restore jobs in the community and Aquablue International to move forward with our vision” said Da Silva. That ladies and gentlemen is responsible corporate behavior and we applaud Hershey for it added Da Silva.

Aquablue International is a manufacturer of quality concentrate, bottled water, carbonated beverages and a line of health focused fruit and vegetable packaged products for children distributed across North American and Europe.

For more information please contact Aquablue at 613-283-3300

	Smiths Falls Mayor Dennis Staples
	MPP Carlton-Mississippi Mills Norm Sterling
	President Aquablue International Dan Villeneuve takes questions following the press conference
	CEO and Chairman Manuel Da Silva address the media and invited guests
	Dan Villeneuve and Manuel Da Silva present hand blown decanters created by local artisan David Paterson to Mayor Dennis Staples and MPP Norm Sterling.

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