Truth in Packaging podcast transcript: Mike Levison

GPI: Mike, thanks for joining us today. Tell us about your company’s decision to use glass containers as opposed to plastic jugs.

Levison: Well, the decision to use glass actually goes back to the company’s founding, which is almost 20 years ago. So, it’s not a recent decision. It was really part of an overall strategy that went into the development of the business, which was to develop a premium home and office water delivery service and brand in the marketplace. There was no shortage of water delivery services out there so the Lipsey’s sought out to develop something that was fundamentally different … that would stand out from the crowd. They positioned it from the ground up to be a premium service that offered a superior product. Better water, superior packaging—that’s where the glass comes in—and superior service. Back in those days, some of the concerns people have with plastics today didn’t necessarily exist back when the concept for bottling the water in glass was developed at Lipsey. The concerns about chemical toxins leaching from the plastic into the water really wasn’t so much an issue 20 years ago, and some of the environmental concerns weren’t as much of an issue 20 years ago, so in that regard, the Lipsey’s were a bit visionary.

GPI: Has the recent news about chemicals leaching from alternative packaging impacted your business at all?

Levison: No question. That issue has gotten more and more attention and visibility. A lot of people are thinking twice about drinking water that has been stored in plastic, especially for a period of time.

GPI: What is the consumer response to your product?

Levison: I think it’s very good. The whole service was conceptualized from the ground up to be a premium product and service, and it’s priced as such. Our water and service is priced a bit higher than others in the market, and therefore we tend to focus on certain segments of the marketplace. Within those segments, the response has been very good. Many of our customers have been with us for 15 or 20 years. We generally find that once somebody has our product, they keep it.

GPI: What are your target segments?

Levison: We have a number of hospitals and medical offices and even the CDC that we supply water to. Generally the medical community probably has the best appreciation of some of the quality features we offer. A lot of it revolves around the glass. Obviously with glass, you not only avoid the issue of chemicals leaching in, but we can actually sterilize glass bottles between use. They can be used literally forever.

GPI: Do you plan to expand your line or distribution to other regions in the U.S.?

Levison: Absolutely. The first order of business to build up the size of the operation here in Atlanta. Once that reaches a critical mass that we’ve defined then we absolutely plan to go into some other markets that we think a premium service could be successful in.

GPI: We just spoke with Mike Levison, Chief Operating Officer at Lipsey Mountain Spring Water. For more information about the company, please visit www.lipseywater.com. I’m Kristen LeKander with this month’s “Inside Glass Packaging” from The Glass Packaging Institute.