Owens Brothers.

 

Clada Staff

© Clada Group

 

The Plant in Clada

© Clada Group

Clada Mineral Waters opened on Friday 13th 1962 at its original premises in Waterlane, Bohermore, Galway. Unlucky for some, the Friday 13th opening proved very lucky for brothers Michael, Paul and Tom Owens from Ballaghnagrosheen, Menlough, Ballinasloe, who established the company. At the time, there were five other bottling companies in Galway city, but today Clada Mineral Water Co. Ltd. is the sole bottling company in the West of Ireland. The initial business focus was the sourcing, bottling and distribution of carbonated soft drinks but grew over the years to include the importation and distribution of fruit and vegetables from around the world. Clada were known throughout the West of Ireland as the ‘Fruit and Drinks People’.

Moving Forward:

In the mid 1970s, Clada made a move to a green field site on the Headford Road, Galway, where the company is currently based. This location proved to be quite an asset as there are three springs naturally occurring on site. Given the limestone nature of the locality, the water is refreshingly rich in calcium. Clada continued to grow through the 1980s with the wholesale of fruit and vegetables, incorporating banana ripening rooms. The 1990s brought the expansion of Clada’s distribution network throughout the Connaught region. To add another string to their bow, 1998 saw further investment in the logistic facilities at Ballinfoile, Headford Road, Galway, and the introduction of a second production line. Continued growth necessitated the addition of a third production line in 2004 which has resulted in creating one of the most modern and highly automated production facilities in Ireland. The initial site has continued to grow substantially over the year and now incorporates a 100,000 sq.ft. production and distribution facilities which are second to none.

Galway Water © Clada Group