Stamps Fiji

A PLACE LIKE NONE OTHER: THE STORY BEHIND THE WORLD’S BEST WATER.

Fiji water was born of one man’s love of the islands, and his affection and respect for the people of Fiji. Canadian born David Gilmour first came to Fiji in the 1960s when he and partner Peter Munk co-founded the Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (SPHC), a venture that grew in 10 years’ time to become the largest hotel chain in the South Pacific. While reviewing SPHC operations in Fiji in 1971, Gilmour flew over the island of Wakaya, an event the changed his life. “The moment I saw it,” Gilmour says, “I knew I had to buy it”.

Gilmour purchased the island in 1972 as a family retreat and fell in love with the island and the people. As time passed, he began to envision a small luxury hotel that would celebrate and protect the unspoiled beauty of the island. The Wakaya Club opened in 1991 as the small, exclusive ecologically sensitive luxury Gilmour had envisioned. It has earned international awards and acclaim for the extraordinary vacation experience it provides.

A BIG IDEA.

The impetus for Fiji water began on Wakaya. Gilmour was playing golf with his wife, Jill, and saw a man at the tee ahead drinking bottled water provided by the resort. Gilmour said, “I’ve imported water from 10,000 miles away, probably from a highly populated area, and I bet within 100 miles there is the most unique source in history.”

He began a process of research and inquiry that led him to the Yaqara Valley on the island of Viti Levu. Drilling and testing there confirmed the findings of earlier geologic analysis, that the islands contained a source of exceptionally pure and delicious water as unique as the islands themselves.

The company was formed in 1996 and the first bottles were shipped to the US in late 1997. Rapid growth in demand soon prompted the construction of a 110, 000- square-foot, state-of-the-art bottling facility in the Yaqara Valley, directly above the aquifer. The Viti Levu plant, completed in 2000, offers every technological advantage to boost productivity and incorporates the best eco- sensitive design to protect and preserve the environment of the island. Today, much of Gilmour ‘s time is devoted to the company the Fiji water is the second-leading imported premium bottled water in the US.

THE VITI LEVU TEAM

At the bottling plant on the main island of Viti Levu, the work force is comprised entirely of Fiji Islanders, with only one expatriate employed. From the beginning, the company was set up in close cooperation with local people, who saw the benefits that Fiji Water operations would hold for them. In return, the final ingredient of success for Fiji Water is the people chosen to work for the company. Fiji water founders value passion, integrity and intellect and these are the qualities are the qualities central to the character of the Viti Levu team.

THE BEST OF TWO WORLDS

When David Gilmour began to build the organisation, it was important that the enterprise respect Fijian culture and reflect Fijian values. The goal was to bring together the best of two worlds in a company built on passion, intellect and integrity. As a result, the physical plant reflects the best western understanding of eco- sensitive design and industrial process, and is staffed by local people.

By bringing new industry to Fiji and, more specifically, clean industry based on a renewable resource, Fiji water has created more than jobs. It has created a model for economic development in the islands and it has built a bridge from the past of the future.

MEETING LOCAL NEEDS. EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY

Very early on, before construction of the existing plant, the company began to assess local needs and identified early childhood education as a priority. To date, the company has built five kindergartens in neighbouring villages and worked to help local teachers earn certification through free sponsorship to higher education so that they can be paid by the Fiji Departments of Education.

The process has been so rewarding and enjoyable that the company has gone on to establish a trust fund to provide a source of long-term funding for capital improvements at the village level. These funds are being used to build and improve churches and civic buildings, to upgrade water and sanitation systems and other utilities. In addition, the company has created a fund for education programs and scholarships in Fiji.

VALIDATION OF THE FIJI WATER APPROACH

Usefulness of the company’s efforts has been acknowledged at the highest level. Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara awarded Gilmour an honorary officership (The Order of Fiji) in the spring of 1999, an honor comparable to the British designation of knighthood. This honor provides gratifying validation that Fiji water efforts are, in fact satisfying the company’s wish to form long – term partnerships with local people to answer local needs.

SYSTEMS

The Fiji water bottling operation uses best-of-class equipment in a fully automated production facility. Augmenting and enhancing the state-of-the-art technology are advanced management systems certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The facility is accredited to ISO 9001:2000 for quality management and ISO 14001: 1996 for environmental management, and the source has been certified by QAI (USA).

ISO 9001: 2000 FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT

Accreditation to the ISO 9001: 2000 standard requires a demonstrated commitment to reaching the highest possible level of quality assurance and quality control, while at the same time exhibiting an on-going program of continuous improvements in every aspect of the operation. The process is driven by a desire to exceed customer expectations at all times.

ISO 14001:1996 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The ISO 14001: 1996 standard relates to environmental management practice. Fiji water is dedicated to a system in which protection of the pristine source and environs and sound, sustainable long-term environmental strategies are in place and enforced.

PURITY FROM THE SOURCE TO THE CUSTOMER

Testing is rigorous and a multi-barrier system is deployed to ensure product purity and quality all the way from the source to the customer. Comprehensive testing or all aspects of the product by local and international laboratories is carried out on a continuous basis. Independent international auditors routinely appraise the systems to ensure compliance with the detailed operating procedures, manufacturing protocols and environmental pollicies.

THE FUTURE

Fiji water is now the second largest selling imported bottled water in the United States. The company has detailed plans in place to consolidate and grow in that market, and to further grow in other markets including Europe, Japan and Australia

Title	Fiji Natural Water
Values	25¢, 48¢, $1.00, $3.00
Designer/Artist	George Bennett
Text	Ian Lincolne
Printer	Cartor Security Printing
Process	Offset Lithography
Stamp Size	30mm x 48 mm
Sheet Format	2 x portrait and 2 x landscape
PERFORATION GAUGE	13 per 2 cms
Paper	PVA Gummed 110 gsm
Graphic Design	Liquid Ocean

Fiji natural Water
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A PLACE LIKE NONE OTHER: THE STORY BEHIND THE WORLD’S BEST WATER. Fiji water was born of one man’s love of the islands, and his affection and respect for the people of Fiji. Canadian born David Gilmour first came to Fiji in the 1960s when he and partner Peter Munk co-founded the Southern Pacific Hotel Corporation (SPHC), a venture that grew in 10 years’ time to become the largest hotel chain in the South Pacific. While reviewing SPHC operations in Fiji in 1971, Gilmour flew over the island of Wakaya, an event the changed his life. “The moment I saw it,” Gilmour says, “I knew I had to buy it”. Gilmour purchased the island in 1972 as a family retreat and fell in love with the island and the people. As time passed, he began to envision a small luxury hotel that would celebrate and protect the unspoiled beauty of the island. The Wakaya Club opened in 1991 as the small, exclusive ecologically sensitive luxury Gilmour had envisioned. It has earned international awards and acclaim for the extraordinary vacation experience it provides. A BIG IDEA. The impetus for Fiji water began on Wakaya. Gilmour was playing golf with his wife, Jill, and saw a man at the tee ahead drinking bottled water provided by the resort. Gilmour said, “I’ve imported water from 10,000 miles away, probably from a highly populated area, and I bet within 100 miles there is the most unique source in history.” He began a process of research and inquiry that led him to the Yaqara Valley on the island of Viti Levu. Drilling and testing there confirmed the findings of earlier geologic analysis, that the islands contained a source of exceptionally pure and delicious water as unique as the islands themselves. The company was formed in 1996 and the first bottles were shipped to the US in late 1997. Rapid growth in demand soon prompted the construction of a 110, 000- square-foot, state-of-the-art bottling facility in the Yaqara Valley, directly above the aquifer. The Viti Levu plant, completed in 2000, offers every technological advantage to boost productivity and incorporates the best eco- sensitive design to protect and preserve the environment of the island. Today, much of Gilmour ‘s time is devoted to the company the Fiji water is the second-leading imported premium bottled water in the US. THE VITI LEVU TEAM At the bottling plant on the main island of Viti Levu, the work force is comprised entirely of Fiji Islanders, with only one expatriate employed. From the beginning, the company was set up in close cooperation with local people, who saw the benefits that Fiji Water operations would hold for them. In return, the final ingredient of success for Fiji Water is the people chosen to work for the company. Fiji water founders value passion, integrity and intellect and these are the qualities are the qualities central to the character of the Viti Levu team. THE BEST OF TWO WORLDS When David Gilmour began to build the organisation, it was important that the enterprise respect Fijian culture and reflect Fijian values. The goal was to bring together the best of two worlds in a company built on passion, intellect and integrity. As a result, the physical plant reflects the best western understanding of eco- sensitive design and industrial process, and is staffed by local people. By bringing new industry to Fiji and, more specifically, clean industry based on a renewable resource, Fiji water has created more than jobs. It has created a model for economic development in the islands and it has built a bridge from the past of the future. MEETING LOCAL NEEDS. EDUCATION AS A PRIORITY Very early on, before construction of the existing plant, the company began to assess local needs and identified early childhood education as a priority. To date, the company has built five kindergartens in neighbouring villages and worked to help local teachers earn certification through free sponsorship to higher education so that they can be paid by the Fiji Departments of Education. The process has been so rewarding and enjoyable that the company has gone on to establish a trust fund to provide a source of long-term funding for capital improvements at the village level. These funds are being used to build and improve churches and civic buildings, to upgrade water and sanitation systems and other utilities. In addition, the company has created a fund for education programs and scholarships in Fiji. VALIDATION OF THE FIJI WATER APPROACH Usefulness of the company’s efforts has been acknowledged at the highest level. Fijian President Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara awarded Gilmour an honorary officership (The Order of Fiji) in the spring of 1999, an honor comparable to the British designation of knighthood. This honor provides gratifying validation that Fiji water efforts are, in fact satisfying the company’s wish to form long – term partnerships with local people to answer local needs. SYSTEMS The Fiji water bottling operation uses best-of-class equipment in a fully automated production facility. Augmenting and enhancing the state-of-the-art technology are advanced management systems certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The facility is accredited to ISO 9001:2000 for quality management and ISO 14001: 1996 for environmental management, and the source has been certified by QAI (USA). ISO 9001: 2000 FOR QUALITY MANAGEMENT Accreditation to the ISO 9001: 2000 standard requires a demonstrated commitment to reaching the highest possible level of quality assurance and quality control, while at the same time exhibiting an on-going program of continuous improvements in every aspect of the operation. The process is driven by a desire to exceed customer expectations at all times. ISO 14001:1996 FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT The ISO 14001: 1996 standard relates to environmental management practice. Fiji water is dedicated to a system in which protection of the pristine source and environs and sound, sustainable long-term environmental strategies are in place and enforced. PURITY FROM THE SOURCE TO THE CUSTOMER Testing is rigorous and a multi-barrier system is deployed to ensure product purity and quality all the way from the source to the customer. Comprehensive testing or all aspects of the product by local and international laboratories is carried out on a continuous basis. Independent international auditors routinely appraise the systems to ensure compliance with the detailed operating procedures, manufacturing protocols and environmental pollicies. THE FUTURE Fiji water is now the second largest selling imported bottled water in the United States. The company has detailed plans in place to consolidate and grow in that market, and to further grow in other markets including Europe, Japan and Australia