Vanuatu Beverage works to restore water production after earthquake, distributes over 30 tons of drinking water

January 13, 2025 10:12 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Nicholas Mwai.

In the aftermath of the recent earthquake in Efate, Vanuatu Beverage Limited (VBL) has stepped up to address the urgent need: access to safe drinking water.

The company has distributed over 30,000 litres—30 tons—of water to residents who brought their own containers to the factory.

Days after the earthquake, it was noticed that VBL water bottles had disappeared from store shelves and were not available.

Mr. Teiva Durand, the Deputy General Manager (GM) of VBL, explained that the earthquake caused substantial damage to their production line, forcing operations to a halt.

“Our machinery responsible for blowing and filling bottles was severely damaged and required extensive repairs,” Mr. Durand shared.

“The equipment, which transforms preforms—small plastic tubes—into Vanuatu Water bottles, was displaced, and critical piping systems were ruptured during the quake.

To fix the problem, the company’s maintenance team, along with external engineers and welders, has been working tirelessly to repair the machinery.

“We’re doing everything we can to get Vanuatu Water back on shelves as soon as possible,” Mr. Durand assured.

However, there is no exact timeline yet for when production will resume.

In the meantime, VBL has opened its doors to clients in need of water; they are encouraged to bring their own containers to the factory, where they can refill them directly.

Vanuatu Beverage typically uses locally made plastic bottles from imported preforms.

These preforms are blown into bottles by specialised machines, which are then transported through an air conveyor system for filling, capping, labeling, and packaging.

The earthquake disrupted this entire process, highlighting the fragile interdependence of the production line.

“The magnitude of the earthquake moved all machinery from its original position and damaged the connecting piping systems,” Mr. Durand explained.

Repairs to the infrastructure are essential before production can resume.

Despite these setbacks, VBL’s quick action in distributing water has been a lifeline for many.

“Our goal is to continue providing water during this time of need, even if it means doing so directly from our facility,” the Deputy GM added.