CEBU, Philippines — Cebuano businessman Danny Lua started the Philippine Spring Water Resources Inc. in 1991 when the need for safe and affordable water was so magnified after super typhoon Ruping hit Cebu sometime in November 1990.
At that time, Cebu-based PSWRI, the maker and distributor of bottled water brand Nature's Spring, saw it was high time to enter the water business.
The destruction "Ruping" had brought unimaginable havoc and paralyzed the whole island. There was no electrical power which also caused the disruption of the water distribution.
The people were only relying on unsafe deep well water sources. This resulted on an outbreak of water bound diseases such as El Tor, Cholera, Diarrhea and Hepatitis A.
The need for a safe drinking water was an immediate concern. The demand for safe bottled drinking water products was emphasized.
Unfortunately, the supply wasn't readily available in the market.
During that time, only a handful local brands and few expensive foreign bottled water were available.
The strong demand seen during Ruping's aftermath was instrumental in the company's move to come up with solutions.
A comprehensive research and hands-on training were then undertaken in the United States about the industry, the product and the technical aspects of the manufacturing and production of purified bottled water.
Eventually, an extensive market research, and product conceptualization and development were commissioned back home.
With the aid of foreign expert consultants, the first plant and production facility was put up in what became its main plant and office located in A.C. Cortes, Mandaue City, Cebu.
Today, the company has become the country's overall market leader in the bottled water industry.
PSWRI has since addressed the increased product volume demand by building three other production plants.
Two were built for Luzon area – one in Guiguinto, Bulacan and another in Calamba, Laguna; and one in Cagayan de Oro City for the Mindanao market.
Over the years, the company has expanded its business and further diversified its product lines.
In 2017, the Lua family marked its foray into the hospitality sector when it opened bai Hotel in Mandaue City, Cebu.