Grand Springs Owner Named to Bottled Water Hall of Fame
The founder and owner of Grand Springs Distribution in Alton is the newest member of the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) Bottled Water Hall of Fame.
Alton businessman Robert A. Smith was inducted into the Bottled Water Hall of Fame on Wednesday during IBWA’s annual business meeting in Chicago.
Smith has owned Grand Springs Distribution, a successful spring water bottling facility located in Alton, for more than 30 years.
He has been an active member of IBWA for more than 20 years and currently serves on the executive committee, board of directors, and several committees. He has also participated in numerous IBWA working groups and task forces. In 2020, Smith served as IBWA chairman.
“You embody the foundation of American exceptionalism and entrepreneurialism. You dreamed and followed the beams of that dream to create a significant, successful business. You took the risks, you did not look at the odds, but the potential,” said IBWA incoming chairman Henry R. Hidell III. “Your deep respect for people, the integrity of your word, and your moral compass showed all of us that this pathway to success works.
“This Hall of Fame award is a mere shadow of all that you have been and have contributed to the bottled water industry, and we are very grateful.”
During the ceremony, Hidell acknowledged that Smith’s wife Peggy, helped her husband achieve his goals and played an integral part in the success of Grand Springs.
Upon receiving the award, Smith said, “I am humbled to be admitted into such a prestigious group of industry professionals. Peggy and I started on this journey 36 years ago, and there would be no Robert Smith, and certainly no bottled water hall of fame, had it not been for her encouraging me to hang in there when I sometimes wanted to give up.”
IBWA has inducted 42 members into the hall. The individuals in this group have gone above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating their devotion, creativity, and love for the bottled water industry during their careers. Their association with the industry and civic and charitable activities also exceed those of the average businessperson. Hall of Fame inductees are those who have earned the respect and admiration of their peers for their extraordinary service to the bottled water industry.
Original source can be found here
Alerts Sign-up