Mizu, a high-end producer of vacuum insulated drinkware and other reusable products recently singed a partnership agreement with its two largest European distributors. Under the agreement, Mizu formed Mizu Europe B.V., a wholly owned subsidiary of Mizu, Inc. This new company will serve as the European headquarters for Mizu with an office, warehouse and in-house custom printing operation located in the Netherlands.
The agreement has made Wouter van de Griend of Edge Trading and Timo Breyer of Cleanspot Distribution Mizu shareholders. Wouter has been appointed the Director of Mizu Europe and Timo has been appointed as the European Sales Advisor. Timo will continue to oversee Timo Breyer Sales, which represents Mizu in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Ramon Mulder of Edge Trading will continue to represent Mizu in the Netherlands.
Positioned just outside of Amsterdam, a city leading the way for reusable water bottles in Europe, the move puts Mizu’s new European headquarters at the heart of the reusable over single-use movement in the region.
Tim Pogue, Mizu’s CEO said, “With the addition of this new operation in Amsterdam, we can directly serve all of Europe with better product selection, centralized shipping, improved marketing, and a direct custom laser etching and printing operation. Wouter, Ramon and Timo have helped build Mizu from the start in Europe and are the perfect partners for us in this new venture.”
Timo Breyer is the founder and director of Timo Breyer Sales, a sales agency for Nixon in Germany, Austria and Switzerland since 1999. He founded Cleanspot Distribution to house Mizu after he met Tim Pogue in Munich four years ago.
Breyer said, “At ISPO [trade show in Munich] Tim explained to me how a reusable water bottle and a message of sustainability could change the world. After my first meeting with him I felt that with his business experience and passion for the environment along with my sales experience and presence in the European market, we could create something big in the future.”
Wouter van de Griend of Edge Trading comes from a previous sales background working with Burton Snowboards and Gravis Footwear. He founded Edge Trading with his business partner Ramon Mulder in 2002 and has since represented brands such as K2, Ride, Nixon, Electric, Mizu and Hurley in the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg.
Wouter stated, “Mizu, with its unique heritage and founder [Jussi Oksanen] being someone with true respect and genuine concern for the planet, represents a unique opportunity for me to contribute with my know-how of pan-European brand management on a broader scale. Europe is currently leading at the helm of environmental change, so it could not be better timing for the Mizu brand, its outstanding product and dedicated team to set up a European headquarters.”
About Mizu
Attitudes are changing. Single use is out and reusable is in. From outdoor adventures to everyday life, from the moment you rise out of bed and get your coffee to the last sip of water you have before you go to bed; there are endless opportunities each day to choose reusable over single use. Mizu makes premium reusable products that last a lifetime to help take advantage of these opportunities.
Mizu can be found in the hands of people who squeeze every ounce of fun out of life and share a passion for protecting the oceans, mountains and cities we play in. Founded by world-class professional snowboarder, adventurer and environmentalist Jussi Oksanen, Mizu crafts premium quality, versatile reusable products that last a lifetime and perform in all aspects of an adventurous life. From water bottles to cutlery, from insulated to single wall – from the coffee shop to the beach, from driving to work or hiking for first tracks, Mizu always has your back. Enjoy The Journey. Leave Nothing Behind.
