Meet LUQEL UK, WHA’s new member
The WHA’s (Water Dispenser and Hydration Association) latest member is LUQEL UK. Here Matt Lane, managing director of LUQEL UK, gives us the low down on his company.
Who or what is LUQEL UK?
A relatively new company, LUQEL was founded in Germany and LUQEL UK started operations in 2019. However, due to the impact of Covid, 2023 is the first year we’ve really had the chance to push the brand into the market.
LUQEL water is a dispensing system that purifies ordinary tap water through a three-stage filtration process using reverse osmosis. The purified water is remineralised with a patented dosing system to create a selection of thirty different mineralised waters that are fully customisable. Users select a preferred temperature, between 4oC and 95oC, and pick from three different carbonation levels. The system offers 1000s of possibilities.
The LUQEL Hydrosystem consists of the water station, our Water Balancer app and our Smart Bottle – it’s hydration-motivating technology that engages users to stay at peak performance!
LUQEL is a sustainable solution and our dashboard report lets users measure their plastic waste reduction and eco-impact.
What make LUQEL different?
LUQEL is about educating our customers on the value of drinking water and the excitement that a great tasting water can bring them. Ultimately, the more we can encourage people to drink water, the more hydrated they are and the better they feel. The LUQEL water station dispenses still, sparkling, chilled and hot water in an umami of different flavours, as consumers balance the mineral content of their water. For example, by adjusting the minerals dosed in the water our system can create acidity, bitterness, saltiness or body in the drink.
What’s LUQEL UK’s biggest market?
Currently hospitality. Foodservice operators have been very receptive to the innovation. That’s partly because we offer a sustainable alternative to single-use bottled water – no manual handling, waste packaging or bulky storage, helping to reduce the carbon footprint. Plus there’s the taste and quality of the product, and helping them to make a point of difference in how they serve water.
What’s the future for tailored water?
We think tailored water will be huge. In Dubai we have just opened our first water bar, serving a range of 30 gourmet waters. Think of the coffee market back in the 1980s compared to how it is now. Back then it was often bulk brewed, not to say burnt! Now it’s all about quality and different flavours and textures. It’s gone from being functional to being exciting and enticing. That’s where water is heading.
Why join the WHA?
The WHA has a strong reputation. I’ve been in vending for 15 years and the vending association (AVA) recommended LUQEL join WHA. The WHA audit certification for members is very helpful – it ticks boxes for us with our customers.
The WHA has a huge role to play in educating the market about water, hydration and topics such as filtration. Consumers are already becoming more interested in these matters and the WHA has the expertise to feed that thirst for knowledge.
How tough was the WHA audit?
It was a thorough examination of our business, covering just about every area, from crisis management to customer support. I’m delighted to say that the WHA’s auditor gave us A1 for active service!
What do you bring to the WHA?
Markets are getting more and more competitive. Businesses and organisations will need to change and to adapt to meet the challenges. We’re innovators and disruptors, we help initiate change. We’re very much looking forward to playing our part in the future of hydration with the WHA.
For more information about LUQEL UK visit LUQEL-water.com.
The WHA (Water Dispenser and Hydration Association) is the voice of the water dispenser and hydration industry. Its members are committed to offering the very best in terms of quality, trust and standards. For more information visit twha.co.uk