What’s Next for Sigg?
May 16, 2008
by
findingDulcinea Staff
What’s next for Sigg, the suddenly hot, 100-year-old bottle maker?
Despite Sigg’s century-long history as a manufacturer of aluminum housewares, the Swiss company has only recently become a widely recognized brand in international markets. In the past few years, the company has emerged as one of the leaders in the fiercely competitive market for nondisposable water bottles. Concern for the environment, new research about the toxic effects of some substances used in plastic, (and, of course, Sigg’s ultra-cool design) have propelled these colorful aluminum accessories into the hands of backpackers, fashionistas, concerned moms and ethical environmentalists alike.
Shocking plastic stats
In 2007, National Geographic examined American consumption of bottled water and provided some stunning statistics: “[In 2006] Americans spent nearly $11 billion on over 8 billion gallons of bottled water, and then tossed over 22 billion empty plastic bottles in the trash. In bottle production alone, the more than 70 million bottles of water consumed each day in the U.S. drain 1.5 million barrels of oil over the course of one year.” In response, an increasing number of activists and policy makers are determined to restrict the production and consumption of these superfluous bottles.
Source: National Geographic
For more evidence about the menace plastic poses, read about the plastic garbage mass that’s growing in the Pacific Ocean. Captain Charles Moore, who has visited the inadvertent dump almost 10 times, calls it “a dispersed congregation of our debris from civilization, mostly plastic.” According to Moore, one way to slow the buildup “is for each consumer to drastically reduce the amount of plastic they send out into the environment,” NPR reports.
Source: NPR
Nalgene in hot water over toxins in plastic
FindingDulcinea reported on the health threat posed by some plastic water bottles due to the presence of bisphenol A (BPA), a toxic chemical considered hazardous to developing children and infants. Nalge Nunc International Corp., maker of the popular Nalgene bottle, is being sued by a California mother for using BPA in its products.
Source: findingDulcinea
Putting Sigg to the test
Laura Moser, shopping maven at Slate, conducted a thorough inquiry to rate and review some of the best reusable water bottles on the market. Through a specific methodology that discerns according to “User-friendliness,” “Ah! factor,” “Sex appeal,” and “Portability,” Moser determines that Sigg bottles “way out-glam the competition.” She also reports that, “no lab tests have ever found any evidence of bisphenol A leaching, even after prolonged use.”
Source: Slate
Sigg in business
In 2007, CNNMoney.com looks at Sigg’s business strategy, explaining why the company has seen such success in American markets since its U.S. debut in 2004. In addition to well-executed distribution, Sigg has benefited from the trend in water bottle popularity, which jumped 37% from 2005 to 2006.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Buying Sigg bottles and accessories
MySigg.com, a site dedicated to selling and promoting Sigg merchandise, lets you select from the newest bottle designs. Mix and match tops and bottles, or browse through Sigg’s other products, including boxes and cutlery, bottle accessories and flasks. To find out more about who’s using and praising Sigg water bottles, visit Sigg News for recent press coverage.







