US – BlueTriton Brands, the former US and Canadian operations of Nestle Waters, has appointed Jorge Mesquita as the new chief executive officer.  

Mr. Mesquita, a trained chemical engineer, joins BlueTriton from Johnson & Johnson, where he was executive vice president and worldwide chairman of the company’s consumer division.  

Before that he spent nearly 30 years at The Procter & Gamble Co., where he held several leadership roles, including group president of global fabric care and president of global home care. 

In his new role, Mr. Mesquita will lead the company’s growth and innovation initiatives as an independent business. 

“Over the course of his long career in the consumer products industry, Jorge has developed an outstanding reputation as a strategic thinker and inspirational leader with a focus on operational excellence and a passion for re-energizing businesses and brands,” said Tony W. Lee, managing partner of One Rock Capital Partners, which earlier this year acquired the company in partnership with Metropoulos & Co. 

 “We are thrilled to have the benefit of his experience and expertise as BlueTriton moves into its next exciting chapter.” 

BlueTriton sells spring and purified water under the Poland Spring, Deer Park, Ozarka, Ice Mountain, Zephyrhills, Arrowhead, Pure Life, and Splash brands. 

The company came into existence in April following the completion of the sale of Neste’s North America business to One Rock Capital Partners, LLC in partnership with Metropoulos & Co. 

Triton is a god of the sea in classical Greek mythology which when combined with the color blue (representing water) reflects the company’s role as a guardian of sustainable resources and a provider of freshwater. 

The company has however inherited business assets that are characterized by controversy particularly on issues surrounding its water harvesting rights. 

Just recently, California’s State Water Resources Control Board issued a report noting that the company may have a right to up to 7.26-acre feet of water annually, down from an initial estimate of 26 acre-feet. 

California, state officials further accused the water bottling company of diverting too much water from forests in the San Bernardino area and subsequently issued a draft cease-and-desist letter to the company. 

Triton has continued to fight off claims that it’s illegally drawing more water than it has a right to and it will be up to the new CEO to help broker long-lasting solutions to Blue Triton’s water challenges across the United States.

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