NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Creative Enterprises International, Inc., www.creativepi.com (Pink Sheets:CEII), announced today that it has secured additional bottling capacity for its North American distribution of Jana Waters(tm) and Jana Skinny Water(r).
Jamnica, d.d., a subsidiary of Agrokor, a large beverage conglomerate in southeast Europe, is investing approximately U.S. $10 Million in a modern, aseptic bottling facility planned to be operational by June 2006 and which is currently under construction. This new facility will be used to fulfill anticipated demand for Jana waters(tm) and Jana Skinny Water(r), primarily generated from the U.S. sales generated by Creative Enterprises.
Michael Salaman, President of Creative stated, "Jamnica's significant investment reinforces how committed they are in building the U.S. market for Jana(tm) and Skinny Waters(r). This new bottling line will be used to produce an array of Jana(tm) and Skinny(r) branded waters to be distributed by CEII in the USA. With our current demand for Jana Skinny Water(r), currently in over 7,000 retail stores, the new line will allow CEII to grow and expand Skinny(r) and Jana Waters(tm)."
Ivica Sertic, President of Agrokor, stated, "Our new bottling line further positions Jamnica as a global leader in the fast growing water market. With the current and forecasted demand for Jana waters(tm) and Jana Skinny water(r) in the USA market, this new line gives us the bottling capacity to fulfill and grow Jana(tm) and Skinny Waters(r) in the largest consumer market, the USA."
Mr. Sertic stated further, "Jana(tm) and Skinny Waters(r) are well positioned to be market leaders in their respective segments within the water industry, Jana(tm) as a premium artesian water and Skinny Water(r), a leader in the new area of functional waters and weight loss waters. We are prepared to manage our anticipated global growth with bottling capacity to meet the global demands, while delivering the highest quality water beverages to health and weight conscious consumers around the world."
Furthermore, Jamnica has contributed an additional $100,000 to Creative for building the Jana(tm) and Skinny Water(r) brand in the U.S. and is currently reviewing its 2006 budget for the USA market. The Jana(tm) and Skinny Water(r) brand marketing campaign, expected to begin in April 2006 in New York City, Miami Beach, and Los Angeles includes a branding campaign comprised of outdoor billboards, telephone booth ads, subway billboards, sampling, and event sponsorships, public relations and Video News Releases, as well as the Internet.
About Creative Enterprises International, Inc.
CEII is a national and international marketing and distribution company that identifies emerging consumer product trends. CEII is the exclusive North American importer and distributor of Jana Natural European Artesian Water(tm) and the exclusive worldwide distributor of Jana Skinny Water(r). For more information on Creative Enterprises International, Inc. please visit www.creativepi.com. Product websites are available at www.janawater.com and www.skinnywater.com
About The Agrokor Group
The Agrokor Group, www.agrokor.hr, is the largest privately owned and one of the most successful companies in Croatia, Europe. The Group's core businesses are the production and distribution of foods and beverages, as well as owning and operating the Konzum chain of supermarkets. The Agrokor Group is the market leader in bottled water with Jamnica and Jana, ice cream with its Ledo brand, as well as vegetable oils, margarines, frozen foods, mayonnaise, and wines. During its 25 years of operations, Agrokor's clear business vision has transformed a small family-owned flower production business into the largest food conglomerate in South East Europe.
By making carefully planned investments in modernization, development and new technologies, Jamnica has grown to be one of the most advanced European water bottling plants, with annual production in excess of 300 million liters.
Agrokor's beverage products are divided into seven brands: natural carbonated mineral water and natural non-carbonated artesian water; Juicy Natural Fruit Juices; Juicy Fruits Jana - natural artesian water and flavored artesian water; Sarajevski Kiseljak - natural mineral water; carbonated soft drinks under the Sky and Planet Cola brands, and Mladina wines.
At the International Water Fair in Paris, Aqua Expo 2003, Jamnica Natural Mineral Water won the prestigious EAUSCAR award. At Aqua Expo 2004, Jana(tm) Strawberry Guava also won the EAUSCAR award and most recently at the Paris Aqua Expo 2005, Jana(tm) Artesian water won for highest quality.
This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are other than statements of historical facts. When used in this release, the words "believe," "anticipate," "think," "intend," "plan," "will be," "expect," and similar expressions identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, risks set forth in documents filed by the company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by, or on behalf of, the Company, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.