FreshPure Waters was founded to replace single-use plastic water bottles by providing consumers with a more eco-friendly refillable bulk water option. Its system specializes in high-pH alkaline, reverse osmosis, and deionized water, all in one machine. However, the rapidly growing demand for its purified water systems outpaced its production capabilities.
FreshPure Waters applied for assistance through the New Mexico Small Business Assistance (NMSBA) Program, a unique opportunity that brings the technology and expertise of New Mexico’s national laboratories and their partners to solve problems that inhibit business growth.
The NMSBA Program paired FreshPure Waters with Wesley Eccles and Jeff Abrams, directors at New Mexico Manufacturing Extension Partnership (New Mexico MEP), to lead the initiative to optimize production, improve system maintenance, and expand market reach.
The NMSBA Program offers New Mexico small businesses facing technical challenges access to the unique expertise and capabilities of Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. At no cost to the business, small businesses can seek assistance from lab scientists and engineers to solve challenges and overcome barriers to company success. The program does not offer cash or investments; however, results from the expertise it provides can help companies enter new markets and attract investments.
In addition to expertise from the national labs, businesses can request expertise from NMSBA Program partner organizations such as New Mexico MEP, New Mexico Tech, UNM, and NMSU.
Production Assistance
FreshPure Waters’ collaboration with New Mexico MEP began by developing a new design layout to increase the capacity of a larger facility under construction in Santa Fe. It became clear that an enterprise resource planning system would be invaluable. This software integrates various business functions into a single system, improving efficiency, enhancing decision-making, and streamlining processes. New Mexico MEP evaluated over 80 systems to find the best fit for FreshPure Water’s needs.
While this evaluation was underway, FreshPure Waters acquired another water purifying company, bringing in an existing enterprise resource planning system. Leveraging the research already conducted, the company fully utilized this system to broaden its operational scope, streamline business processes, and facilitate scalable growth.
The collaboration produced important results that helped FreshPure Waters achieve its objectives. New Mexico MEP further provided lean manufacturing training to the company’s workforce, which enhanced existing systems. The collaborative projects identified opportunities to optimize cell design, prioritize equipment improvements, and review best practices to align with FreshPure Waters’ growth goals.
U.S.-owned New Mexico for-profit businesses that are defined as “small” by the SBA are eligible to apply for up to $40,000 worth of NMSBA Program assistance.
Since 2000, the program has provided $80.6 million in technical assistance to 3,267 businesses, enabling 11,116 jobs to be created and retained across the state’s 33 counties.
Learn more about New Mexico MEP and the NMSBA Program. Visit the NMSBA Program website to apply for assistance from New Mexico’s national laboratories and their partners.