The Hidden Story of Who Owns FIJI Water: From Startup to Global Brand

FIJI Water belongs to billionaires Stewart and Lynda Resnick, who acquired the premium bottled water brand through their company, The Wonderful Company, in 2004. This acquisition transformed what Canadian businessman David Gilmour founded in 1996 into America's leading imported premium bottled water brand.

The numbers tell a compelling story. FIJI Water generated $43.01 million in annual revenue in 2018 as part of The Wonderful Company's $6 billion global portfolio. The conglomerate employs over 10,000 people worldwide, yet the brand's success comes with notable contradictions. While FIJI Water ships its product globally, 12% of Fiji's population lacked access to clean drinking water as recently as 2018.

The energy cost is equally striking. Producing and distributing one bottle of FIJI Water requires 2,000 times more energy than tap water. These statistics hint at the complex tensions between commercial success and ethical responsibility that have defined the brand's journey.

FIJI Water's story extends far beyond simple corporate ownership. The brand has weathered tax disputes with the Fijian government, faced environmental scrutiny over its carbon footprint, and navigated labor conflicts with local workers. These controversies reveal the challenges facing global brands that extract natural resources from developing nations.

Here's what we'll cover: the current ownership structure under The Wonderful Company, David Gilmour's original vision and founding story, the major controversies that have shaped public perception, and the environmental and ethical questions that continue to follow the brand. Understanding this complete picture explains how a simple bottled water company became both a billion-dollar success and a lightning rod for criticism.

Current ownership: The Wonderful Company's $50 million acquisition

The Wonderful Company has owned FIJI Water since November 2004, when the American conglomerate purchased the premium bottled water brand for approximately $50 million. This acquisition transformed FIJI Water from a boutique operation into a component of a global business empire.

The Wonderful Company: A $6 billion agricultural giant

Formerly known as Roll Global, The Wonderful Company operates as a privately held corporation based in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1979, the company has expanded into a $6 billion global agricultural corporation employing over 10,000 people worldwide.

The company's focus centers on premium, health-oriented products across multiple categories. The Wonderful Company has invested more than $400 million in sustainable agriculture initiatives, including water-efficient irrigation systems, eco-friendly pest control methods, and energy reduction technologies.

Stewart and Lynda Resnick: America's wealthiest farming couple

Stewart and Lynda Resnick each hold a 50% stake in The Wonderful Company. Stewart serves as Chairman and President, while Lynda functions as Vice Chairman. Their business empire began in 1978 when Stewart purchased his first California farmland, eventually growing into their multi-billion-dollar operation.

The numbers reflect their success. As of May 2024, Stewart Resnick's personal net worth reached $5.6 billion, ranking him #529 on Forbes' Billionaires list and #192 on the Forbes 400. Combined, the couple's fortune totals approximately $10.6 billion. Stewart Resnick holds the distinction of being the wealthiest farmer in the United States.

FIJI Water within a premium brand portfolio

FIJI Water occupies one position within The Wonderful Company's diverse brand collection:

• POM Wonderful (pomegranate juice)

• Wonderful Pistachios and Almonds

• Wonderful Halos (mandarin oranges)

• JUSTIN, Landmark, and JNSQ Wines

• Teleflora (floral delivery service)

The Resnicks have committed substantial resources to philanthropy. In September 2019, they pledged $750 million to Caltech to combat climate change. Their total philanthropic contributions exceed $2.5 billion, supporting education, healthcare, community development, and sustainability projects across California's Central Valley and Fiji.

The origin story: How FIJI Water began

David Gilmour never intended to become a bottled water mogul. The Canadian businessman had already built multiple successful enterprises over three decades—from Scandinavian home furnishings to high-end stereos and gold mining—when he established Natural Waters of Viti Ltd. in 1996. His path to founding what would become a global water brand began with personal tragedy and an island paradise.

David Gilmour and the Wakaya Island resort

Grief led Gilmour to Fiji. Following the death of his only child, he purchased Wakaya, a tiny island, from two business partners in 1987. On this remote paradise, he constructed a 12,000-square-foot villa called Vale O (House in the Clouds), complete with a reservoir, airstrip, and jetty.

The Wakaya Club & Spa opened in 1990, featuring eight thatched-roof suites that Gilmour jokingly described as "a place to put the overflow guests" from his home. Celebrity guests soon discovered this exclusive retreat. Bill Gates, Nicole Kidman, and Keith Richards became regular visitors to the island sanctuary.

From luxury resort to bottled water brand

A single moment on a golf course sparked the FIJI Water concept. Gilmour noticed a guest drinking Evian while surrounded by pristine Fijian nature. "He said, 'There's something wrong with this picture,' and I said, 'What do you mean?'" recalled his wife Jillian. "And he said, 'We're on our own island, and they're drinking water from Lake Geneva. I know that with Fiji's rainfall, there must be a greater water source'".

This observation prompted action. Gilmour discovered an underground aquifer beneath the volcanic highlands of Viti Levu island, secured a 99-year lease with the Fiji government, and invested approximately $48 million of his own money to launch the business.

Early marketing and global expansion

Gilmour bypassed traditional advertising for a more strategic approach. His Hollywood connections enabled product placements on popular television shows like "The Sopranos" and "Ally McBeal". He targeted luxury restaurants and hotels, positioning the distinctive square bottles with their hibiscus flower logo as status symbols.

The strategy delivered remarkable results. By 2004, FIJI Water had become the second-largest imported water brand in the United States. Recognizing the brand's potential, Gilmour sold the company to Roll International (now The Wonderful Company) for $50 million. What began as a resort owner's casual observation had evolved into a premium brand ready for global expansion.

Controversies that shadow FIJI Water's success

FIJI Water's commercial achievements tell only part of the story. The brand has weathered significant controversies that expose the complex relationship between an American-owned company and the Pacific nation it calls home.

Tax battles with the Fijian government

FIJI Water's most dramatic controversy erupted in 2010 when the company temporarily ceased operations. The catalyst was a steep tax increase imposed by Fiji's military-led government—jumping from one-third of one percent to 15 cents per liter for companies extracting more than 3.5 million liters monthly.

FIJI Water found itself as the sole target of this policy. Company president John Cochran called the tax "untenable" and warned it sent an "unmistakable message" that Fiji was becoming "a very risky place in which to invest".

Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama fired back with pointed criticism. He noted that FIJI Water had enjoyed a tax holiday until two years prior and had paid only approximately $500,000 in corporate taxes since then. The dispute highlighted questions about whether international companies were contributing fairly to the economies of the countries whose resources they extract.

Water access disparity in Fiji

The most striking contradiction involves water access itself. While FIJI Water ships its premium product worldwide, 82% of Fiji's population has access to safe drinking water—a figure that drops to just 58% in rural areas. Urban dwellers fare better at 98%, but only 28% of the population has access to the central sewerage system.

Rural communities face multiple challenges: contamination from agricultural runoff, inadequate sanitation facilities, and infrastructure gaps. FIJI Water represents the country's top export by dollar value, yet many rural residents must travel long distances to collect water.

Recent labor disputes

Worker relations came to a head in 2023-2024 when 168 employees at FIJI Water's Yaqara plant and Naikabula depot went on strike. The National Union of Workers raised grievances including unpaid overtime, failure to adjust wages for inflation, and inadequate shift allowances.

The ten-day strike concluded with an agreement featuring three consecutive 5% pay increases backdated to January 2023, reduced working hours from 45 to 42 without pay cuts, and additional allowances. Despite FIJI Water's claims of providing "among the highest wages and best benefits in Fiji," the dispute revealed ongoing tensions with the local workforce.

Takeaways

These controversies share a common thread: the challenges facing multinational corporations that extract natural resources from developing nations. Tax disputes, water access inequities, and labor tensions all reflect broader questions about corporate responsibility and equitable benefit-sharing.

Environmental impact: The carbon cost of premium water

Stewart and Lynda Resnick's FIJI Water faces mounting scrutiny over its environmental footprint. The brand's sustainability claims have become a focal point for critics who question whether any bottled water shipped globally can truly be eco-friendly.

The real cost of long-distance shipping

Transportation represents half of FIJI Water's wholesale cost. The company's factory operates around the clock on diesel generators, producing 85,396 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually as measured in 2007. 

These emissions break down into four main categories: packaging materials account for 29%, ocean freight contributes 23%, bottling operations add 20%, and distribution makes up 17%.

The distance factor is significant. Shipping water 5,558 miles from Fiji to California creates an enormous carbon footprint that tap water simply doesn't have.

Plastic bottles and recycling initiatives

FIJI Water has responded to plastic waste criticism by transitioning to recycled materials. As of 2023, nearly 70% of their global bottle volume uses recycled plastic (rPET), with plans to reach 100% by 2025. The company claims rPET can reduce carbon emissions by up to 79% compared to new materials.

Recent lawsuits challenge these environmental improvements. Laboratory tests revealed microplastics and bisphenol-A (BPA) in FIJI Water products, contradicting the brand's "natural" marketing claims.

Carbon Negative promises fall short

FIJI Water's 2007 "Carbon Negative" campaign promised to offset 120% of the company's emissions through forest restoration, renewable energy projects, and reduced packaging. The ambitious pledge aimed to position the brand as environmentally responsible despite its global shipping model.

A 2011 class-action lawsuit exposed the gap between promises and reality. FIJI Water was using "forward crediting"—claiming future carbon reductions that hadn't materialized. By 2009, only 250 acres of trees had been planted, storing approximately 400 metric tons of carbon. The company needed 200,000 acres to meet its offset commitments.

Transparency challenges and greenwashing allegations

FIJI Water removed its FIJIGreen.com website in 2010 while continuing to market itself as environmentally responsible. This pattern of making environmental claims without sustained transparency has drawn legal attention.

The Plastic Pollution Coalition filed a complaint in January 2025 alleging "false and deceptive marketing" regarding FIJI Water's recycling claims and "natural" product descriptions. Critics argue these cases highlight a fundamental contradiction: how can a company that ships bottled water globally claim environmental responsibility?

Takeaways

The environmental debate around FIJI Water reflects broader questions about premium bottled water brands. While the company has made efforts to reduce its footprint through recycled packaging, the core challenge remains unchanged—transporting water thousands of miles requires enormous energy consumption that local alternatives don't.

The complete ownership picture

Stewart and Lynda Resnick's ownership of FIJI Water through The Wonderful Company tells a story of remarkable commercial success shadowed by persistent ethical questions. David Gilmour's original vision for premium bottled water has become a global brand worth millions, yet the contradictions inherent in this success remain unresolved.

The numbers speak clearly. FIJI Water ships its product 5,558 miles from Fiji to California, requiring 2,000 times more energy than tap water. Meanwhile, 12% of Fiji's population still lacks access to clean drinking water. The company's factory runs on diesel generators, producing 85,396 metric tons of CO2 emissions annually, while marketing itself as environmentally responsible.

Tax disputes with the Fijian government reveal another tension. FIJI Water paid approximately $500,000 in corporate taxes over several years while generating millions in revenue from the country's natural resources. When Fiji imposed a 15-cent-per-liter tax in 2010, the company temporarily shut down operations rather than accept the new rate.

The brand's environmental promises have fallen short of reality. FIJI Water's "Carbon Negative" campaign pledged to offset 120% of emissions but planted only 250 acres of trees by 2009—far from the 200,000 acres needed. Recent lawsuits challenge the company's claims about recycled materials and "natural" products, with laboratory tests revealing microplastics and BPA in bottles marketed as pure.

Takeaways

FIJI Water demonstrates how effective branding can transform a commodity into a luxury product. The Resnicks recognized this potential when they acquired the company in 2004, expanding it into a cornerstone of their diverse portfolio. However, consumer expectations around sustainability and corporate responsibility continue to evolve.

The brand's future success may depend on addressing fundamental contradictions between its marketing claims and operational reality. As social media amplifies scrutiny of corporate practices, companies can no longer rely solely on premium positioning to maintain market share.

For consumers, FIJI Water's story illustrates the importance of examining claims beyond surface-level marketing. The gap between a brand's environmental promises and actual performance reveals why transparency matters more than ever in today's marketplace.

FAQs

Q1. Who currently owns FIJI Water? 

FIJI Water is owned by billionaires Stewart and Lynda Resnick through their company, The Wonderful Company. They acquired the brand in 2004 for approximately $50 million.

Q2. How did FIJI Water start? 

FIJI Water was founded in 1996 by Canadian businessman David Gilmour. The idea came to him while operating a luxury resort on Wakaya Island in Fiji, when he noticed guests drinking imported water.

Q3. What are some environmental concerns associated with FIJI Water? 

Environmental concerns include a significant carbon footprint from long-distance shipping, plastic waste, and controversies surrounding the company's "Carbon Negative" campaign claims.

Q4. Has FIJI Water faced any controversies in Fiji? 

Yes, FIJI Water has faced controversies including tax disputes with the Fijian government, issues related to local access to clean water, and labor strikes by Fijian workers.

Q5. What steps is FIJI Water taking to address environmental concerns? 

FIJI Water is transitioning to 100% recycled plastic bottles by 2025 and has implemented various sustainability initiatives, including forest restoration and renewable energy projects. However, the effectiveness of these measures is still debated.