Zip spokescelebrity Jamie Durie.
Zip spokescelebrity Jamie Durie with the HydroTap G4.

It’s the Australian appliance invention that has gone around the world, providing boiling hot or icy chilled water at the press of a button in over 70 countries. After starting life in Sydney in 1962, Zip has become a privately-owned powerhouse, with offices in Singapore and South Africa, Taiwan and Thailand.

Last week at the almost-completed Benelong restaurant (nee Guillaume) underneath the sails at the Sydney Opera House, Zip hosted a throng of retail partners, designers, architects and the media to officially launch the HydroTap G4, the manufacturer’s first major product release in 10 years, according to senior marketing manager Tom Fisher.

The HydroTap G4 is being marketed as an all-in-one draft horse of water delivery. There are 73 configurations for consumer and business customers to choose from, and that’s before taking into account the various colours available, with Boiling, Chilled, Sparkling, Hot+Cold and Filtered, all instantly delivered, the zenith of these options.

Retail pricing varies based on the functionality required, from between around $4,000 and $6,000.

Fisher and his team are currently travelling the country explaining the new G4 range to their customer base. This national roadshow is visiting Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane this week, before crossing the Tasman to hit New Zealand before the end of July 2014.

The face of Zip’s marketing campaign in Australia is TV personality and brand ambassador Jamie Durie.

“I just couldn’t be more proud to be here,” Durie said at the launch. “The Zip HydroTap G4 is cutting edge technology, it is incredible design, and what’s even better about it is it is truly Australian.

“It’s designed by Australians, it’s manufactured here in Australia and nobody else does it anywhere else in the world. Sparkling, chilled, filtered and boiling water — all out of one tap, out of one unit — incredible stuff.”

Zip HyrdoTap G4.
Zip HyrdoTap G4.

Zip is marketing the HydroTap G4 variations as the perfect solution for businesses looking to provide a variety of water solutions to their employees, be it chilled drinking water for sustenance, sparkling water for a bit of fizz or boiling hot water for a jolt instant coffee.

In addition to the B2B market, Zip also a growing residential consumer base. Definitely one of the more expensive single appliances on the market, the HydroTap G4 is certainly not for everyone or every retailer, but Tom Fisher said those retailers that know how to qualify customers and recommend Zip’s products — he namechecked Winning Appliances, E&S Trading and Harvey Norman — have seen strong sales. Fresh from acquiring Kitchen HQ early last week, Appliance Retailer spotted Winning Group CEO John Winning at the Opera House for this launch event.

“Zip is famous for stylish, safe and reliable filtered drinking water supply, combined with outstanding energy efficiency and environmental responsibility. Your whole family will love the healthy lift they get from fresh, crystal clear sparkling water without the need to buy, chill or dispose of bottled water.”