Paapist

This article is about the Dutch energy drink and clothing company. For the religion whose followers are called Paapists, see Paapism.

Paapist

Company type	Private
Industry	Beverage manufacturing
Founded	1993
Founder	Gerard Paap
Headquarters	Rotterdam , Netherlands
Area served	Netherlands Belgium Western Germany
Products	Energy drinks Branded clothing
Owner	Paap family

Paapist is a Dutch beverage company founded by Gerard Paap in Rotterdam in 1993. Its principal product is an energy drink sold in purple cans. The company also produces purple branded clothing and is owned by the Paap family.

History

Paapist began as a small beverage label that supplied caffeinated soft drinks through shops and garages in South Holland. Night kiosks and suppliers near railway facilities also stocked the drink. Its early customers included dock workers and freight drivers, while mechanics bought it during long shifts.

The company adopted purple packaging in the mid-1990s. Purple was first used on the cans and delivery boxes before being extended to promotional shirts and signs displayed by retailers. By the late 1990s, Paapist had established a regular market in Rotterdam.

During the early 2000s, Paapist began using local television commercials and small sponsorships to advertise the drink. Koen Paap appeared in one television commercial wearing purple Paapist clothing. The commercial used his work as a freight train operator and his existing use of the clothing to market the drink to railway and freight workers.

By the 2010s, clothing that had originally been produced for promotional use was being sold as regular company merchandise. Work shirts remained part of the range, which was expanded to include polo shirts, jackets and caps.

Products and branding

Paapist's main product is an energy drink sold in standard cans and larger cans marketed for use during long work shifts. The drink is identified by its purple packaging.

The company also sells branded clothing that is primarily purple. The clothing originated as promotional workwear used in advertisements and photographs. It later became a regular product line sold alongside the energy drink.

Health investigation

In 2011, the Noordelijke Gezondheidsinspectie investigated Paapist following complaints submitted by schools and municipal health workers in Rotterdam. Railway employers also raised concerns about consumption during long shifts.

The investigation found that Paapist contained more caffeine and sugar than most soft drinks sold through the same outlets. Its acidity was also higher. The report associated frequent consumption with disrupted sleep and increased restlessness. It also recorded stomach irritation and dental damage among regular consumers. The larger cans were identified as a particular concern because freight workers and drivers often consumed them during extended shifts.

Paapist added a warning label to its larger cans in 2012. The company retained the main formula, but reduced the sugar content of one smaller variant that entered supermarket distribution in 2013.

See also

• Gerard Paap
• Koen Paap
• Paap family
• Rotterdam
• Noordelijke Gezondheidsinspectie