Business News 08/07/2020

Aug. 7, 2020

The latest water and wastewater business news

Motion Industries Announces Two Acquisitions

Motion Industries, Inc. announced two acquisitions. Motion has entered into agreements to acquire TRC Hydraulics, a Canadian-based supplier of hydraulic products and services, and F&L Industrial Solutions, Inc., a distributor of T-slotted aluminum extrusion components. Both transactions closed with an effective date of Aug. 1, 2020.

Grundfos Announces Virtual Walk for Water

Water technology company Grundfos will host the Grundfos Virtual Walk for Water on Sept. 26 and 27, 2020. This is the 10th annual walk in support of the fight against the global water crisis.

Open for everyone in the world to participate, the walk will take place virtually this year due to public health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the press release. 

Grundfos and Water Mission are encouraging participants to follow their government’s health and safety guidelines. Registration is free. The fundraiser’s goal is $140,000 in donations.

The Grundfos Virtual Walk for Water Kick-Off will be broadcast on Sept. 25, 2020 on global platforms including: LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube.

Hydraulic Institute Announces Availability of Pump Systems

The Hydraulic Institute (HI) announced the availability of its HI Pump Systems Matter (PSM) Basic Training platform to non-member organizations. 

“Pumps are the prolific drivers of most necessities and their performance can make or break the functions of water lines, heating and cooling systems, processing operations, and more,” said Michael Michaud, Executive Director, Hydraulic Institute. “As the workforce shifts, it’s vital that education and training be available in the marketplace. Whether a municipality, public utility or a pump system distributor, it is so important to empower decision-makers across industries to learn and assert the latest best practices in building their systems.”

Tnemec’s 2020 Tank of the Year Accepting Entries

Tnemec’s 2020 Tank of the Year is now accepting entries, according to Scott Keilbey, sales director, Water Tank Market. All tank styles are eligible and the deadline for nominating projects is Sept. 30.

Nominations can be submitted electronically by visiting tnemec.com/tankoftheyear. The overall winner of the Tank of the Year contest will be announced Oct. 23.

As stated in the press release, the important calendar dates for the 2020 Tank of the Year contest are:

  • Sept. 30 Tank Nominations Close
  • Oct. 5 Voting Opens at 9:00 a.m. CST
  • Oct. 16 Voting Closes at 5:00 p.m. CST
  • Oct. 19 People’s Choice & Finalists Announced
  • Oct. 23 Tank of the Year Announced

Seeq Corporation Announces Expanded Support for Microsfot Cloud Services

Seeq Corporation, a leader in manufacturing and industrial internet of things (IIoT) advanced analytics software, and 2020 Microsoft Partner of the Year Award finalist (Energy), announced expanded support for Microsoft Cloud services.  

“We’re expanding our support for the Microsoft Cloud to better serve the digital transformation needs of our process manufacturing customers,” said Megan Buntain, director of Cloud Partnerships at Seeq. “Seeq’s success is a credit to our team’s investments in integration with Microsoft Azure, Microsoft 365 and other Microsoft cloud offerings.” 

Endress+Hauser Expands Digital Service Experience for Projects

Endress+Hauser announced the expansion of end users’ digital experience on instrument projects with the release of their digital commissioning application and Netilion projects digital turnover package. These new capabilities empower the plant startup team to mitigate project risks while staying on time and budget and to track progress in real time, according to the press release.

Project benefits include:

  • Real time visibility and insights of work progress, issues and completion
  • Efficient project setup, automatic data sheet, tag lists and template uploads for improved work planning
  • Collaborative, dynamic digital guide for work process execution
  • Intuitive, easy app for all techs and supervisors to learn, use and enjoy
  • Evergreen digital turnover package powered by Netilion IIoT connected services

For more information click here

SFPUC Launches New Financial Assistance Program

The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) is launched a new program that will provide 20% discounts off water and sewer bills to help small businesses and nonprofit organizations cope with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are facing the tough reality that this pandemic is not going away anytime soon, and we know what kind of pressures that puts on the business and nonprofit communities as they work to recover,” said SFPUC General Manager Harlan L. Kelly, Jr. “Offering discounted sewer and water rates for small businesses and nonprofits can help them focus their resources on their core services. We are doing our small part to help these entities emerge from this pandemic stronger and more resilient.”

More information on the program, including how to apply and if you qualify can be found at sfwater.org/commercialCOVID.

The City of Natchez Water Works Joins DIPRA's Century Club

The Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association (DIPRA) inducted the City of Natchez Water Works in Natchez, Mississippi into the DIPRA Century Club, which recognizes utilities that have had cast iron pipes in service for 100 years or more.

"The overall integrity of the cast iron pipe remains in good condition and should last us for years to come," said Utility Superintendent Tony W. Moon. "The infrastructure in a water system should be designed and maintained to outlast all of the infrastructure it serves. With the addition of proven Ductile iron pipe in the system, we expect to deliver water service to our community for centuries to come. We can never settle for anything less than 'forever.'"

Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA) Board of Directors Declares June 19th Paid Holiday

Buffalo Sewer Authority (BSA) Board of Directors declared June 19th a paid holiday for Buffalo Sewer Employees. 

“I am proud to announce that June 19th will be recognized as a paid holiday for Buffalo Sewer Authority employees and I hope that we all take this day to educate, connect, and reflect on the

Black experience in America. In the years since the end of slavery a lot of progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go. It is the hope of the Buffalo Sewer Authority that this official recognition of Juneteenth as a holiday can play a small role in honoring all members of our community who fight for equality.” said Herbert L. Bellamy, Chairman of Buffalo Sewer Board of Directors.

KKR and XPV Acquire Environmental Dynamics International (EDI)

A global strategic platform established by KKR and XPV Water Partners to provide end-to-end nutrient management solutions announced the acquisition of Environmental Dynamics International, Inc. (“EDI”), a leading global manufacturer of diffused aeration systems.

The addition of EDI accelerates the growth of the water quality platform’s nutrient management offerings through Nexom, Inc. (“Nexom”) and Environmental Operating Solutions, Inc. (“EOSi”). 

In connection with the acquisition, EDI will integrate into Nexom, combining EDI’s expertise in serving medium- to large-scale treatment facilities – both in North America and internationally – with Nexom’s expertise in serving small- to medium-sized treatment facilities, according to the press release. As CEO of Nexom, Martin Hildebrand will lead the combined entities.

Scottish Water Horizons and Xylem Water Solutions UK Announce Partnership 

Scottish Water Horizons, a commercial subsidiary of Scottish Water, and Xylem Water Solutions, have announced a new partnership that will help developers improve efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.

The organizations have teamed up to provide the Scottish developer market with exclusive access to the world’s first waste water pump system with integrated intelligence, Xylem’s Flygt Concertor system, according to the press release, which can be read in full here.

Networking News

  • Kevin McGinnis, President of Cotey Chemical Corporation in Lubbock Texas, has been selected as the 2021 McEllhiney Distinguished Lecturer by the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) and Groundwater Foundation (GF).
  • Brown and Caldwell announced the onboarding of Sebastien Le Scraigne as Vancouver leader.
  • KKR and XPV Water Partners announced the appointment of Chris McIntire as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its newly created water quality solutions platform focused on pressing water quality challenges across the globe. McIntire will also join the platform’s Board of Directors.
  • David Dupre, P.E., with Meyer Engineers, Ltd. of Metairie, has been elected as chairman of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Louisiana for 2020-2021.
  • Kemco Systems, a global water and energy technology company, recently announced the hiring of Regional Sales Manager Nathan Mein.
  • Schnabel Engineering promoted Jeremy Brown, PE to Associate Engineer. 
  • Jesse Hill recently joined Beckhoff Automation USA as Process Industry Manager. 
  • Asahi/America, Inc. announced the reissuance of its ISO 9001:2015 certificate. The Massachusetts-based company has received continuous ISO certification since 1996.
About the Author

Cristina Tuser

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