Watts Water Technologies, Inc. declared a quarterly dividend of 11 cents (USD) per share on the company’s Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock payable on December 4 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 23. Sales for the third quarter of 2009 were $303.8 million (USD), a decrease of 18 percent, compared to the third quarter of 2008. Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $3.4 million, or $0.09 per share, compared to net income of $16.7 million, or $0.45 per share, for the third quarter of 2008.
Directors of Pentair, Inc. declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 18 cents (USD) per share payable November 13 to shareholders of record at the close of business on October 30. The company announced third quarter 2009 net earnings per diluted share from continuing operations (EPS) of $0.38, a decrease of 12 percent compared to third quarter 2008. Adjusted third quarter 2009 EPS was $0.42, compared to adjusted third quarter 2008 EPS of $0.56, a decrease of 25 percent.
Puronics, Incorporated has partnered with US EPA’s Climate Leaders Program, which guides and recognizes companies developing long-term, climate-change strategies. The company is currently investigating adding a solar photovoltaic system in an effort to reduce its usage of electricity from greenhouse gas emitting power plants by 50 percent.
At its first exhibition, the newly designed tradeshow booth for Carbon Resources won the IMPACT Award for its originality and effectiveness of design at the CA/NV AWWA Conference and Exhibition held in Las Vegas, NV.
North America
Another successful WEFTEC
A total of 17,722 water professionals and 995 exhibitors attended WEFTEC.09, the Water Environment Federation’s (WEF) 82nd annual technical exhibition and conference, in Orlando, FL. This year’s conference featured a high-quality technical program of 122 technical sessions, 31 workshops, nine facility tours and several high profile events. Planning for WEFTEC 2010, scheduled for October 2-6, 2010 in New Orleans, LA, is currently underway. More than 700 companies have already reserved over 90 percent of floor space. Visit www.weftec.org for more details.
WQA and California softener bans
With the recent passage of AB 1466 by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, WQA and other industry leaders are moving to implement a plan to help local communities confront attempts at water softener bans in their towns. WQA will activate a comprehensive plan to help local dealers educate public officials and residents when a ban is attempted. Training sessions to help dealers will be offered for free in the areas affected, covering most of southern and central California and part of the northern section.
MIOX rewarded with NSF grant
MIOX Corporation has been awarded a $149,990 (USD) National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in response to a Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I proposal entitled Investigation for the use of Chlorine Based Oxidants for Removal of Natural Organic Matter using Advanced Oxidation Processes. The funding, obtained by the company’s science team and led by Research Scientist Andrew Boal, PhD, will enable MIOX to conduct research with strong potential to improve current water purification technology across a broad spectrum of applications.
Hammonds system certified
Houston-based Hammonds Companies announced it has recently earned NSF International certification of its their vortex tablet water chlorination system. The company’s 80-P Tablet Chlorination System covers a wide range of flows up to 2,000 gpm (7,570 L/m) and offers accurate and dependable chlorine injection consistently. Product applications include potable water chlorination and industrial markets.
Pall NY headquarters opened
Pall Corporation unveiled its new corporate headquarters at 25 Harbor Park Drive in Port Washington, New York. The 276,000 square-foot facility combines Pall’s laboratory and administrative operations on Long Island into a single location. This move has enabled the company to cut its local environmental footprint in half and significantly reduce its operating costs.
Dealer location change announced
Due to steadily increasing business and a larger market area, Guthrie & Frey Water Conditioning has announced the opening of a second location in Ozaukee County, WI. The new showroom is located at W63 N672 Washington Avenue in Cedarburg. The addition of this location allows Guthrie & Frey to better serve homeowners and corporate customers in Ozaukee and Washington Counties.
SPEC news
The California Spa & Pool Industry Education Council (SPEC) announced has entered a strategic alliance with Small Business California to share information on legislative and regulatory issues affecting small businesses in California. In addition, the alliance will help the two organizations coordinate efforts in support of legislation introduced. SPEC also kicked off its 2009-2010 membership campaign at the Pool Industry Expo. The SHARK Campaign, described so because of its hard-hitting message, “Bad Laws are Like a Shark in Your Pool or Spa,” reminds industry members that it takes just one bad law to harm an entire industry.
Europe
Certification granted to Spanish firm
Severn Trent Services’ P.S. Apliclor, S.A.division has successfully been certified as meeting the requirements of ISO 14001:2004 and ISO 9001:2008, the internationally recognised standards for environmental management systems and quality management systems, respectively. The accreditations, achieved through Bureau Veritas and the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) for the division’s headquarters in Sant Martí de Sesgueioles, Spain, relate to the design, manufacture, sale, assembly, installation and maintenance of water treatment solutions, including equipment and chemicals.
Distributorship, certification announced
Parkson Corporation has granted Hydro International an exclusive license to market its high-efficiency HiOx® UltraFlex Aeration Panels in the UK and Ireland. This technology is suitable for both retrofit and new applications. The company also expanded its quality management systems to increase certification from the ISO 9001:2000 standards to the amended ISO 9001:2008 certification levels. The scope of certification upgrade includes design, engineering and project management of water and wastewater treatment systems.
Africa
Water For People and Case Foundation in Africa
Water For People announced a transformative investment from the Case Foundation to accelerate and expand efforts to provide innovative, sustainable water solutions in Africa. It will be used to support a dramatic expansion of Water For People’s programs, harnessing the power of local entrepreneurs to provide sustainable operations and maintenance support for a portfolio of community water solutions in Malawi, Rwanda, and Uganda. This will include an expansion of its successful ‘circuit rider’ program, where communities hire local entrepreneurs for effective operations and maintenance services that enhance water source sustainability.
Asia
Philippine entrepreneur nominated
Gemma Nadal Bulos has been named one of 19 nominees for the Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines 2009 award, according to Business World. Her advocacy to raise awareness on water issues to the Philippines resulted in the establishment of A Single Drop for Safe Water (ASDSW), which has helped start over 40 regional water projects. Communities are taught to create a household water treatmentor build their own community water systems Entrepreneur Of The Year was founded in the US by Ernst & Young in 1986 to recognize the achievements of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs worldwide. In 2001, it expanded the program with the World Entrepreneur Of The Year awards.
Dutch and Singapore cooperation agreement signed
Singapore and The Netherlands will increase collaboration in the fields of science, technology and innovations in the water sector. According to Water 21, The Netherlands Water Partnership and PUB have signed a letter of intent to set up The Netherlands Water House (NWH) to enhance cooperation and strengthen ties between Dutch and Singaporean businesses and research institutes in the sector.