WARRENDALE, PA, Nov. 1, 2005 -- After the acquisition, Siemens will further integrate the USFilter portfolio into its global operations to benefit from the brand awareness and know-how of one of the leading U.S. water treatment companies. "The increased capabilities resulting from the acquisition enable Siemens to offer more comprehensive solutions for municipal and industrial markets," Dr. Roger Radke, CEO of Siemens Water Technologies and USFilter Corp., was expected to state at a breakfast meeting with water trade editors during the 78th annual Water Environment Federation WEFTEC conference in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 1.
As stringent environmental standards for water and wastewater treatment are being introduced across the globe, according to Radke pressure is growing on existing facilities for the treatment of clean drinking and process water, safe industrial effluents, sewage and the resultant sludge. "Siemens offers a broad range of products and services for the water industry as being a new focus of its contribution to securing the development of cities, regions and industry today and in the years to come," Radke said.
In the U.S., new standards are forcing the domestic water industry to increase investment in technology upgrades and system expansion at a faster pace after years of relative inactivity. According to a recent Frost & Sullivan study, the overall spending on water in the U.S. grew by only 2% between 1992 and 2003, while the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that $138 billion is required by 2016 to upgrade or replace the water infrastructure. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently set projections over the next 20 years for investments on drinking water and wastewater systems in the U.S. with a low estimate of $24.6 billion annually.
"It's no wonder, then, that the industry has seen recent consolidation with the entry of large companies like Siemens AG which are able to capitalize on this opportunity by providing an expanded portfolio of solutions and services," Radke said. The Siemens Group Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) purchased USFilter Corp. of Warrendale, Pa., from Veolia Environnement in 2004, making it the cornerstone of the new Siemens Water Technologies global business - which now generates nearly $1.9 billion in annual revenues.
The increased capabilities now enable Siemens to offer more comprehensive solutions for municipal and industrial markets in which the company historically served. Due to these synergies Siemens subsidiaries in United States and Europe could book nearly US$40 million for water-specific projects, which could not be realized before. A treatment facility in the U.S. not only chose Siemens electrical distribution equipment for a plant upgrade but also outsourced installation, commissioning and maintenance services to the company. The Oil&Gas business of Siemens I&S in Canada is incorporating USFilter technologies for treating water discharge in oil extraction processes from tar sand. Water-intensive industries such as pulp and paper can specify Siemens for both manufacturing process and treatment systems and services.
Radke outlined the company's plan to bring USFilter technology to global customers via the Siemens world-wide network of sales and service offices. "Siemens is present in 190 countries," he said. He also stressed innovation as a key to the company's growth plans, and announced formation of a new technology development group within the company. The group is charged with pulling all of the company's R&D efforts together, and tapping into the capability of Siemens Corporate Technologies and Research to bring new products and services to customers. He cited a recent survey which showed that the supply of controls and technology from the same supplier was viewed positively by about 90% of respondents.
Effective Oct. 1, Siemens Water Technologies has started integration of the primary I&S water business focused on electrical systems and drive technology, instrumentation, process control systems, IT technologies and process engineering. "This new subdivision -- Electrical Systems & Automation -- extends our portfolio of USFilter with solutions for the water management," Radke said. "Coupled with Siemens expertise in automation and process control, the company is offering what our customers in the United States and worldwide want from a water treatment supplier."
Siemens Water Technologies (www.siemens.com/water), delivers cost-effective, reliable water and wastewater treatment systems and services to municipal, industrial, commercial and institutional customers worldwide. The division "Water Technologies" -- which includes USFilter (www.usfilter.com) -- is part of Siemens' Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S), which provides innovative solutions and services designed to improve competitiveness in processing and manufacturing industries and in infrastructure. In fiscal 2004, I&S employed a total of 30,000 people worldwide and achieved total sales of EUR 4.290 billion.
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In related company news:
Siemens Water Technologies appoints Helguera y Asociados as biopharm rep in Mexico, Latin America -- WARRENDALE, PA, Oct. 31, 2005 -- Siemens Water Technologies announces that it has selected Helguera y Asociados SA de CV to be its representative for the biopharmaceutical market in Mexico and Latin America. A Mexican company with 15 years of experience in water purification, Helguera will represent Siemens Water Technologies, selling and servicing its water purification systems in Mexico and Latin America. Helguera is recognized in the market for its highly trained staff and focus on providing superior, professional service.
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