• The first Cleantech company ever to win the competition, Aqwise was ranked first at the "Deloitte Technology Fast 50" awards competition.
HERZLIYA, Israel, Nov. 5, 2009 -- Aqwise, provider of advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions, was ranked first at the "Deloitte Technology Fast 50" competition for Israel 2009. The Fast 50 program, ranking the 50 fastest growing Israeli technology companies over a period of five years, is one of the leading ranking programs in the world, and was held by Deloitte Brightman, Almagor, Zohar in Israel for the 10th year in a row.
Aqwise, which demonstrated impressive growing rates during the past five years, is the only cleantech company on the winners list, and the first cleantech company ever to win the first place. This achievement comes alongside with the company's international expansion into new markets in Asia and South and Central America, as well as its continued efforts in developing new technological solutions for the global water and wastewater industry.
Elad Frenkel, CEO of Aqwise: "We are proud to be one of the 50 fastest growing Israeli companies -- and moreover to be ranked first. It is an honor to be the first water technologies company being ranked so high. I am sure we are bound to see many more cleantech companies on these lists in the near future. Last year's challenge was to continue to grow in a volatile business environment, without compromising on continued research and development of new technologies. Dealing with a significant slowdown in the major global markets required finding alternative growth markets and innovative business models."
Its proprietary AGAR® (Attached Growth Airlift Reactor) family of biosolutions significantly increases the capacity and efficiency of existing wastewater treatment plants, while offering compact and scalable deployments of new plants. Among advantages cited for the technology were:
• Cost efficient
• Small footprint
• Fast deployment
• Scalable & simple operation
• Flexible & innovative technology
• Durable & stable
• Intensive Nitrification
• Environmentally friendly
Aqwise (www.aqwise.com) is a world leader in the development and implementation of advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions for the Industrial and Municipal markets. The company offers a wide range of services, from process design through full turn-key project management. Aqwise's solutions have been successfully installed in dozens of municipal and industrial plants around the world, serving a variety of industries including: Food & Beverage, Pulp & Paper, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, etc. With headquarters in Israel, it has regional offices in Latin America, as well as commercial representation in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The company's shareholders are AHMSA Steel Israel Ltd., Elron Electronic Industries Ltd. and Israel Cleantech Ventures.
AHMSA Steel Israel Ltd. (www.ahmsasteel.com), a subsidiary of Altos Hornos de Mexico, the largest integrated steel producer in Mexico, was founded in February 2004 as an investment and holding company, for diverse industrial sectors, from mining through wastewater solutions.
Nasdaq-traded Elron Electronic Industries Ltd. (www.elron.com), a member of the IDB Holding Group, is a leading Israelbased technology holding company directly involved in the long-term performance of its group companies. Elron identifies potential technologies, creates strategic partnership, secures financing and recruits senior management teams. Its group companies currently comprise of a diverse range of publicly-traded and privately held companies primarily in the fields of medical devices, information & communications technology, semiconductors and clean technology.
Israel Cleantech Ventures (ICV) was established in 2006 to provide value added growth capital to exceptional entrepreneurs building Israel's energy, water and environmental technology leaders. ICV's investment professionals combine industry expertise gained through decades in senior management positions at Israel's outstanding cleantech companies, with proven abilities in identifying, investing in and supporting VC-backed companies. For further information please visit: www.israelcleantech.com
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Related Articles:
-- New installations in Europe and Latin America [5 Nov 2009, "The Aqwiser" e-newsletter]
-- Aqwise named a Global 100 clean technology company [16 Sep 2009]
-- Aqwise expands its global activity and closes deals in over $1M [16 Jul 2009]
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