HOUSTON, March 1, 2004 -- USFilter Operating Services, Inc., is now Veolia Water North America Operating Services, Inc., adopting the name of its parent company.
The name change results from a Sept. 2003 announcement by USFilter's parent company, Veolia Environment, of its intention to sell select USFilter equipment and consumer businesses and to focus on its core outsourcing services business.
"While the USFilter name certainly has brand recognition, we will have a greater advantage in the marketplace under the Veolia Water name," said Mike Stark, president and CEO of Veolia Water North America. "With the transition to the Veolia Water name, our business is focused at the very core of Veolia Water's $13 billion global business -- the provision of long-term design-build and operate water and wastewater services through public-private partnerships and industrial outsourcing agreements. Our business is what Veolia Water does every day around the world for more than 110 million people and thousands of companies."
The name change, which does not involve any sale or asset transfer, will not affect the business -- except to improve it, added Stark. Veolia Water North America customers now have greater access to technology through Veolia Water Systems, the company's global equipment and technology arm, and through partnerships with independent technology providers. Additionally, thousands of global water experts and ongoing research are immediately available as needed.
"Our name is changing, but more importantly, so is the market -- and very quickly," said Stark. "Cities and towns will need to spend an estimated $500 billion to $1 trillion on water and wastewater infrastructure over the next 20 years, according to various estimates from the EPA and water industry associations. Consequently, most communities need help improving their water and wastewater infrastructure and ensuring water quality while keeping rates affordable. Public-private partnerships are continuing to prove a valuable tool for more than 1,200 communities across North America, and they are constantly being refined. Our industrial customers, too, continue to see the benefit of outsourcing utility operations to the water utility experts.
"With our tightened focus, Veolia Water North America will continue to grow and change to meet the needs of this quickly evolving and expanding market. Municipalities and businesses alike need long-term technical expertise focused on cost efficiency and the environment, and that's what we can offer," said Stark.
Headquartered in Houston, Veolia Water North America generated more than $600 million in revenue in 2003 and, according to Public Works Financing, commands a 29 percent share of the municipal market.
Veolia Water North America also services a wide of range of industrial markets, including automotive, chemical, steel and oil and gas, to name a few. The company's Process Solutions division is a leading provider of crystallization and proactive sludge management programs, offering several options for separation and secondary waste recycling. Additionally, the company offers capital project management services to both municipal and industrial customers.
Company Information:
Veolia Water North America is a provider of comprehensive water and wastewater services to municipal and industrial customers, providing services to approximately 14 million people in more than 600 communities.
The company is part of Veolia Water, the No. 1 water company in the world serving more than 110 million customers. Veolia Water is the Water Division of Veolia Environment (NYSE:VE)(BOURSE:VIE), the largest environmental services company in the world with more than 295,000 employees in about 100 countries and annual revenues of more than $28.5 billion. Visit the company's web sites at www.veoliawaterna.com.
