In other news below:
-- Verano acquires leading SCADA security, integration firm
-- Integrated Environmental Technologies enters national water treatment arena
-- MWH acquires Australia-based Liquid Earth
-- Networkcar signs deal with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago
-- Aqua America rings in 2006 with water/wastewater acquisition
-- R.W. Beck opens DC office, to present at Design-Build Water/Wastewater Conference
-- Tessenderlo Kerley granted patent on process for preparing calcium thiosulfate solution
-- BOC helps poultry industry produce better food for consumers
-- 'Planet H2O' to highlight precious resource on public TV for Earth Day
-- PetroQuest Resources Inc. acquires majority ownership in brine water disposal well
-- Fluent, Utah State join in DOE Nuclear Energy Research Initiative grant
-- Enercon selected for new nuclear power plant license application
-- FuelCell sells first Japanese power plant at Sharp Electronics 'green' facility
-- JMAR names new BioSentry rep for UK, Ireland and Belgium
Riverside Co. purchases ITT Richter Chemie-Technik -- Leveraged buyout is third through Riverside's European offices in last four weeks -- KEMPEN, Germany, Jan. 24, 2006 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Riverside Co. today announced the purchase of ITT Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH, a leading supplier of pumps, valves, controls and related services to selected segments of the chemical, fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. With this transaction, Riverside has tapped its third acquisition of 2006. Richter also marks Riverside Europe's third purchase in the last four weeks; in late December, the firm's European offices closed the acquisitions of Diatron and Heat Seekers.
In this transaction, Riverside partnered with Guenter Naasner, Richter's CEO, and other members of the Company's management team, to purchase Richter from its parent organization, ITT Industries Inc. Richter, based in Kempen, Germany, also has a manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China. Its customers include Akzo Nobel, BASF, Bayer, Degussa, Dow DSM, Formosa Plastics, Grace, Pfizer Uhde, Sanofi Aventis and Schering, as well as many others.
"Richter offers a prime opportunity to jump into the current of a mature industry with a stable competitive landscape," said Kai Koeppen, Partner in Riverside's Munich office. "The Company has a long, successful history of focusing on product and application technologies."
The Riverside Co. (www.riversidecompany.com and www.riversideeurope.com) is the largest private equity firm focused on the smaller end of the middle market: premier companies with enterprise values of less than $100 million. Since 1988, the firm has invested in 123 transactions and its current portfolio in the U.S. and Europe numbers 44. With eight offices in North America and Europe, Riverside has produced top quartile returns for its investors, which are among the world's leading pension funds, endowments, funds-of-funds, insurance companies and banks.
ITT Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH (www.richter-ct.com) is a leading supplier of pumps, valves, controls and related services to selected segments of the chemical, fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. The Company holds a leading position in fluoro-polymer lined pumps and valves for handling highly corrosive fluids in the chemical and pharmaceutical process industries. With headquarters in Kempen, Germany, Richter also has a manufacturing facility in Nanjing, China, and employs about 220 people.
Also see: "ITT Industries announces sale of Richter Chemie-Technik GmbH"
---
Among other recent headlines:
• Verano acquires leading SCADA security, integration firm -- Verano, PlantData Technologies offer customers one-stop-shop for SCADA and mission-critical security solutions -- MANSFIELD, MA, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Verano Inc. has acquired PlantData Technologies, a leading SCADA security, IT services and industrial automation firm with headquarters in Houston, TX. Remaining an independent subsidiary of Verano, PlantData Technologies compliments all aspects of Verano's business from its market-leading security solution, Industrial Defender, to its mission-critical SCADA platform and integration services, offering customers a one-stop-shop for all their real-time control and security needs. Both companies are practicing experts in SCADA and mission-critical real-time security, targeting customers in power generation, transmission and distribution, water distribution and treatment, gas and liquid pipelines, and mass transit systems...
• Integrated Environmental Technologies enters national water treatment arenaIET. unit signs two-year EcaFlo supply agreement with Layne Christensen -- LITTLE RIVER, SC, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Integrated Environmental Technologies Ltd.'s wholly owned subsidiary, I.E.T. Inc., has entered into a two year supply agreement for its proprietary EcaFlo™ devices with Layne Christensen Co., one of the world's leading water services providers. Under terms of the agreement, IET plans to deliver its initial equipment orders in the first quarter of 2006. The equipment is integrated into water systems to control bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microorganisms by using the process known as electro-chemical activation (ECA)...
Also see: "IET makes first sale of EcaFlo equipment under new supply agreement with Layne Christensen"
• MWH acquires Australia-based Liquid Earth -- BROOMFIELD, CO, Jan. 24, 2006 -- MWH, a global provider of environmental, engineering and construction services, today announced the acquisition of Liquid Earth, a consultancy firm based in Perth, Australia, that provides hydrogeologic services to mining and industrial clients. The move enhances MWH's strategy to build a stronger presence in South Asia Pacific and increase the types of services offered to natural resource industry clients in that region. Formed in 1998 and headed by Doug Brown, Liquid Earth recently won Pilbara Iron's "Provision of Intellectual Services" award...
• Networkcar announces three-year agreement with Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago -- SAN DIEGO, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Networkcar, a Reynolds & Reynolds company specializing in remotely monitoring vehicle location and diagnostics, has been awarded a three-year agreement to provide its Networkfleet™ wireless vehicle management system to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago (MWRD). Serving more than 10 million people, the district's major responsibilities and activities include: wastewater reclamation; the tunnel and reservoir plan; waterways control; and the industrial waste program...
• Aqua America rings in 2006 with water/wastewater acquisition, new growth venture in northeast PA -- BRYN MAWR, PA, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Aqua America Inc. announced acquisition of a water and wastewater system by its Pennsylvania subsidiary, marking the company's first acquisition of 2006. Aqua Pennsylvania Inc. acquired the water and wastewater systems serving the Masthope residential community in Lackawaxen Township, Pike County, for a combined purchase price of approximately $2.3 million. In addition, it announced a new growth venture was recently approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) that will expand the company's service area in Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County, to accommodate a developer's request for water service for about 200 residents. The new development is adjacent to the Jefferson Heights water system, which the company acquired in 2003...
• R.W. Beck opens D.C. area office, announces two additions -- WASHINGTON, DC, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Effective immediately, management consulting and engineering firm R. W. Beck, Inc. has opened an office in the Washington, D.C., area to better assist solid waste, water and energy clients in the East. In addition, two consultants will staff the new office: Steven R. Stein, formerly of Gershman, Brickner & Bratton Inc. (GBB) in Fairfax, VA, where he was a senior project manager; and Kristian Ferguson, also previously worked at GBB with five years experience...
Also see: "R.W. Beck to highlight alternative project delivery at 2006 Design-Build in Water/Wastewater Conference"
• Tessenderlo Kerley granted patent on process for preparing calcium thiosulfate solution -- PHOENIX, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Tessenderlo Kerley Inc. (TKI) announced it was approved for U.S. patent No. 6,984,368 B2; Process For Preparing Calcium Thiosulfate Solution. Calcium thiosulfate marketed as CaTs® is a neutral to slightly acidic, chlorine free, clear solution, containing 6% calcium and 10% thiosulfate sulfur. It may be applied to a wide variety of ornamental, turf, greenhouse, and other agricultural crops to correct calcium deficiencies with the added benefit of thiosulfate sulfur. In addition to agricultural crops, CaTs has applications in water treatment and mining process chemistry...
• BOC helps poultry industry produce better food for consumers -- Highlights product, service capabilities at International Poultry Exhibition -- MURRAY HILL, NJ, Jan. 23, 2006 -- Families all over the world are eating fresher and tastier chicken, turkey and duck thanks to BOC's work with some of the world's largest poultry processors. A global supplier to hundreds of poultry plants across the globe, the company helps processors improve product consistency, taste and freshness, while reducing waste and downtime, controlling costs and increasing yield. BOC will be displaying its cryogenic freezing and chilling technologies, process optimization and water management services for poultry processors from Jan. 25-27 in Booth 124 of the International Poultry Exhibition in Atlanta, Georgia...
Also see: "Top chicken producers reported to have slashed antibiotic use; Action will help curtail spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to humans, group says"
• 'Planet H2O' on public TV circles globe to bring young viewers story of world's most vital resource -- NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Planet H2O, a two-part special focusing on fresh water systems around the world and their impact on land, air and living things, premieres on public television stations in April to mark Earth Day (check local listings). The new magazine-style program from Thirteen/WNET New York and distributed nationally by American Public Television helps teens and pre-teens understand the interconnection between water and every life-form on Earth, using stories about young people and what they are doing about water conservation. The first episode is hosted by actress Sara Paxton (Darcy's Wild Life). The second episode is hosted by actress America Ferrera (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Real Women Have Curves)...
• PetroQuest Resources Inc. acquires majority ownership in brine water disposal well -- ARLINGTON, TX, Jan. 24, 2006 -- PetroQuest Resources Inc. announced today that it recently acquired a 51% ownership interest in a limited liability company that owns a brine water disposal well and two natural gas wells situated on 35 acres of leased land in Vinton County, Ohio. The facilities incident to the brine water disposal well also include holding tanks and the equipment necessary to pump treated brine water into a geological formation approved by the state of Ohio for brine water disposal. The company expects the brine water disposal well business to reach stabilized operations status on about March 1. It's anticipated net revenue it will receive from the business in 2006 will be roughly $300,000 to $500,000, increasing significantly over the next several years...
• Fluent partners with Utah State University in DOE Nuclear Energy Research Initiative grant -- LEBANON, NH, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Fluent Inc., world leader in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software and services, today announces its partnership with Utah State University in a Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Energy Research Initiative (NERI) grant for the evaluation and improvement of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) turbulence modeling methods for simulating Generation IV nuclear power plant components...
Also see:
-- "Fluent Asia Pacific, DEM Solutions deliver advanced particulate modeling CFD capability in Japan"
-- "Fluent introduces CoolSim data center environment thermal audit solution to North American market"
• Enercon selected for new nuclear power plant license application -- It's to develop combined construction, operation license application for Westinghouse AP1000 plant -- TULSA, OK, Jan. 24, 2006 -- Enercon Services Inc., a Tulsa-based company with offices nationwide, has been awarded a contract by Duke Power to prepare a Combined Construction and Operation License Application (COLA) for a Westinghouse AP 1000 nuclear plant design at a site to be determined later. The project will be executed by a team of companies led by Enercon, which includes Burns and Roe Enterprises of Oradell, NJ, William Lettis and Associates of Walnut Creek, CA, and MACTEC Engineering and Consulting of Charlotte, NC. Enercon's New Plant Services Division will lead this project with overall project management and licensing responsibilities. The scope of work required to support a COLA also includes site specific tasks such as engineering for cooling water systems and transmission and distribution, development of multiple programs, environmental report preparation and site geotechnical studies...
• FuelCell Energy sells first 1 MW power plant in Japan at Sharp Electronics manufacturing facility -- Ultra-clean, efficient power generation takes on central role in electronic product developer's certification of site as low-emission, environmentally sound 'Super Green Factory' -- DANBURY, CT, Jan. 24, 2006 -- FuelCell Energy Inc., a leading manufacturer of ultra-clean electric power generation plants for commercial and industrial customers, today announced that its Asian distributor, Marubeni Corp., has sold a one megawatt (MW) Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) power plant to provide electric power and high-quality heat for a Sharp Corp. production facility in Japan that manufactures advanced flat-screen TVs. The plant recycles 100 percent of its manufacturing process wastewater and introduced a Liquefied Natural Gas cogeneration system -- moves that earned the company the 2004 Japan Sustainable Management Award...
• JMAR names new BioSentry sales representative for UK, Ireland and Belgium -- SAN DIEGO, Jan. 23, 2006 -- JMAR Technologies Inc., a leading developer of advanced laser technology, has named ExcelFirst as the company's new sales representative and distributor for its BioSentry™ water-quality monitoring system in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium. The system is a laser-based one that monitors and detects waterborne microorganisms in water delivery systems in real time. ExcelFirst, located in Guildford, Surrey, will focus its sales efforts on the municipal water utilities market. Robert Siaens, the company's managing director, was formerly chairman of the Institution of Water Officers, an organization whose charter is to provide critical information regarding important water issues to its membership and includes all the major water utilities in the U.K...
Also see:
-- "JMAR moves all San Diego operations into single, larger facility"
-- "JMAR expands BriteLight laser sales, marketing presence worldwide with sales representation in Australia, Europe and South Korea"
***
In earlier newsbriefs, see: "WaterBriefs: Philadelphia Mixing Solution's HALO biological system wins business achievement award" -- Also in this report (Jan. 23, 2006): SWPA announces speakers for March training seminar; Zenon membrane system aids dual-media water plant; Flowserve valves assist Hanford nuclear waste cleanup; PA positions for new federal arsenic standards; CH2M Hill chosen to lead Sri Lanka tsunami effort; Black & Veatch takes new approach to underground utilities; Coalbed & Coal Mine Methane Conference set for Feb. 27-28; More investment aids Russian water, wastewater market; ADS unveils data analysis software for wastewater systems; Koch Membrane helps Chinese steelworks recycle water; Chemilizer injectors selected to deliver anti-scale solution; Inpro/Seal achieves record results; EBI Consulting engineer earns P.E. designation...
###
