COMMENTARY
30 June 2008
Water solutions saving a thirsty planet linked the six winners of the 2008 Water Industry Alliance Awards held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on May 30.
The Water Industry Alliance (WIA) represents more than 200 South Australian water businesses whose total exports have exceeded $2 billion in the past decade.
The awards were presented in the categories of Innovation, Export Development, Emerging Exporter, Collaborative Teaming, Marketing Excellence and the Chairman’s Award acknowledging individual achievement.
WIA CEO Joe Flynn said the winners were representative of the overall quality of businesses and organisations that form the not for profit, Water Industry Alliance.
“South Australia is emerging as a global player in water related technology and intelligence,” he said. “The winners of the 2008 Awards highlight how the knowledge and technology being produced here is being adopted throughout the world.South Australian water companies are at the leading edge of responding to the global challenges of food production and climate change. Many of the solutions are contributing to water optimisation on a global scale, saving water while also getting a better result or better yield.”
The judging panel included: Dennis Gibson, General Manager Water Resources, Rio Tinto; John Nieuwland, Manager Customer Resource Management, Sydney Water; Barry Salter, SA State President of the Australian Marketing Institute and CEO of the Council for International Trade and Commerce.
Click here to view photos of the night.
Chairman’s Award
Ian Smith, Chicago Trade Commissioner, Austrade
As well as putting together the first US water focussed trade mission, Ian has played an exceptional role in facilitating networking introductions and promotional opportunities in the US – a key market for the South Australian water industry. “It has been vital to have such a passionate and knowledgeable supporter of the water industry on the ground in such a key market. I have received a lot of positive comments from our members who have found him to be a vital link in the chain,” said WIA Chairman Mike Terlet, AO.
Collaborative Teaming Award
Waterproofing Northern Adelaide Regional Subsidiary
Playford, Salisbury and Tea Tree Gully Councils have worked together with the State and Commonwealth Governments to secure funding for a $104 million project that will convert previously disposed of stormwater into a useable resource. The upgrade of the Community Water Management System will substitute 30% of the mains water in the region and is instrumental in drought proofing most major recreational areas and most school ovals throughout the region.
Innovation Award
Intelligent Software Development
Intelligent Software Development’s modelling tool SIMULAIT WATER uses artificial intelligence technology tested in the defence sector to create a virtual replica of a water system. This enables key decision makers to asses the future impact of proposed strategies before they are implemented according to CEO Dr Don Perugini. “SIMULAIT WATER simplifies the planning process and provides detailed rigorous and holistic analysis of infrastructure and water policies that was previously not possible. Ultimately it will help address the water crisis effectively through better management of water resources and reduced infrastructure costs.” Find out more at www.intelligentsoftware.com.au
Emerging Export Award
Baleen Filters Pty Ltd
Baleen Filters produces the internationally patented filter by the same name that extends the capabilities of self-cleaning filtration and uses less than 2% of the electricity used by traditional equipment. Baleen Filters’ initial export success in Singapore, New Zealand, South Africa and Dubai has been a major factor in annual sales growth of almost 100% per annum for the past two years. Baleen is fast becoming recognised as the missing link in water treatment with plans to continue to grow exports with an increased focus on South East Asia in 2008. Find out more at www.baleenfilters.com
Export Development Award
Maric Flow Control Australia
Maric Flow Control valves regulate water flow to a maximum pre-set rate over a wide pressure range that protects pumps and minimises disruptions. Forty percent of total production is exported to the US, Europe, South East Asia, Southern Africa, the UK, the Middle East and New Zealand. Korea and Lebanon are emerging as new frontiers for Maric Flow Control where local municipal boosting pumps are exposed to erratic consumer demand that leads to inequitable supply and premature pump failure and consequently disruptions in water supply. Find out more at www.maric.com.au
Marketing Excellence Award
Waterfind
National water broker, Waterfind, has launched a new ‘Water Indices’ information service for irrigators and water industry professionals. Developed as a value added service for clients, the indices provide a visual representation of historical trading data and also the key influencers such as rainfall, water storages and allocation events which may affect the supply and demand for water and consequently price. “Accessing water information is very difficult. Waterfind believes that providing transparency of water information is critical to Australia maturing its water policies,” said Waterfind CEO, Tom Rooney. Newspapers have been quick to sign-up to the new service with weekly indices being published by both the Murray Pioneer in South Australia’s Riverland and also the Rural in Southern NSW.
Find out more at www.waterfind.com.au
Water solutions for the world from the driest state
in the driest inhabited continent
South Australia is the driest state in the world’s driest inhabited continentand is emerging as a world class, export oriented hub of water technology and services. Nature has demanded innovation in the way we use water, positioning us at the forefront of responding to climate change and water scarcity.
Collectively, our members have grown annual exports of South Australian water technology products and water management services from $25m to
$379m with accumulated exports exceeding $2bn.
Formed in 1998, the Water Industry Alliance is a not for profit cluster of almost 200 water-related organisations focused on growing the South Australian water industry. Download the 'Water Industry Brochure' PDF for further information.
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