Hydro Intl. Wins Export Award for South American Growth

Hydro Intl. has been recognized with an export award in recognition of its success and plans for further growth in Central and South America.

Hydro, whose North and South American storm water division is headquartered in Portland, Maine, has been announced winner of the International Trade and Investment Awards by the Maine International Trade Center (MITC). The Exporter of the Year Award is awarded to a manufacturer that has demonstrated an ongoing commitment to international trade through increased exports.

Hydro won its first South American contract for storm water treatment equipment in 2007. Its first South American contract for wastewater degritting equipment at the city of Maua, Brazil came in 2013. Hydro participated in the 2011 State of Maine Trade Mission to Brazil and Chile organized by MITC and has seen increased business opportunities as a result of the trade mission. The awards will be officially presented during Maine International Trade Day on May 15, at Cross Insurance Center in Bangor.

Hydro International’s vortex separation technologies for storm water and wastewater treatment are already providing innovative solutions to flooding and environmental protection in Brazil and Mexico. Last year Hydro appointed Steve Hides as President of Hydro Americas in recognition of the further growth potential the company has identified in both Central and South America.

“MITC has provided valuable assistance and advice on many occasions and helped Hydro evaluate market opportunities in several countries, including Brazil and Mexico," Hides said. "Already, we have seen the installation of multiple Downstream Defender units in Brazil and Mexico. We are confident that we’ll continue to see growth potential elsewhere in Central and South America with opportunities emerging in Chile and Columbia, too."

Hydro’s initial focus for Central and South America has been to develop strong working relationships with specialist distributors. Hydro recently signed a partnership agreement with the Soluciones Hidropluviales of Mexico City following their success in marketing Hydro’s Downstream Defender advanced vortex separator and Hydro-Brake flow control (known as the Reg-U-Flo in North America).

In Mexico, Hydro’s technologies are offering solutions to mitigate the country’s water scarcity problems through rainwater reuse and recycling. For example, Hydro’s Downstream Defender and Up-Flo filter provided a central element of the water management solution that helped deliver a flagship social rehabilitation project in the center of Monterrey.

Downstream Defender has played a role in flagship developments such as El Dorado Towers in South America, one of Brazil’s tallest buildings. Hydro is working closely with Sao Paulo-based Acquabrasilis on water projects in the region.

Source: Hydro Intl.