Hydro International Wins Export Award with South American Growth

Hydro International (USA) has been recognised with a prestigious export award in recognition of its success and plans for further growth in Central and South America.

Hydro, whose North and South American Stormwater 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 stormwater 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 unique vortex separation technologies for stormwater 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.

Hides, who has more than 30 years experience working for the water management technology specialist moved to the new role to focus solely on a brief to develop Hydro’s business in the Americas, following 12 years as the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Steve Hides commented:  “MITC has provided valuable assistance and advice on many occasions and helped Hydro evaluate market opportunities in several countries, including Brazil and Mexico.  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 brand-leading 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.

Brazil has seen rapid expansion in infrastructure and property development as the country prepares for the 2014 Soccer World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.  In particular, the growing demand for commercial property by multi-national companies has generated a requirement for developments to be certified to the coveted U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED environmental standard. With its proven water treatment capabilities, Hydro’s Downstream Defender provides an economical ‘plug and play’ manufactured solution, earning developers one important LEED credit.  Downstream Defender has played an important 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.