Hydro Intl Share Discussion Threads

[eriksay] 22/2/2007 11:12

Don't worry Rivaldo - I'm at least reading your posts. I'm going to Ecobuild next week so I'll try to post a report on HYD both here and on TMF.

[rivaldo] 22/2/2007 10:54

I'll keep posting this never-ending stream (torrent, stream...geddit?) of good news - hope someone is reading it! The share price is the definition of becalmed, which I suppose is good considering the rise.

Anyway, even more news - this is about HYD's presenting at IWEX - note the emphasis on rainwater harvesting:



"IWEX presentations from Hydro International

The Hydro International range of wastewater and stormwater solutions will be demonstrated at IWEX, on Stand W35/Hall 3, and also presented in a conference paper on rainwater harvesting and recycling

Chris Williams, Hydro International European managing director will deliver the paper on Rainwater Harvesting and recycling of water at the IWEX conference. Exhibits will include a working model of the Hydro highly regarded DynaSand continuous sand filter system, which removes suspended solids and phosphates, converts ammonia and denitrifies waste water.

This technology has also been used extensively for drinking water treatment.

In addition, a working demonstration of the Hydro Grit King grit and sediment separator will show why it is now installed at many sewage treatment plants around the UK.

Other exhibits demonstrating the breadth of Hydro solutions within the framework of the water management cycle include the Stormcell and Stormbloc modular storage and infiltration solutions for stormwater management.

To supplement these, the Hydro StormBank rainwater harvesting system will be featured and the Save The Rain campaign aimed at persuading Government to include rainwater recycling in the Building Regulations for new build.

The comprehensive range of Hydro solutions consists of long-proven products together with newer and innovative systems.

The Hydro integrated approach to dealing with stormwater extends from rainwater harvesting through flow control and SUDS systems to wastewater treatment.

Visit Hydro at IWEX on stand W35 in Hall 3."

[rivaldo] 22/2/2007 07:32

Crikey - a torrent of good news :o)) More here from the USA - I like the comment "less than half the footprint" of competing devices:



"ODOT Approves Hydro International's First Defense Stormwater Treatment Device
2/21/2007 Portland, ME

The Ohio Department of Transportation's Office of Structural Engineering has approved Hydro International's 6-ft First Defense® stormwater treatment device as a designated Type 2 Precast Water Quality Structure under SS-995.

Hydro International's Stormwater Products Manager Dave Scott commented that: "Hydro is thrilled that the First Defense® has joined our Downstream Defender® as an ODOT approved water quality structure."

Great Lakes Regional Sales Manager Philip Taylor said, "Hydro International is an approved supplier under both Ohio DOT specifications, SS-995 and SS-895. This gives a complete suite of approved treatment units from one source. Compared side by side with other SS-995 approved water quality, Hydro International's Downstream Defender® and First Defense® have less than half the footprint, reducing both capital and installation costs."

Hydro International works with United Precast and Lane Enterprises to manufacture and distribute a full line of stormwater products throughout Ohio."

[rivaldo] 20/2/2007 22:52

Bet it made you smile though cheap! Cheap, any expectations for the results or snippets to pass on?

I can't get over the news flow at present - there's more tonight. I wonder if HYD will package all these distribution agreements/new product ranges etc up in the results RNS? Anyway, excellent news - HYD are to receive an almost £200k grant in the USA, which isn't insignificant for a £22m m/cap company:



"Hydro International wins $361,750 Development Award
19-Feb-2007

Hydro International has been awarded a $361,750 Development Award from the Maine Technology Institute (MTI) for the development of innovative stormwater treatment products. The grant covers overheads and staff time, in addition to materials and equipment. The project is scheduled to run for 3 years. The market for new stormwater products and technology is growing with the advent of increasingly strict stormwater management guidelines issued by the EPA.

Research & Development Manager, Kwabena Osei says, "This grant will help us in our continuing commitment to develop ground-breaking stormwater products that protect the environment from stormwater pollution."

Hydro International offers a full line of stormwater products featuring advanced hydrodynamic vortex and complementary technologies. Hydro International conducts research and testing at its full scale testing facility in Portland, Maine."

[valhalla76] 20/2/2007 22:08

lol thats the funniest home page!!

[cheap] 20/2/2007 21:39

It is a surprising home page - not sure that it inspires confidence...

[rivaldo] 20/2/2007 12:35

Here's Kristar's web site - it's worth visiting just to see the fantastic homepage!



"KriStar Enterprises, Inc. is a manufacturer of catch basin inserts and other products that remove pollutants from stormwater and urban water runoff.

KriStar Enterprises, Inc. is a full-service company that, through an extensive network of representatives, manufactures, sells, installs and maintains products that prevent non-point source pollution of our precious water resources. KriStar also manufactures and sells products designed to control erosion and prevent silt and sediment from entering the construction site drainage system.

Founded in 1993, KriStar Enterprises, Inc. is a California Corporation with headquarters in Santa Rosa, California. Doug Allard is company CEO."

[rivaldo] 19/2/2007 15:38

Terrific news flow at the moment, hopefully the share price is just consolidating before the next push.

Today we learn of more products to be distributed in the USA and Europe to leverage off of HYD's existing structure:



" Hydro International announces sales and distribution agreement for Kristar Enterprises' post construction products
14-Feb-2007

Hydro International announces that it will promote and distribute Kristar Enterprises' market leading source control products. As per the agreement, Hydro International will market and sell Kristar's FloGard®, FloGard® +Plus™, FloGard® Trench Drain Filter, FloGard® Downspout Filter and SwaleGard® under the Hydro brand east of the Mississippi and throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland.

Bob Andoh, Hydro's Director for Innovation commented that: "This range of products compliments Hydro's existing stormwater product portfolio and maintains Hydro's philosophy of addressing stormwater issues upstream at the source through small-footprint, highly innovative technologies".

"We are very excited by this opportunity to bring Kristar's innovative source control products to the UK and Ireland and increase their availability in the Eastern U.S." said Hydro CEO Steve Hides.

Kristar's President Craig Beatty commented that: "Through this partnership, European and US East Coast customers will now have enhanced access to the innovative post construction treatment products that have been so successful in California and the Western U.S."

About Kristar Enterprises
Kristar Enterprises is a manufacturer and distributor of innovative post construction stormwater treatment technologies. Incorporated in 1993, the company is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. Doug Allard is company CEO and Craig Beatty is company President."

[rivaldo] 17/2/2007 10:08

Nice RNS last night - Impax have bought another 120k shares and now have 835,000, or 5.92%. I find it rather reassuring that they're doing this only weeks before the 2006 results...

[rivaldo] 15/2/2007 08:15

Interesting briefing RNS just announced by Frost & Sullivan with relevance here, although majoring on the biological side:


Extract:
"LONDON, February 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The biological wastewater treatment
equipment segment is the most established in the European wastewater treatment equipment market. This is mainly because of its domination in the significant municipal sector and its increasing attractiveness in the industrial sector. Furthermore, the stringent EU Directives on wastewater treatment have further brought biological wastewater treatment into focus and as a result this market
continues to provide opportunities as well as challenges for equipment
suppliers in terms of tight discharge limits such as nutrient levels in the
treated wastewater stream. The biological wastewater treatment equipment
market is worth more than US$1 billion and continues to be the "bread and
butter" technology for equipment suppliers in the European market.

On this topic Frost & Sullivan will host an exclusive
interactive briefing on 22 February, 2007, at 2 p.m. GMT to provide
manufacturers, distribution channels, end-users and other industry
participants with an overview of biological wastewater treatment equipment

Highlights of the briefing include: top level market analysis
of the European biological wastewater treatment equipment market with a brief
look at key market forces such as drivers, restraint and challenges. The
briefing will also provide top level market revenue forecasts and related
trends across sectors and technology segments."

[rivaldo] 08/2/2007 19:18

Ireland is pushing forward too - they sponsored an industry seminar in January:



" HRD sponsors CIRIA - Dublin SUDS seminar
05-Jan-2007

HRD Technologies are delighted to sponsor the CIRIA "Modular SUDS Training" being held in Dublin in February 2007.

The first module "Introduction to SUDS" is being held on the 6th February 2007, at Enginners Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

This module provides information on the concepts, philosophy and the local drivers for sustainable drainage. SUDS will be discussed in relation to drainage and the built environment. Delegates will come from a variety of disciplines and will not require an understanding of SUDS. Technical understanding will range from basic through to competent.

Content will include:
- introduction to SUDS
- the SUDS management train
- discussion of SUDS components
- basic approach to SUDS design
- review of regulatory framework
- worked examples from the UK: Stroud College car park and Hopwood Motorway service area.

Following the training delegates should be able to:
- understand benefits and objectives of SUDS
- appreciate the contribution of SUDS to sustainable development
- understand the SUDS philosophy behind the SUDS management train
- utilise SUDS guidance with confidence and understand the regulatory framework.
- gain broad knowledge.

Design examples include:
- Hopwood Park Motorway service area a "demonstration site" with full management train characteristics and extensive monitoring.
- Stroud College – SUDS used for car parks with costs and comparisons with adjacent conventionally drained car park.

Module sponsors: HRD Technologies LTD & Micro Drainage"

[rivaldo] 05/2/2007 21:04

Ta Cambo. It's been a slow journey, but almost 100% in around 18 months will do me any time. Hopefully we'll see the same progress going forward.

Eriksay, good on you - make sure you interrogate the HYD reps and take good notes!

Interesting stuff happening in the USA now with a big push going on. A few days ago a Californian distributor was appointed and now we have another new distributor in the North-Eastern states:



"Hydro International announces Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern distribution agreement with Lane Enterprises
05-Feb-2007

Hydro International is pleased to announce the appointment of Lane Enterprises as a regional distributor of its innovative stormwater treatment and stormwater flow control products. Lane Enterprises will be an approved distributor for Hydro International's Downstream Defender®, First Defense®, Up-Flo™ Filter and Reg-U-Flo® Vortex Valve in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states.

Lane Enterprises, Inc., founded in 1934 in Bath, New York, offers a full range of HDPE plastic and metal drainage products as well as steel and aluminum structural plate, gabions and custom powder coating for construction projects.

"This agreement allows Hydro to enlist one of the East's most reputable drainage products providers in our mission to supply superior stormwater equipment to more customers", said Hydro International President Ed Izzo.

"Coupling our high-quality drainage products with Hydro's innovative stormwater treatment technologies is a winning combination for Lane, Hydro, and most importantly the customer", said Lane President Patrick Collings.

For information on Hydro International's stormwater equipment, email [e-mail]. For information from Lane Enterprises, email [e-mail]"

[cambium] 05/2/2007 16:25

Rivaldo, just reading through the thread, well done mate

[eriksay] 05/2/2007 15:09

Rivaldo - Thanks for that. I'm free that week so I've just registered to attend the exhibition.

[rivaldo] 05/2/2007 14:49

Hi Stegrego, ta for that. As long as the share price continues to slowly move northwards I'm perfectly content! There's no way I'd buy property in Aussie, southern Spain, southern France etc - they're all going to be running out of water, and maybe sooner than we think imo.

Some HYD news about its exhibiting at Ecobuild:



"Hydro Saves the Rain and Manages Stormwater at Ecobuild
01-Feb-2007

On Stand E352 at Ecobuild 2007 (27/2 – 1/3), Hydro International will be demonstrating its portfolio of sustainable drainage solutions (SUDS) and stormwater management systems for the built environment. These include Stormcell® storage and attenuation, Stormbloc® infiltration, Hydro-Brake® Flow Control, the latest StormBank™ rainwater harvesting system and their extensive range of stormwater treatment devices.

Hydro's design philosophy of sustainable solutions has been built on vortex technology, with minimal maintenance or power requirements. Its systems have been widely used by builders, developers and engineers in the UK and internationally to meet control, planning and discharge consents, while complying with SUDS requirements.

In addition, Hydro is sponsoring the Save the Rain™ campaign (www.savetherain.info) which aims to lobby the Government about incorporating rainwater harvesting into every new home through a change in the building regulations. The campaign is also seeking incentives – eg. grants or VAT relief – for existing properties.

UK Stormwater Director Alex Stephenson is addressing the Ecobuild conference on Rainwater Harvesting on Thursday 1st March, with an emphasis on how RWH can assist a twin-track approach to water supply and demand, the findings of the Save the Rain™ campaign survey and a RWH case study.

If you would like any further information on any of Hydro International's stormwater, wastewater and sewage treatment systems, please call 0800 269371."

[rivaldo] 29/1/2007 21:38

As well as the USA HYD are pushing forward in Ireland:



"HRD sponsors CIRIA - Dublin SUDS seminar
05-Jan-2007

HRD Technologies are delighted to sponsor the CIRIA "Modular SUDS Training" being held in Dublin in February 2007.

The first module "Introduction to SUDS" is being held on the 6th February 2007, at Enginners Ireland, 22 Clyde Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin.

This module provides information on the concepts, philosophy and the local drivers for sustainable drainage. SUDS will be discussed in relation to drainage and the built environment. Delegates will come from a variety of disciplines and will not require an understanding of SUDS. Technical understanding will range from basic through to competent.

Content will include:
- introduction to SUDS
- the SUDS management train
- discussion of SUDS components
- basic approach to SUDS design
- review of regulatory framework
- worked examples from the UK: Stroud College car park and Hopwood Motorway service area.

Following the training delegates should be able to:
- understand benefits and objectives of SUDS
- appreciate the contribution of SUDS to sustainable development
- understand the SUDS philosophy behind the SUDS management train
- utilise SUDS guidance with confidence and understand the regulatory framework.
- gain broad knowledge.

Design examples include:
- Hopwood Park Motorway service area a "demonstration site" with full management train characteristics and extensive monitoring.
- Stroud College – SUDS used for car parks with costs and comparisons with adjacent conventionally drained car park.

Module sponsors: HRD Technologies LTD & Micro Drainage"

[rivaldo] 28/1/2007 11:33

Excellent news from the USA - a distributor for HYD's products has been appointed for California:



"Hydro International announces California distribution agreement with Kristar Enterprises
26-Jan-2007

Hydro International announces Kristar Enterprises as its stormwater equipment distributor in the State of California. Per the agreement, Kristar Enterprises will be responsible for the marketing and sales of Hydro International's Downstream Defender®, First Defense®, Up-Flo™ Filter and Reg-U-Flo® Vortex Valve in California.

KriStar Enterprises, Inc., a full-service innovative stormwater management equipment manufacturer and distributor, was incorporated in 1993 and is headquartered in Santa Rosa, California. Doug Allard is company CEO and Craig Beatty is company President.

"This partnership offers an enhanced combination of innovative products and service to California customers from two of the industry's leading brands", said Hydro International President Ed Izzo.

"We are very excited to couple Hydro's market leading products and technologies with our outstanding sales, installation and maintenance services in order to provide California with more efficient stormwater management alternatives", said Kristar President Craig Beatty."

[rivaldo] 16/1/2007 11:13

I managed to obtain Peel Hunt's end of year briefing note on HYD issued at the close of 2006. All sounds well, and PH appear happy with their upgraded estimates:

"Resume of H1 results and 2006E position

Hydro is approaching its year end trading in line with expectations. We initiated 2006E numbers at 8.4p EPS, so there has been a modest upgrade (earlier in the year) and the Group we anticipate to remain cash positive.

The 2005 acquisition, Vexamus, has integrated well, having secured several key contracts in the first half of 2006. Hydro's Clevedon (UK) based stormwater business delivered a solid performance for the first six months of 2006 with enquiries, orders and sales continuing at encouraging levels. The US division too had a good start to the year in H1 2006.

Profit growth is above 10% pa in 2006E and 2007E, with the acquisition of 2005 helping enhance 2006E growth. Indeed, at the interim results EPS rose 86% to 3.0p, but allowing for the £0.2m restructuring (acquisition) costs in H1 2005, underlying profits rose 13%. At the interims, the order book rose 34%.

The Hydro International business

Hydro International offers environmentally sustainable solutions for the control and treatment of stormwater and wastewater through vortex technology and (since 2005) filtration technology.

Hydro International: --
§ Develops its own products, through both technical design and innovation.
§ A more recent driver to growth is sourcing in third party IP, customises and sells on through the Hydro International global network.
§ Re-markets and refreshes well established designs, many of which form a solid baseload of product sales.
§ Expands the product range also through acquisition (which was turned from lossmaking to a successful 10% EPS enhancement situation).
§ Develops markets in the appropriate way. This includes licencing in more remote smaller markets, investment in sales force to develop a specific suite of products in a newer but large market.
§ Product is specified by consulting engineering designers, architects, and sold either directly or through licencees and builders' merchants to developers, general contractors and water utilities

§ The drivers are effectively regulators and include among others: --

§ UK regulatory AMP cycles (not a help over the past couple of years but building up into 2007/8)
§ USA State by State NPDES requirements (Municipalities are long term customers)
§ Industry reviewing its waste water outflows
§ Developers need to install stormwater management systems and rain harvesting in new developments.

§ There are also markets emerging for Hydro International in Australasia, the Far East, SE Asia and Continental Europe.

The Group is truly International, but focused. Operations are UK, small in certain parts of Continental Europe and in the past some kit was licenced to the Far East. The USA is a major plank to the Group.

§ USA is in expansion mode. This constitutes 25% of EBITA, but is a fundamentally high margin operation, driven by IP, but held back to date by launch and marketing costs. These should be increasingly better covered going forward.

Strategic considerations

Hydro International is a well established international operation working in markets that are expanding medium term and are very large. Incremental expansion is driven by a number of Regulatory requirements in respective local markets, some of which are cyclical to a degree (a noteworthy example might be the English water distribution companies which had greater requirements for Hydro International kit in the previous AMP cycle).

The business is winning good, growing order flow in the areas of both Hydro International IP and third party IP manufactured and developed by Hydro International."

[rivaldo] 15/1/2007 19:15

Anew £1.7 million DEFRA sponsored project announced today trying to minimise urban flooding, miproving drainage etc. I wonder if HYD are involved?



"Urban flooding - pilot studies aim to reduce impact

Fifteen new projects, including two in London, will consider how to reduce the impacts of urban drainage flooding in towns and cities across England and how best to adapt to the inevitable consequences of climate change.

More intense and frequent rainfall events are expected as a result of climate change.

The studies, announced by Defra today, will pinpoint areas at risk, identify the causes and consider the best ways of managing urban drainage to reduce future flooding.

Flooding from surface water and urban drainage in towns and cities currently costs the national economy £270 million on average each year, according to the Government's own research. But this could increase by up to £15 billion by the 2080s, if action is not taken.

Thames Water will lead a pilot in North Brent, London, where there is a significant history of flooding in the area from sewers and rivers.

The partners in the project will produce a joint drainage strategy to alleviate sewer and river flooding for a wide range of potential rainfall events.

Nick Martin, Wastewater Modelling Consultant at Thames Water, said: "Both changing rainfall patterns and the paving over of gardens are increasing the risk of flooding in North Brent.

"We'll be working with all the parties involved in managing that risk to develop a strategy to tackle all forms of flooding - whether from rivers, sewers or the drainage system."

In addition to the project in North Brent, a separate London based pilot will take place for the Hogsmill River catchment which is a highly urbanised area of South West London.

The river and surface water drainage systems often interact to cause localised flooding.

A joint study will develop a long term approach for the combined management of both systems, which should be applicable to many similar urban situations.

The 15 nationwide projects were announced during a visit by Ian Pearson, Minister for Climate Change and Environment, to Great Yarmouth, where residents have recently suffered from surface water flooding. Welcoming the launch of the £1.7 million pilots, Mr Pearson said: "Adapting to the impacts of climate change is vital if we are to manage the risks of flooding and coastal erosion. We can't ignore the consequences which is why we need to start adapting now.

"The issue of urban drainage flooding is of growing concern to towns and cities across England. Many homes and businesses have already suffered from the devastating impacts. But climate change will make the problem of urban flooding more serious because of the increased likelihood of more intense and frequent rain storms.

"These 15 pilot studies will test new approaches to reduce the future impact of urban drainage flooding on people's lives and their businesses. This will help us understand the problem of surface water flooding better in urban areas and will help us consider how arrangements can be improved in future."

The flooding of homes and businesses in towns and cities is typically due to a range of factors, including high river levels, concentrations of overland flow following heavy rainfall, limited capacity of drainage systems and blockage of waterways and drainage channels.

Some problems can be isolated to a single cause but more often it is a combination of factors which causes the worst flooding.

Urban flooding is particularly challenging to manage - partly because several different organisations are responsible for different aspects of the problem including water companies, the Environment Agency, local authorities and the Highways Agency.

The Integrated Urban Drainage pilot projects will see the various bodies working together to develop solutions and will help Government consider the best arrangements for reducing flood risk in our towns and cities.

The pilots will also provide new tools and techniques for mapping and managing surface water following heavy rainfall events and bring more clarity on responsibilities for those managing urban flood risk."

[rivaldo] 09/1/2007 18:09

From today's Times, an indication of the way things are headed - India are planning to spend $1.5 billion to clean up the River Ganges...

[rivaldo] 06/1/2007 11:20

Good to see current planning enquiries in the USA aware of HYD's Downstream Defender for filtering out pollutants:



"Wetlands, drainage, buffering and traffic issues were the main concerns raised by Planning Board members and residents. Although a truck loop normally encircles a Hannaford supermarket, Roy said, Konover will not pave the west side of the building, which already intrudes into wetlands. The project will need a variance to proceed with building over wetlands.

According to Roy, runoff from the supermarket drains away from Main Street and enters a treatment system called "downstream defender," where pollutants are filtered out before the water is released back into the watershed."

[rivaldo] 03/1/2007 12:55

Ta cheap, interesting. In common with others here I've always considered HYD a takeover target. I'm wondering if it's attractions are becoming too great to ignore.

In the meantime the fundamentals and potential are more than good enough to drive the share price imo.

[cheap] 03/1/2007 11:54

Buying pressure building again?
Bid's just risen to 1.59 but you can actually get 1.5p above that online.

[rivaldo] 31/12/2006 11:14

From the Telegraph, underlining the investment case here:



"Another commodity that is beginning to make waves among fund managers is water. "Water may soon follow in the footsteps of copper and oil and be traded as a commodity," says Gary Dugan, the chief investment officer of Barclays Wealth Management.

Water is never going to be a cyclical commodity. One third of the world's population has inadequate supplies, according to the United Nations, and this proportion is likely to rise to two thirds by 2025. It is also expensive – before tax, a litre of bottled water costs more than two and a half times as much as a litre of petrol.

"Two thirds of the planet is covered with water. However, just 2.5 per cent of this is fresh water," says Dugan. "Of this, most is permanent ice or snow in Antarctica and Greenland. Readily available water – from lakes, rivers and reservoirs – accounts for less than 1 per cent of all freshwater supplies, meaning that the most readily employable source of fresh water is in the shortest supply."

Barclays is not alone. Sam Liddle, manager of MitonOptimal's Global portfolio, sold his exposure to mining funds in the summer and bought the Pictet Water fund instead. This fund hopes to capitalise on investment needs in water infrastructure worldwide and on investments in companies that build, operate and maintain this infrastructure. Its top holdings include Veolia Environnement, Danone, Nestlé, Suez and Severn Trent.

"Our view remains that we will see a global economic slowdown in 2007. So we think we're right to maintain exposure to those sectors that are under-owned, under-valued and less sensitive to economic slowdown and to have moved out of the cyclical sectors, particularly commodity-related sectors that have none of those characteristics," he says. "Water is the least worn-out commodity and has great long-term fundamentals not dependent on emerging markets such as China, unlike many of the base metals.""