Hydro Intl Share Discussion Threads

[rivaldo] 03/1/2009 09:58

An article from Waterworld 2009 wtitten by HYD FYI, about removing grit from wastewater:


Extract:
"Conclusion

As membranes have evolved over the past decade, the industry's knowledge of best practices to maximize their lifecycle has expanded rapidly. Although fine screening techniques have been a standard pretreatment technique for membrane plants, today, we beginning to realize that we also need more effective fine grit removal upstream of MBRs. Small grit particles degrade the membrane fibers, causing performance failures and maintenance problems. Optimizing upstream grit removal protects the wastewater treatment facility and helps operators realize the full treatment and economic benefits of their investments in MBRs."

[rivaldo] 28/12/2008 19:32

C'mon Gordon, get your cheque book out...



"Government funding for SUDS may not be enough

Posted: 24/12/2008

New government directives will allow local authorities to assess and manage local flood risk from all sources, including surface water, and champion sustainable drainage schemes. But the measures could be ineffective unless they are also given sufficient funds and knowledge of SUDS principles to implement real change, say surface water drainage experts.

Hydro International, one of the UK's leading suppliers of sustainable drainage systems and a long-time pioneer of SUDS, is warning that local authorities could end up being insufficiently informed and funded. This would prevent correct implementation of the large number of new and redeveloped drainage systems required.

"Our fear is that £15 million announced by Environment Secretary Hillary Benn will just not be enough to allow each local authority to build up the necessary expertise and resources to replace all the knowledge lost over the last 2 or 3 decades," warns Alex Stephenson, director of the Stormwater Division of Hydro International and chair of British Water SUDS group.

The Government's response to Sir Michael Pitt's comprehensive review into 2007's devastating flooding is a precursor to the draft Water and Floods Bill in Spring 2009. "The Government's response concentrates heavily on how to improve the way the UK deals with floods once they have happened. The new bill must have a more practical emphasis on how the UK is realistically going to improve the surface water drainage infrastructure by the implementation of realistic SUDS measures and mitigate flood risk.

"The problem is the depth of mis-understanding of the scope of SUDS techniques which still endures and a tendency to pigeonhole SUDS as 'natural' measures such as swales and ponds, rather than a comprehensive 'toolbox' of both engineered and natural measures. To succeed, local authorities will need to adopt a 'best management' approach based on a proper understanding of the full range of SUDS measures."

"The Government's report this week showcases the Elvetham Heath, Hampshire housing development as a shining SUDS example, with its soakaways, detention basins, ponds and swales. It actually fails to point out that the scheme was only made possible with the engineered technology of 18 attenuation devices; in fact, a mixed engineered and natural approach is an excellent way forward.

"It will be vital for the new local authority drainage boards to recognise that SUDS principles apply to all urban and rural environments and not just on new developments that can accommodate village ponds. Otherwise these natural solutions will impose space and economic restrictions which could curtail the full implementation of SUDS in many locations. The SUDS toolbox should also encompass storage and infiltration tanks, attenuation devices and even rainwater harvesting to combat flood risks.

"It's 15 years since we published 'Urban Drainage - The Natural Way' highlighting the importance of Source Control and Sustainable Drainage (SUDS). Those principles still apply - and we hope that the measures taken to tackle surface water drainage will go back to those first principles.""

[rivaldo] 15/12/2008 12:00

Whonosewhy, if you read back on the thread we discovered that Hazell Carr FURB has a connection to Guy Thomas - who as a well-known and highly successful investor owns separately a big stake in HYD (another &% or so from memory?).

News:



"Hydro International's range of sustainable stormwater drainage and control solutions will be demonstrated at Ecobuild 2009.

Hydro International on Stand 1258 at Ecobuild 2009, 3-5 March, Earls Court.

New Hydro initiatives for 2009 include innovative SUDS surface water control solutions, a range of rainwater harvesting equipment including commercial and industrial, and the unique Up-Flo Filter sustainable stormwater pollution control to help meet Water Framework Directive requirements.

Hydro SUDS solutions include the latest design of the Hydro-Brake Flow Control, the first and only BBA Certified vortex flow control device, and the modular Stormcell and Stormbloc storage and infiltration systems.

These are now being installed in major building and commercial developments across the UK as part of the increased pressure for stormwater control within the framework of the water management cycle as well as at source flood prevention.

Hydro's unique Up-Flo Filter is a proven system providing the most effective and cost efficient stormwater filtration available in the smallest footprint, and is vital in meeting the requirements of the Water Framework Directive implementation and improving the quality of stormwater discharges, offering sediment and specific pollution filtration media in a low maintenance package.

Hydro's StormBank Pro commercial rainwater harvesting system has been exciting much interest from sustainably orientated commercial and institutional specifiers.

Extended from the successful StormBank domestic rainwater harvesting system, StormBank Pro reinforces the message of the Save The Rain campaign, aimed at persuading Government to include rainwater recycling in the Building Regulations for new buildings of any size.

Hydro's integrated approach to dealing with stormwater extends from rainwater harvesting through flow control and SUDS systems to treatment."

[whonosewhy] 11/12/2008 10:06

I guess I should have serached on google - it is the same people - it is obviously the FURB of the three people who founded the Hazell Carr company.

[whonosewhy] 11/12/2008 09:55

well you learn a little everyday !

[lpf] 10/12/2008 13:56

HCE FURB is an investment fund specialising in smallcap UK equities, and a separate business from Hazell Carr.



Edwards, pictured earlier today:

[whonosewhy] 10/12/2008 13:52

I am not sure if you realised or not but Hazell Carr are a Pension Provider - Oddly I have just been dealing with something at work where they are involved.

The actual holder is whoever "Edwards" is - they are holding the shares in their Funded Unapproved Retirement Benefit Scheme (FURB) which would normally be used as a top up to salary package when someone has already funded pensions to the maximum.

I do not know if "Edwards" is a name of a Director or a known name here just thought I would mention it.

Sorry if you already realised this.

[rivaldo] 10/12/2008 12:02

Well, Impax, Guy Thomas and Hazell Carr Edwards are all increasing their stakes. Seems to me that those who know the company and its sector well are taking shares from those who need to sell for one reason or another, be it PI's or institutions.

Today's RNS shows Hazell Carr increasing by 175k shares to 925k in total (6%):

[rivaldo] 09/12/2008 09:32

American news:



"Hydro signs stormwater distribution agreement in Georgia
• Southeast Culvert Inc. will market Hydro's filters, separators and vortex valves for stormwater treatment and flow control

PORTLAND, ME, Dec. 8, 2008 -- Hydro International, a leading provider of environmentally sustainable products and innovative solutions that control and treat stormwater, wastewater and combined sewer overflows, today announced that Southeast Culvert Inc. of Auburn, Ga., will be the exclusive distributor of Hydro's portfolio of industry-leading stormwater products in the state of Georgia.

Southeast Culvert is a manufacturer and distributor of drainage systems throughout the Southeastern United States. The company has significant expertise in the stormwater market and has many years of experience working with engineering firms and private contractors to provide stormwater management equipment to municipal and private developers.

Hydro's US stormwater operation, based in Portland, Maine, provides a full range of solutions to control and treat urban runoff from MS4 communities with separate storm sewer and sanitary sewer systems. Hydro's portfolio of treatment products include filters and vortex separators, which are used to comply with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulations requiring the removal of "nonpoint source" pollutants from stormwater runoff.

"The Georgia market represents a major opportunity for our cost-effective, environmentally sustainable stormwater solutions," said David Mongeau, General Manager of Hydro International's US stormwater business. "Putting our industry-leading product line in the hands of a company with Southeast Culvert's knowledge, regional contacts and proven sales ability creates a winning combination."

"We're looking forward to partnering with Hydro International in Georgia," added Wallace Johnson, Vice President of Operations at Southeast Culvert Inc. "Hydro's filters and vortex technologies that will help our customers obtain their stormwater permits while keeping their costs in line."

Hydro's stormwater operation markets three liquid-solid separation products: the Up-Flo® Filter, a high-capacity filtration system used for the control of sediments, nutrients, metals and hydrocarbons; the Downstream Defender®, an advanced vortex separator with unique internal components that increase removal efficiency and prevent pollutant washout, as well as flow controls, inlet controls and stormwater storage media; and the First Defense®, an enhanced vortex separator that provides stormwater treatment in a surface inlet device. It also markets the Reg-U-Flo® Vortex Valve, a passive vortex flow-control device that reduces the volume of required stormwater storage by up to 50 percent without the need for moving parts or external power requirements.

Hydro International plc is a global supplier of environmentally sustainable products and innovative solutions that control and treat stormwater, wastewater and combined sewer overflows, utilizing award-winning advanced vortex and complementary technologies."

[gac100] 05/12/2008 11:50

Hmm getting to a level where I might think about adding. Results quite a long way off though and historically Dec-Feb has been a quiet time for announcements, so in the current environment a drift still lower doesn't seem out of the question.

[masurenguy] 05/12/2008 11:03

MMs just tinkering with the share price - no share trading reported so far today !

[nhb] 05/12/2008 10:33

Share price getting silly now?

[rivaldo] 02/12/2008 12:58

Impax have increased to 1.512m shares (10.61%) from 1.39m shares (9%):



Nice.

[rivaldo] 26/11/2008 12:18

Good news:



"Up-Flo® Filter Performance Verified by New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology (NJCAT)
25-Nov-2008
Filtration Device Achieves Significant Milestone; Data Shared with Numerous Other Cities and States Influenced by 'TARP' Environmental Regulation Program

The New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology (NJCAT) has verified the stormwater treatment performance capabilities of the Up-Flo® Filter, an up-flow filtration device designed to capture trash and debris and filter fine particulate matter from stormwater runoff. The Up-Flo Filter is designed and supplied by Hydro International, a leading provider of environmentally sustainable products and innovative solutions that control and treat stormwater, wastewater and combined sewer overflows. This milestone extends Hydro International's portfolio of products verified by NJCAT. The company's Downstream Defender® stormwater separator was verified under the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) laboratory testing protocol in 2005.

NJCAT has verified that the Up-Flo Filter removes more than 80 percent Total Suspended Solids (TSS) using Hydro-Filter-Sand™ (HFS™) media. Laboratory test protocols and equipment was designed to mimic real field installations by using the full-scale commercially available Up-Flo Filter having up to six filter modules housed in a 4-ft diameter structure. No other filter device verification has undergone testing that demonstrates filter performance based on multiple filter modules operating at peak filtration flow rates. Requiring only 20-inches of driving head above the filter, the verified loading rate of the Up-Flo Filter was an unprecedented 18.2 gpm/ft2 compared to conventional filters that typically operate around 2 gpm/ ft2. Pursuant to the verification under NJDEP laboratory protocols, the Up-Flo Filter will be undergoing additional performance verification under the TARP Tier II field testing protocol as the required next step in the stormwater technology review process.

NJCAT, a public-private partnership, oversees the lengthy, rigorous verification programs required to provide guidance on the use of newly available stormwater manufactured treatment devices. Government and private groups in the state of New Jersey and in many other states consider NJCAT's stamp of approval a critically important credential when determining which equipment to select for stormwater management projects.

NJCAT works closely with The Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity Partnership (TARP), formed by eight states to evaluate and share scientific data on technology performance of environmental protection solutions. By sharing data and standardizing testing methods, TARP aims to help agencies streamline approval processes and contractors make informed purchasing decisions. TARP member states are California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey. Other regions such as the metropolitan areas of Atlanta and Nashville also look to TARP guidelines for guidance.

"We're thrilled to receive this verification from NJCAT, which is respected for its stringent level of oversight in stormwater management," said David Mongeau, General Manager at Hydro International's U.S. Stormwater business."

The Up-Flo Filter is a high-rate stormwater filtration technology that removes trash, sediments, nutrients, metals and hydrocarbons from stormwater runoff and the industry's only fluidized bed up-flow filtration technology. Hydro International asserts that the Up-Flo Filter provides a higher level of treatment, a higher rate of filtration, longer life of filter media and a longer maintenance cycle than other filter systems.

The NJCAT verification follows the Up-Flo Filter's Pilot Use Level Designation earlier this year by the Washington Department of Ecology, also known for its rigorous performance verification standards."

[masurenguy] 16/11/2008 21:00

ChangeGuru2 spamming many ADVFN threads with the same promotional garbage !

[rivaldo] 16/11/2008 20:52

More USA news:



"Eutek Systems Now Operating as Hydro International
07-Nov-2008

Grit-Removal Leader's Operations Integrated into Hydro's New Wastewater Business Based in Hillsboro, Oregon

Eutek Systems is now officially operating as part of Hydro International's US Wastewater business following Hydro's acquisition of Eutek in May 2008.

Hydro International reorganized its US operations into a market-focused business structure poised to take advantage of increasing opportunities in the municipal wastewater, stormwater and "wet weather" sewer overflow markets.

The company's Wastewater business is headquartered in Eutek's former home base of Hillsboro, Oregon. The Wastewater business now offers the world's most advanced solutions to separate, wash and dewater grit from municipal and industrial wastewater.

The Wastewater Division's portfolio of grit management solutions includes a number of advanced technologies designed to collect and dewater grit from municipal and industrial waste streams. The Eutek TeaCup™, the Eutek HeadCell™, the Eutek SlurryCup™, and the Eutek Grit Snail™ join Hydro's flagship wastewater products, the Grit King® and the Reg-U-Flo® Vortex Valve, to offer customers a full range of grit-removal and flow-control solutions for all types of wastewater treatment needs.

"Bringing Eutek's and Hydro International's market-leading solutions together creates an unbeatable combination that gives municipal wastewater treatment stakeholders a wider range of grit management choices than ever before," said Steve Tansley, Director of Operations at Hydro International's U.S. Wastewater operations. "We're happy to have the respected Eutek name, the top-quality Eutek products and the talented Eutek organization as part of Hydro's Wastewater business. As our new slogan states, we now offer grit removal at its finest..." "

[rivaldo] 13/11/2008 14:58

Excellent news from the USA:



"Up-Flo Filter Performance Verified by NJCAT Under 'TARP' Protocol
13-Nov-2008

Filtration Device Achieves Significant Milestone; NJCAT Data Shared with Numerous Other Cities and States Influenced by 'TARP' Environmental Regulation Program

Hydro International today announced a significant technology validation for the Hydro Up-Flo® Filter, the company`s advanced filtration device for stormwater treatment.

The New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology (NJCAT), a public-private partnership, verified the stormwater treatment performance capabilities of the Up-Flo Filter, which employs upflow technology to capture trash and debris and filter fine particulate matter from stormwater runoff. This milestone extends Hydro International's portfolio of products verified by NJCAT. The company's Downstream Defender® stormwater separator was verified under the NJCAT laboratory testing protocols in 2005.

NJCAT has verified the Up-Flo Filter removes more than 80 percent Total Suspended Solids (TSS) using Hydro-Filter-Sand™ (HFS) media. Laboratory test protocols and equipment were designed to mimic real field installations by using the full-scale commercially available Up-Flo Filter having up to six filter modules housed in a 4-ft diameter structure. No other filter device verification has undergone testing that demonstrates filter performance based on multiple filter modules operating at peak filtration flow rates.

Requiring only 20-inches of driving head, the verified loading rate of the Up-Flo Filter was an unprecedented 18.2 gpm/ft2 compared to conventional filters that typically operate around 2 gpm/ ft2. Pursuant to the verification under TARP's laboratory protocols, the Up-Flo is undergoing additional performance verification under the TARP Tier II testing protocols.

NJCAT, a public-private partnership, oversees the lengthy, rigorous verification programs required to provide guidance on the use of newly available Best Management Practices in the environmental field. Government and private groups in the state of New Jersey and in many other states consider NJCAT's stamp of approval a critically important credential when determining which equipment to use for stormwater management projects.

NJCAT works closely with The Technology Acceptance and Reciprocity Partnership (TARP), formed by eight states to evaluate and share scientific data on technology performance of environmental protection solutions. By sharing data and standardizing testing methods, TARP aims to help agencies streamline approval processes and contractors make informed purchasing decisions. TARP member states are California, Massachusetts, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey. Other regions such as the metropolitan areas of Atlanta and Nashville, also look to TARP guidelines for guidance on new stormwater management technologies.

"We're thrilled to receive this designation from NJCAT, which is respected for its stringent level of oversight in stormwater management," said David Mongeau, General Manager at Hydro International's U.S. Stormwater business. "NJCAT's close connections with TARP will help engineering consultants in New Jersey and in states as far away as California understand the benefits the Up-Flo Filter and how they can be leveraged during the stormwater permitting process required for development and redevelopment construction."

The Up-Flo Filter is a high-rate stormwater filtration technology that removes trash, sediments, nutrients, metals and hydrocarbons from stormwater runoff. As the industry's only fluidized bed upflow filtration technology, the Up-Flo Filter provides a higher level of treatment, a higher rate of filtration, longer life of filter media and a longer maintenance cycle than other filter systems.

The NJCAT designation follows the Up-Flo Filter's Pilot Use Level Designation earlier this year by the Washington Department of Ecology, also known for its rigorous performance verification standards."

[rivaldo] 11/11/2008 15:14

SUDS conference news - c'mon Gordon Brown, forget the credit crunch and get your finger out helping all those unfortunates who are getting flooded year after year now...

The list of attendees for this conference sponsored by HYD is impressive:



"11 November 2008

Government 'should move faster to implement Pitt'
Laura Sharman

The Government is failing to take a lead to ensure the speedy implementation of Sir Michael Pitt's recommendations on flooding following 2007's disastrous floods, industry experts have warned.

In particular it needs to take decisive action to empower local authorities to implement surface water management plans and to resolve once and for all who should be responsible for the control and maintenance of sustainable drainage systems (SUDS).

That was the conclusion of leading industry experts, including CIWEM President Alistair Moseley and Sheffield University Professor Richard Ashley, who joined a panel of experts at Hydro International's second national SUDS 'n' Floods Conference of the year, to urge the Government to take action, rather than engage in further consultation.

Alex Stephenson, director of Stormwater for Hydro International, said; "There is still too much confusion over which organisations are responsible for owning and maintaining SUDS schemes and for developing 'joined-up' surface water management plans.

"There seems to be a vacuum forming in the wake of the Pitt Report and the feeling of frustration amongst conference delegates was palpable.

"Whilst DEFRA aims to consult on a draft Floods and Water Bill in Spring 2009 to introduce necessary legislation there was a strong feeling of the need for greater urgency and clarification on the roles of agencies.

"The necessary expertise and technical know-how already exists, between central and local government agencies and the water companies. It is simply a matter of political will and financial assistance to give local authorities the tools they need to start to implement the changes.

"So much local knowledge and expertise has been lost as bodies such as the drainage boards were dispersed, it will take time to build it up. That's why we need to start now, rather than next year or the year after."

The Summer 2007 floods have been hailed as the biggest civil emergency in British History. Two thirds of the floods were the result of the failure of the surface water infrastructure.

Sir Michael Pitt called for greater use of SUDS techniques, and there have even been industry calls for SUDS to be a standard 'default' planning requirement.

"Resolving the appropriate use of SUDS must be a key outcome of the Pitt Review," adds Alex Stephenson. "Many planners, developers and even some water companies tend to interpret SUDS as 'natural' above-ground solutions such as swales or ponds. But, these natural solutions can have economic limitations for developers in terms of space required, and can often lead to health and safety concerns whether real or perceived.

"For SUDS principles to be truly adopted requires a 'best management' approach using the full SUDS 'toolbox' of techniques selected from both natural methods and proprietary technologies, including underground infiltration, storage and attenuation devices. "

The conference on 9 October was chaired by Alistair Moseley, UK Water Sector Director, WSP Group and President of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management. The keynote speech was given by Professor Richard Ashley, who was a member of the Science and Engineering Panel advising Sir Michael Pitt. Other speakers included Dave Bayliss, Sewerage Manager of Dwr Cymru, Welsh Water, Jonathan Hunt, Policy Advisor of the Environment Agency, Aidan Millerick Managing Director of Micro Drainage and Mark Bottomley of Thames Water."

[rivaldo] 03/11/2008 14:11

The Ottowa anti-flooding contract win has made it onto the USA web site:



And good news in the UK:



"Hydro-Brake® Flow Control granted BBA Certification
29-Oct-2008

Hydro International is pleased to announce that its pioneering `STH` range Hydro-Brake® Flow Control product has been granted BBA (British Board of Agrément) Certification. This is a significant and important achievement, strengthening the company`s status as the leading provider of vortex and complementary technologies to the water sector.

"Obtaining BBA Certification is an exciting milestone for Hydro International, formally confirming the ability of the STH to perform to within plus or minus 5% of specification" said Dr Mike Faram, Hydro International's Group Technical Manager.

"This forms part of a wider initiative to highlight the importance of appropriately defining requirements when specifying vortex flow controls. Historically, design engineers have tended to design on full characteristics, but then provide only single point specifications on technical schedules. This means that when a drainage scheme is implemented, it is possible that a flow control other than that modelled in design may be used. This can lead to adverse effects, including inefficient system operation and increased potential for flooding. The solution to this is very simple; drainage engineers should provide multiple-point criteria in their specifications, information that is supplied as standard with every Hydro-Brake® quotation. They should also specify independently certified products where available."

Hydro-Brake® Flow Controls operate by inducing vortex motion in a drainage system flow, thereby slowing it down and preventing downstream flooding. They offer greater resilience to blockage and opportunities for optimised drainage system design and operation compared to other types of flow control.

The certification, which covers hydraulic performance as well as manufacturing and production standards, is the first of its kind to be granted for a vortex flow control, confirming the superior accuracy and quality of the product."

[nhb] 29/10/2008 14:12

Very unfair really. It gets smacked when the market goes down on tiny sales and then takes ages to recover. Sigh.

[rivaldo] 29/10/2008 13:53

Shame really, HYD was holding up well, but a few small sells in a market with no buyers were enough to spook the MMs.

Nice recent article here:



"October 15, 2008
Water, Water Everywhere... But Not Enough (Clean) Stuff To Drink
By Sally White

Even the official global water stats are terrible – l.1billion lacking safe drinking water, half all hospital beds filled by people suffering from water-related disease. Given the rising incidence of water-created chaos in floods across the UK, Europe and the US due to our increasingly volatile weather, unofficial water pollution and its impact is undoubtedly much higher and more dangerous.

The regulators are on to this. Tough water regulations have been coming into force in the EU and US. All of which is excellent news for a small UK company, Hydro International. The AIM-quoted £20 million cap company has a range of technologies to control water run off, treat storm water, combined sewage overflows and municipal wastewater. Relatively tiny though it is, Hydro is a world-leader in designs to bring cost-effective solutions for controlling quantity and improving quality of water.

Too small to attract much attention, it has nonetheless been growing steadily. Interim figures to end-June show sales up 35 per cent from £11million to £14.9 million, bringing pre-tax profits up 27 percent from £0.8 million to £1 million and giving earnings per share of 4.93p. This has come from both organic growth and acquisition, and there will be more of the latter given Hydro's prudent nurturing of its cash flow – outsourcing manufacturing. It closed the period with £3.7 million cash and equivalents. Forecasts are to sales this year to reach £32.2 million, giving earnings per share of 13.6p, up from 11.9p, and a dividend of 2.1p. For 2009 the forecast is for earnings of 16.3p and a 3.4p dividend, and these numbers for 2010 are 18p and a dividend of 3.7p.

Given that UK house builders had been the biggest single source of Hydro's business (15 per cent of sales) and the US economy was slowing rapidly, past progress and future expectations show the widening interest in its products. Sales are now also being made into Asia, with a new distribution agreement signed in Malaysia as well as another EU one in Belgium.

While chief executive Stephen Hides calls the current business environment (with some understatement) "challenging", he expects further progress to be made on growing Hydro. The marketing effort and acquisition targeting are designed to spread the net wider yet. Hydro is in the market for complementary technology to add to its circa 20 products, as well as for good customer lists.

A few months ago Hydro bought major US competitor, Oregon-based Eutek, in a £7 million deal. On the same day it was able to announce a £1.6 million contract for its Hydro-Brake flow control devices as part of a flood-prevention scheme in Glasgow. Eutek is important as it has patented equipment to remove fine grit, sugar sands, abrasives and solids from wastewater. Since this is the stuff that clogs up membrane filters, pumps and pipes, Eutek technology is invaluable. This adds a new dimension to the Hydro product list, built up since it was founded in 1980. Originally this was based around vortex technology, although in recent years it has added water storage, filtration and drainage devises.

Manufacturing is done by third-party engineering and fabrication companies based in Europe and North America, and sold through a wide network of independent distributors.

On its side is the urgent need of both UK and US governments to alleviate flood damage. The EU has its Water Framework Directive, with strict targets to be met by 2015. House broker KBC Peel Hunt anticipates that "this should boost Hydro's sales of storm water treatment products from 2009". Added impetus will be coming from the US Clean Water Act and other directives which force companies there to remove contaminants from storm water, and take steps to prevent sewers overflowing in storms. The US target dates are 2011 and 2012 and it is only just beginning to insist on measures that are standard in Europe, such as separation of sewage from storm water systems. As a result the aftermath of US flooding is particularly unpleasant, and positively dangerous. Hydro has products that tackle all of these issues, plus products for use in flood prevention programmes.

KBC Peel Hunt says "...these drivers should continue to benefit Hydro for many years to come." Thus, while the state of the UK and US housing markets, and a lag between the current and next EU directive, are likely to hold back Hydro's growth in the coming year, the medium term prospect looks very attractive. Profit breakdown is currently 61/39 per cent storm water/waste water management. Big buyers of the products are infrastructure builders, so Hydro will be gaining from the construction of new roads, rail and hospitals. For the UK, says KBC Peel Hunt, the likely drop in housing-related orders should be more than offset by work by water companies, on infrastructure and on "accelerated investment in flood control in the wake of 2007's disastrous floods." Much of the UK's water system dates back into Victorian times, and would need upgrading even without the escalating demands of weather and regulation!

US sales growth will be driven by tighter pollution control and the 10 per cent per annum rise in the grit removal market. Hydro is also encouraging US pipe and pre-cast concrete manufacturers to incorporate Hydro's devices within their products. The US is spending US$5 billion a year on improving its antique water systems. Outside these core markets Hydro is licensing products to companies in Australia, South Korea and New Zealand. And to help it in the more distant Asia-Pacific markets it is seeking local manufacturers.

The shares are quite a long way down from their peak – hardly surprising given its size and the state of the market. Even in the last year it has been up to 180p and the peak was around 240p, while it currently trades at around 130p. Since it has few competitors the chances of profile-raising orders to help both sales and shares look good."

[woodsman2004] 13/10/2008 10:37

I cant beleive this stock is a candidate for short term trading - buying or selling short. Just not enough liquidity.

Basically this is a long term investment in a potentially growing market (short term builders problems aside). If HYD is still around in 3/4 years time, holders should make decent if not necessarily spectacular returns.

No one has any spare cash at the moment so it not surprising that there is not much support to the share price Unless you have the dosh to top up, you might as well go away and come back in 6 months - nothing to see here!

[matt123d] 10/10/2008 19:09

Rivaldo,

Apologies, posted on the thread a couple of times but didn't post my entry. Unfortunately I made a loss here!

It was looking interesting for a short while when price action broke above the down channel but it has been dragged back down by the awful general market conditions.

Like the company but performance over the past year hasn't been good, will stay on my radar but I will be looking for a move above 150p and a break of the down channel again before entering.