New Smart Water Technology

Published on by in Technology

New Smart Water Technology

With new smart water technology, Uponor looks to tap into the internet of things market.

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Uponor, a global manufacturer of plumbing pipes and hoses, is preparing to launch its new intelligent water system technology that will bring the Apple Valley manufacturer deeper into the internet of things market.

Phyn, a joint venture between Uponor and Belkin International, a maker of connectivity devices, will manufacture water sensing devices that will be attached to main water lines. Once attached, the devices, equipped with technology provided by Belkin, will monitor water flow and usage, allowing home and business owners to conserve water and save money while protecting properties from leaks. Phyn's technology also will be marketed to utility companies.

Uponor CEO Bill Gray said the product is now undergoing beta testing. It is scheduled to launch sometime between the third and fourth quarter of 2017.

"It goes back to the whole original idea of innovation and what's next for Uponor," Gray said. "We've been a residential company and we're focusing on commercial, but the next curve is really new growth opportunities. There is no, what we would call, digitalization in water, or very little. There's a little bit of pressure-sensing technology and leak detection, but state-of-the-art is kind of clumsy right now, so there's a huge opportunity."

KeODi3l.pngGray said growing in the IOT market could become a large part of Uponor's growth. Phyn was one of the first successful projects brought through Uponor Innovations, a limited liability company owned by Uponor.

"If you look at Uponor in 10, 15 or 20 years in the future, are we still even making pipe or are we a different kind of company?" he said. "I don't know, but I suspect like a lot of companies, digital is the way they transform."

Phyn's U.S. operations will be headquartered in Los Angeles with a research and development lab in Seattle. A second operation in Europe has yet to be created. Uponor will invest $15 million in exchange for a 37.5 percent share in the company while Belkin will initially own 62.5 percent of the partnership.

As the importance of water consumption across the globe grows, Gray said it was key for Uponor to be first to market with an intelligent water sensing product.

"Water will be an issue, even in Minnesota, with as much rain and snow as we get," Gray said. "I believe it is the next oil in the sense of where humans are going to have conflict. In parts of the world, that already is the case."

Source: Business Journal

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