RESEARCH SOLVES WATER PROBLEMS

WATER AND ENVIRONMENT: Watertech’s core competences comprise mapping and limiting water and soil pollution, especially using IT tools.

Watertech is one of Denmark’s many consulting engineering companies which has specialized in the environment. The company has so far focused its expertise on south east Asia, where both water and environmental problems are major issues.

“We identify water resources, and how to control and exploit water from the Mekong River,” says Jens Baadsgaard Pedersen. “It can also be water supply and distribution. In many places in the world, half of the water is lost before it reaches the customer. In Denmark it’s less than 7%,” he says. Watertech is currently conducting a project for Bangkok municipality, which has the world’s largest water supply unit. Watertech has a similar project in Kuala Lumpur.

 
Managing director Jens Baadsgaard Pedersen

Partnership
“Watertech has no externally supported tasks and all our projects are fully paid by the customer,” says Jens Baadsgaard Pedersen. “We can do that because our concept gives the customer added value which can pay for our work when we collaborate with local companies. We start by forming an overview of a given country. Then we choose the partner, and establish a 50/50 company. From Denmark we supply training, technology transfer and interim management. The partner supplies local knowledge and networks. The company typically passes break-even point in 1–2 years, after which the division of input is usually 20% from Denmark and 80% from the local company. Our first company in Vietnam, which now employs 35 people, has reached a position where it is exporting knowledge and know-how to the entire region.

Sustainable concept
“We are currently focusing on China and specifically on the area around Hong Kong, where we soon hope to find a suitable partner. We also have great expectations of the Chinese market because we have a very sustainable concept: to start foreign companies and export our knowledge. The need for solutions is global, and our strength is a combination of the best possible technology from Denmark and local people,” concludes Jens Baadsgaard Pedersen.

Watertech develops its knowledge through research and development projects. In collaboration with major Danish players such as the Technical University of Denmark and the Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, the company conducts research in its specific competence areas to maintain its position at the cutting edge.

http://www.watertech.dk