Save water, boost profits
February 1st 2008 Ecosave designs and manufactures water saving products,developing new
technology along the way.What's more, it can help other companies bring products to
market through its design and manufacturing department. Brendan Coyne reports
Formed by ex-water company professionals, Ecosave focuses on
designing, developing and manufacturing water conservation
and water control products. Based in Paignton,Devon, the
company works with several UK water companies, of which South
West Water is currently its strongest affiliate.
Although a young company, managing director, John Ellacott says
its directors have been involved in water projects as individuals for
around 25 years, with 45 years combined experience at director level.
"Our aim is to use innovation to develop new ways of saving
energy and water in domestic and commercial properties,"says
Ellacott."From a washroom perspective,we have solutions for each of
the water-using devices that you find in a washroom – automatic
taps,WC flushing devices, urinal flushing devices,water leak alarms
and controls and systems that turn water on and off automatically
when people enter or leave the washroom."
But aren't there other established companies doing very well in
that area? "There are established water control device companies that
are very competent at what they do, but they use traditional
technology.We create new technology to outperform those products,
taking the design and the development one step further."
He says the Ureco, a new patented form of urinal sleeve which fits
all types of urinals globally, is one such example:After spending the
best part of a year in development, the company devised a solution
where the enzyme that breaks down uric salts is now positioned
above the water line rather than below.The result is that it fits all
urinal types by negating the need for a stem.This means it can be
sold globally, rather than limited to countries that use similar types of
urinal to the UK.
"Our strength is our R&D capability.We're one of the only
companies in this sector with our own in-house facility where we can
design, rapid prototype and manufacture:we even make our own
electronics and develop our own systems;most companies outsource
those facilities. So we have a very intimate knowledge of our
components and control of our products that other firms just don't
have.
"But we are not averse to helping other companies coming to us
for help with product design, or assistance in bringing the product to
market – it's one of the services we offer in the design side of our
business."By way of example, Ellacott says Ecosave helped develop
and manufacture the Sani-Sleeve for Enviro-Fresh, which was
subsequently bought by Rentokil for £9m.
Richard Lees, a specialist in computer aided design (CAD) for
engineering, heads up the firm's design department
(ecosavedesign.co.uk).With the Ureco newly launched via
distributor Hygienex, he says the focus is to build Ecosave's product
portfolio and develop more products for other companies.
"The software and equipment we have at our disposal means we
can go into immense detail in terms of testing and flow analysis – we
can tell exactly how a product will react and solve any problems that
would otherwise arise before going to market.
"There are many companies within the washroom sector and we
can help them differentiate their products by making them
functional, aesthetically pleasing and user friendly.Whether they want
a complete in-house design and manufacturing service for every
single component, or just the design and source their own
components and manufacturing,we can deliver it."
A few of the company's products are outlined below. Distribution
opportunities are available. Find out more at: ecosave-ltd.comor see
the company's products at
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