In an Expert Focus interview for Waterbriefing, Steve Morris, Managing Director of Huber Technology, waste water treatment solutions specialists who work with all the main UK water companies and their contractors and delivery partners, talks to Elaine Coles, Managing Editor at Waterbriefing about how continuous innovation in an established product sets it apart from the competition.

Elaine Coles: We’ve spoken before about the unique advantages the combination of continuous innovation with a well-established, tried and tested product can deliver – can you give us an example?

Steve Morris: It’s an issue of particular importance to the water companies – their need to deliver safe water but try to stay abreast of state-of-the-art technology to deliver the best possible result.

It’s even more important given the TOTEX demands of AMP6, where there’s an increasing focus on asset renewal and maintenance of existing equipment.

Just to take one example, we’ve got a product which has been in continuous operation since the mid-1980s, providing reliable, cost effective screening for small inlet works across the world. In the UK alone over 1200 units have been installed and 5000 worldwide.

We introduced the ROTAMAT® Ro9 Microstrainer into the UK market 30 years ago – during which time we’ve continually been making innovative design changes and modifications to ensure our customers always get state-of-the-art technology which delivers real benefits.

However, it’s been quite a journey from those early designs - with slotted baskets and submerged bottom bearings, to the present day product.

When the Ro9 was first launched 30 years ago there really was nothing else like it on the market, and the ability to screen, wash, compact and convey in a single unit was truly innovative.   

Elaine Coles: Selecting the right inlet screens has long been recognised as a key issue for any waste water treatment works – but how do they begin to identify the solution? And what happens when a new supplier says their product is the all-singing, all dancing answer? Isn’t it a confusing choice?

Steve Morris: You’re absolutely right – it’s a highly competitive and crowded marketplace out there where it’s often difficult for end users to identify what is really new and innovative, rather than just a ‘me-too’ product.

We’ve watched with interest as some newer entrants to the market are making claims of innovation and even patents on technologies and product features we’ve had in place for decades!

I think there are a number of key issues the water companies need to take into consideration whenever they’re considering the available options which determine their investment decisions. In our experience versatility and flexibility are frequently high up the agenda. Customers want solutions that can deliver under a range of conditions and be easily adapted to meet changing requirements.

For example, variants such as the Ro9 XL allows installation of the screen in deeper channels with widely varying and /or higher flows.  Features such as an auger coupling to allow easy removal and maintenance have been standard on the Ro9 XL for over 20 years.

However, while having the right product is undoubtedly key, the application knowledge that supports it is equally important. Over the years we’ve continually refined and developed the technology – and our decades of experience and expertise in maintenance requirements on waste water treatment works have been key to delivering the technological innovations in place today.

Elaine Coles: So how does today’s technology differ from the Ro9 of thirty years ago? And how does a product with a long track record still deliver innovation to the end user?

Steve Morris: Despite some of the early limitations with the Ro9, the product was hugely successful and the market grew rapidly. And we learnt – and continue to learn – valuable lessons which enabled us to expand our knowledge and build on our experience to see where we can introduce genuine innovations which really make a difference to customers.

For example, an ever increasing need from the water companies to reduce maintenance requirements focused Huber’s designers on addressing the issues found in the early Ro9 units – so modifications were quickly made even in the first few years of the Microstrainer’s launch.

But companies and products can’t afford to stand still and rest on their laurels - the water industry has continued to demand more and the emphasis on maintenance and flexibility has continued to grow- an issue that’s particularly pertinent in AMP6. Since the mid-1990s we’ve continued to make further changes and improvements to the units to make them more flexible, adaptable, reduce wear and tear and ease of maintenance. Making improvements which recognise the changes in the way sites are operated and manned, have always been uppermost in our minds.  Without going into too much detail- an example is the introduction of an intermediate bearing and wear sensor which provides an early warning to change brushes and avoids costly damage to the screen. This, along with features which have significantly reduced wash water consumption reflects our customers’ changing requirements. Increased efficiency also allowed us to reduce the size of the motor and gearbox assembly.

Elaine Coles: So how do you continue with the innovation process – don’t you ever get to the point where you say we can’t make it any better?

Steve Morris: Absolutely not! Continuing to innovate is the life-blood of any successful company that wants to be around for the long-term – I think the Ro9’s 30 year track record speaks for Huber’s whole philosophy on this.

For us staying abreast of what’s going on in the marketplace and how the water companies address their business challenges - operational and strategic – is a central plank in how we work to deliver the best solution.

Even though it’s still early days, we know AMP6 is undoubtedly bringing about significant change.  In recent years the increased focus on TOTEX has already led to further improvements to meet the need for lower project delivery costs, optimised footprint and reduced operating costs.

We’ve taken this on board and the more recent developments of the Ro9 have addressed the most significant operational aspects. For example, the addition of a prefabricated stainless steel tank incorporating duty/standby channels, hand stops, hand raked bypass screen and level controls which is all pre-assembled off site. This packaged solution significantly reduces civil work costs and installation during on site. 

Elaine Coles: So is an innovative product enough on its own to justify customer buy-in or are there any other USPs which give successful companies an edge?

Steve Morris: That’s an interesting question – and in my opinion it isn’t enough just to be able to offer the latest blue sky technology. There are other requirements our customers have separately flagged up – not least of which are availability and product support.

While engineering improvements are at the heart of the development of any product, the importance of product availability and support simply cannot be overstated. Again, this is where we have scored with the Ro9.  With such a large installed base Huber has been able to standardise on holding stock of units which can cover 90% of possible installations – a pretty impressive figure by any measure.

We now hold all these units in stock – and we know that reducing lead times, design costs and capital costs and providing overall cost savings, whilst standardising on equipment supplied, matter massively to our customers.

Elaine Coles: So looking down the line, will the Ro9 be around in another 30 years’ time?

Steve Morris: An even more interesting question! What can I say – inevitably I’m somewhat biased!

I can only say the ROTAMAT® Ro9 has come a long way from its original design back in the 1980s. With over 1200 units now sold in the UK since its introduction, and over 330 installed over the past 5 years alone, it’s still regarded as the market leader within the small inlet combined screens field. Of course, Huber is also well known for its extensive range of screens and screenings handling products for larger capacity treatment works- but perhaps that’s a topic for another day.

The industry has seen may different spiral screen designs come and go over the years. So while other manufacturers may adopt certain features of the Ro9 and in some cases even try to register design patents, 30 years of experience with the Ro9, and all the lessons learned along the way, is hard to beat.

 Looking into my Huber Technology crystal ball, I’m confident that as AMP6 gets underway with the growing requirement for asset upgrades and renewals, the ROTAMAT® Ro9 looks set to go from strength to strength. I’m sure if you come back in AMP7, 8 or even 9 – if AMP is still around then – the Ro9 will still be alive and well on hundreds of the UK’s wastewater treatment works.

About Huber Technology: Huber Technology is a leading waste water treatment solution specialist that works with all the main UK water companies and their contractors and delivery partners.