The WRc (Water Research Centre) Open Innovation Day 2012 brought together representatives of water and wastewater companies with experts, technologists and innovators to provide solutions to the industry’s problems. It showcased new technologies, provided focused workshop sessions, presented the views and experiences of the industry’s regulators and leaders in research and demonstrated WRc’s research facilities at its base in Swindon. The event was free to attend and aimed to demonstrate how an open approach to innovation can benefit all stakeholders.
The event provided an opportunity to:
- Discuss with water and wastewater utilities and their regulators how they were driving innovation and their current problems.
- Talk to companies providing and developing a range of innovative solutions and services into the sector.
- Attend workshops to address specific topical issues and listen to presentations by exemplars of innovation.
- Visit WRc and see the facilities available for research and development activities.
The Delegates
The event was attended by approximately 145 delegates including, innovation/R&D leaders from Utility companies, innovation/R&D leaders from supplier companies to the water industry, technology experts working in the water industry from universities and other non-commercial organisations. Government representatives setting policy on innovation within the water industry were also in attendance.
Burdens Business Development Director Graham John lead the Burdens innovation presentations with assistance from Katie Henshall and Richard Hennessy, who displayed and demonstrated the range of SAER pumps, the Pumpac Domopac booster set, the River range of packaged pump stations and Smart Sponge. Graham John commented, “Burdens received many compliments at the event regarding our innovations and forthcoming product offering, most observing they did not realise Burdens were so active in this sector”.
