Valve Could Mix It On World Markets
From the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology For immediate release
VALVE COULD MIX IT ON WORLD MARKETS
Auckland company Technology Development Group is looking to crack a US$850 million world market with its new,
computerised industrial water-mixing valve. "Our research shows that US$850 million is the value of the potential
industrial valve market," says general manager Harold Forrest. Mr Forrest says the control system is self-contained in
the valve, rather than being elsewhere in the system. This provides a more precise temperature mix that cuts costs and
allows better industrial network management. "If you want a temperature of 46 degrees, it gives you 46 degrees exactly,
and for as long as you want it. This is the future for industrial uses of water-mixing valves," Mr Forrest says. The new
valve - which combines a computer, electronics, sensors and small motors - is a spinoff from an electronic domestic
shower valve that the company had designed and made, and for which it has sold the rights to a United States public
company. Technology New Zealand - part of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology - supported the research
to develop the valve. Mr Forrest says Technology Development has already sold one of the new valves, which is being put
into a new dairy plant. As well as industrial uses, it can be employed in such places as hospitals and apartment blocks.
"These are high-value items, worth thousands of dollars each and we see huge opportunities in the world market," he
says. Technology Development Group is a small development company - "average age of staff 32" - that employs electronics
and mechanical engineers, and a fitter and turner. The project has enabled the company to increase its technological
capability. "We can now do advanced design and development work using the Internet to get casts made overseas, which we
couldn't do before," Mr Forrest says. -ends-
Contact: * Harold Forrest, Technology Development Group, 30-34 Swanson St, Auckland. Ph: (09) 307-0700. Fax: (09)
307-0800. Email: hforrest@t-dg.com. Website: www.t-dg.com * Ian Gray Technology New Zealand at the Foundation for
Research, Science and Technology (Auckland Office), (09) 912-6730, or 021 660-409. Website: www.technz.co.nz
Prepared for the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology by ID Communications. Contact Ian Carson, (04)
477-2525, ian@idcomm.co.nz