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Company: ZENON Environmental Inc., Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Company Description: ZENON leads in manufacturing and marketing membrane based technologies to purify drinking water, treat wastewater and recycle/reuse water. With 400+ installations in 40+ countries we develop products for variety of municipal, industrial, commercial, residential applications. Established in 1980 ZENON has over 1200 employees in 15 countries. Headquarters: Canada. Manufacturing: Canada-Hungary.
Nomination Category: Company, Office & Product Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Overall Company
Nomination Title: ZENON Environmental Inc.
1. Tell the story about what this nominated company achieved in the past year (up to 500 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:
The water treatment industry is in the midst of its largest technological transition
of the last hundred years centered on a paradigm shift in filtration, driven by the
emergence of membrane technology. Membranes are a revolutionary new
technology used to purify water to a much higher degree than conventional
equipment.
Over the last 24 years, ZENON has become a technology and a market leader
globally. Our disruptive technology is proven, accepted and is replacing
conventional water treatment methods.
ZENON did not invent membranes. We worked against the tide to create
ZeeWeed, an immersed hollow fiber membrane that’s a physical barrier to
contaminants. ZeeWeed fibers are spaghetti-like strands of porous plastic, hollow
in the centre. The surface is covered with billions of microscopic pores that filter
out all known bacteria and almost every known virus, with minimal or no chemical
use.
To successfully commercialize this product, we had to overcome the conservative
attitude of the industry along with technical challenges. We needed to design a
membrane element that could be mass produced at minimal cost and design a full
membrane based water treatment system producing water at minimal cost.
Through our ongoing commitment to innovation, we brought down the cost per
gallon of water treated so it’s comparable to or cheaper than conventional
systems. We also automated our manufacturing process with state-of-the-art
membrane manufacturing plants in Canada and Hungary.
In 2004, we introduced our latest innovation, the ZeeWeed 1000 Version 3, 25%
lower in cost to own and operate than our previous versions. It also represents the
largest technological advance in our history. A number of municipalities are
considering it for their next drinking water plant.
ZENON’s market share has grown significantly over the last decade. We have
over 400 ZeeWeed installations in over 40 countries and employ over 1,200 people in 15 countries, providing solutions for municipalities, industries and consumers.
1993 Sales CDN$40 million/Profit CDN$114,000
2003 Sales CDN$184 million/Profit CDN$12.5 million
Our approach to employees and customers sets us apart in the industry. ZENON
has a Value Committee (ZENON’s ‘parliament’) comprised of representatives from all divisions who focus on issues important to ZENON employees. Since its
creation, there have not been any major decisions related to employees that were
not fully supported by the committee.
We also have a “Users Committee” to foster open dialogue between ZENON and
our municipal customers. Under the chairmanship of one of our users
(customers), ZENON’s customers are invited to exchange ideas on further
improving service and efficiency. Since its inception, we have more than doubled
participation in this program from attracting 15 users in 1999 to 34 in 2004.
We practice what we preach! Our corporate headquarters in Canada is located on
150 acres of farmland. The custom built facility is not connected to a municipal
sewer grid, allowing the building to serve as a showcase for our technology.
ZeeWeed membranes treat the drinking water and recycle the building’s
wastewater for reuse as flush water.
2. List hyperlinks to any online news stories, press releases, or other documents that support the claims made in the section above. IMPORTANT: Begin each link with http://, and enclose each link in square brackets; for example, [http://www.youraddress.com]:
ZENON Markets - http://www.zenon.com/markets/markets.shtml
ZENON Membrane Products - http://www.zenon.com/products/products.shtml
ZENON Headquarters Treats Water and Recycles Wastewater On Site -
http://www.zenon.com/projects/project_zenonhq.shtml
Popular Science Best of What's New 2004 -
http://www.zenon.com/investor/news/nov102004.shtml
ZENON Maytag Finalise US Distribution Agreement -
http://www.zenon.com/investor/news/June2404.shtml
Municipalities Step Up Water Treatment to Improve Public Health -
http://www.zenon.com/investor/news/July262004.shtml
Walkerton Interim Water Treatment Facility -
http://www.zenon.com/projects/project_walkerton.shtml
Largest Operating UF Water Treatment Plant in North America -
http://www.zenon.com/projects/project_olivenhain.shtml
ZENON Tops List of Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada -
http://www.zenon.com/investor/news/June0804-02.shtml
ZENON Company Awards - http://www.zenon.com/investor/awards.shtml
ZENON 2003 Annual Report -
http://www.zenon.com/investor/PDF/Annual_Report_2003-2.pdf
3. Provide a brief (up to 100 words) biography about the leader of this nominated company:
ZENON Environmental was formed on Dr. Andrew Benedek’s vision of a world
where cost effective membrane technology could ensure humanity’s survival, with
safe, superior quality water. He was among the first to believe membrane
technology could be practical to treat water.
During a brief period in the petrochemical industry, he saw effects of pollution and
decided to specialize in environmental engineering. He obtained Ph.D. in
chemical engineering, focusing on wastewater treatment. Under his leadership,
ZENON has grown steadily and become a global leader in membrane technology
for water, wastewater treatment. In 2003, he received Honorary Doctor of Science, McMaster University.
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