By Bao Wanxian (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-02-02 09:39

US water and wastewater equipment manufacturer ITT Corp has merged sales for its three fluid technology businesses in China into one unit, as it tries to cash in on the nation's environment push.

The company has consolidated sales for its water and wastewater treatment, industrial process and residential and commercial water businesses.

"Water treatment will continue to be the most important sector for ITT in China's market," said William E. Taylor, president of ITT China. "Although our revenue figures for 2007 are not available, there's been clear growth in this sector."

"Our new sales team is a strategic decision for ITT to boost further development in China's water treatment market," he added. "From 2008, we will provide integrated services to our customers by connecting the front-end sales with the after-sales services."

Dong Ruiping, director of external affairs at ITT China, said it was a good time for the company to adopt the new sales and service strategy.

"We see huge potential in expanding our investment in China's water treatment market, especially for industrial water treatment," Taylor said.

Last year, ITT was involved in urban water recirculation projects in China's major cities, including the water supply system for the new CCTV headquarters in Beiing and the pump station for the Olympic sunken garden project.

The manufacturer also said it would this year set up its first research and development center in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, and is considering expanding its existing facility in Wuxi because of the fast growth of China's auto industry.

"Furthermore, ITT will launch a rural water research project to improve brackish water desalination technology for people in western China through the two R&D centers," Taylor said.