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Global strength, local presence

In many countries there is one Weld that has been protected from the market economy: the water sector. But this is changing. Now private interests are beginning to take over traditionally federal and municipal functions - including water supply and water sanitation.
     In this issue of Impeller we take a close look at the privatisation of the water industry. This new development has far-reaching consequences for the industry, whether the privatisation is taking place to provide funds for investments in infrastructure or because politicians strive for more market-
oriented operations. One of the most obvious consequences is globalisation.
     A handful of large international operators are now responsible for water supply and water sanitation worldwide. These operators are corporations and syndicates that have the resources to efficiently and rapidly develop infrastructure and bring in the required technologies. The entry of these giants into water supply and water sanitation has meant running water at home for the first time for millions of residents in many cities in developing countries.
     Globalisation puts high demands on these corporations from suppliers. Not many of them can match technological management and superior service with a strong and solid presence at the local-market level. Operating in 130 countries, ITT Flygt is well prepared to be a player in this new development. Bob Anderson, regional director for ITT Flygt Europe, expresses this very well in our interview with him on page 19: "Our aim is to have a combination of wholly owned sales companies and distributors across the world. The reason behind this strategy is to provide high-quality service and representation to all our clients."
     And that is true no matter whether the client is a large international corporation, a local entrepreneur or a traditional municipal water company.

Anders Hallberg,
President, ITT Flygt Group