experts in water

EXPERTS IN WATER

Built on Innovation and Industry Firsts

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 Wavin: Built on
Innovation and
Industry Firsts
Wavin is a global leader in the supply of plastic pipe systems and
solutions. Since the 1950s, we have built an unrivalled reputation
for continuous innovation, intelligent problem-solving, dedicated
technical support and the highest standards.

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Our story began in Zwolle in the Netherlands, with company
founder Johan Keller working at WMO, the regional
Water Supply Company, where he was faced with serious
pipe corrosion and significant losses of water during
transportation. With an urgent solution required, Keller
succeeded in producing the world’s first large diameter
plastic pressure pipes for potable water.
Wavin was then founded to focus solely on plastic pipe
production.
We know that the world does not stand still. Since our
formation in 1955, we have developed a number of first-in-
the-world breakthrough innovations that have changed
the way specifiers, engineers, installers and contractors
work – and we will continue to innovate and evolve
wherever we can.
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 A Global Presence

From our headquarters in the

Netherlands, we now operate in over
25 countries and also have a network
of agents and licensed partners in
Asia, Australia, Africa, Latin America,
the Middle East and North America.

Wavin employs some 5,500 people and has annual
revenues of around €1.2 billion. Our market leadership,
local presence, commitment to innovation and technical
support will ensure we deliver the highest standards to all
our customers worldwide. Since 2012, Wavin is part of the
Mexichem Group, leader in plastic pipe systems and in the
chemical and petrochemical industry in Latin America.
Wavin has been operating in the UK since 1962 and is the
leading supplier of water management, plumbing, heating
and drainage systems for the building, construction and
utilities markets, providing an extensive product portfolio
under the OSMA, Hep2O and Hepworth brands.
Our Technology and Innovation Centre (Wavin T&I) employs
more than 50 people to develop new products and systems
with local Wavin companies. Innovation is a core principle
across the global brand and our Group goal is to generate
20% of revenues from products that have been on the
market for less than five years.

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5
 A brief timeline
More emphasis on
Wavin opens
Royal Dutch systems and above
production facilities
Shell takes 50% ground applications.
in the Netherlands,
participation in 25% of sales come
Germany, Denmark
Wavin. from products other
and Ireland.
than pipe systems.

1955 1960s 1970s

Late 1962 1980s
1950’s
Wavin (a Group R&D
combination of Further geographic
organisation Wavin
the words water expansion in Western
Technology &
and vinyl chloride) Europe. Period of
Innovation founded.
founded by Dutch diversification
Wavin Overseas
water authority (packaging, films,
established for central
WMO. bags, crates and
export activities.
profiles).

J.C. Keller
Wavin CEO 1955-1969

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 Implementation of the
‘Wavin 2015’ strategy
Shell sells stake WMO sells stake
that focusses on a
in Wavin to CVC in Wavin to CVC
long term strategy of
Capital Partners. Capital Partners. finacial stability and
structured growth.

2000 –
1990s now 2006 2012
1999 2005 2011

Number of successful Wavin becomes part

Re-alignment of acquisitions, most of the Mexichem
activities, focus on core notably in the UK Group, leader in
competence: plastic Stocklisting on
(2005) and Turkey plastic pipe systems
pipe systems. NYSE Euronext
(2008). Expansion in and in the chemical
Operations in Eastern Amsterdam.
Water Management and petrochemical
Europe established. and Surface Heating industry in Latin
& Cooling. America.

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 Innovation #1 -
PVC Pressure Pipe

In the
beginning
there was
PVC pipe

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Wavin Founder J.C. Keller pioneered the use of corrosion-resistant
plastic PVC water pipes in the late 1950s – leading to the worldwide
acceptance of plastic as a viable product in its own right and not just
a substitute for copper and lead.

To overcome serious pipe corrosion and a significant
loss of water caused by aggressive soil conditions in his
home country of the Netherlands, Keller experimented
with plastics. This decision would prove crucial not only
to Wavin, but to the development of plastics and pipe
technology in general.
Wavin developed and evolved Keller’s innovation using
plastics in the manufacture of PVC pipes for potable water
with diameters of 100mm and higher. By taking this process
to the next level, Keller laid the foundations for Wavin.

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 experts in water EXPERTS IN WATER

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To find out more about our industry leading innovations, visit

www.expertswithwater.com
Tel: 0844 856 5152 | Email: info@wavin.co.uk | @wavinuk
28 E X P E R T S I N W AT E R experts in water