i20 installs production line to manufacture APVs in Southampton, UK

Water network solutions company i2O has installed a production line to manufacture Advanced Pilot Valves (APVs) at its production facility in Woolston, Southampton, UK.

The patent-protected APVs were earlier manufactured by a sub-contractor.

i20 took the decision to manufacture APV in-house to have greater control over quality, improve product development,  refurbish existing units, cut costs to pass the savings to clients.

APVs form an important element of smart water networks.

i2O claims to be the only company using a dedicated pilot valve to adjust pressure constantly instead of a pilot valve for occasional manual adjustment. This process enables water utilities to control pressure more accurately. Further, it can be remotely controlled or have it fully automatic or a mix of both that can be programmed in advance.

i2O CEO Joel Hagan said: “Our Advanced Pilot Valves provide incredibly precise control for changing PRV pressure regularly, improving the ability for water utilities to deliver non-revenue water and drought mitigation initiatives.

“Bringing the assembly in-house will help us improve quality and reduce production costs. We will pass these cost improvements onto clients to accelerate the deployment of our smart water network solutions around the world.”

Last December, i2O opened an office in Dubai, UAE to offer support to its clients in the Middle East and North Africa.

Dubai is i2O’s first office in the Middle East. The firm has offices in Spain, Colombia and Malaysia.