Two foreign companies, Eaux Collectives & Traitements (ECT) of France and Pipesonic of Canada, have signed leases with the Global Water Center, the heart of Milwaukee’s world-class water technology hub, The Water Council announced today. Both companies will utilize space in The Water Council’s Oasis Coworking Community in the building.
ECT provides anti-corrosion solutions for water tanks and filters. It will begin developing opportunities in the U.S. market with its first U.S.-based employee. The Water Council supported ECT during a site visit to Milwaukee and matchmaking sessions in 2022 as a referral from Business France in Chicago.
“As we were looking for a U.S. location, the Global Water Center in Milwaukee was an obvious choice,” said Fabrice Aniel, CEO of ECT. “The Water Council has helped us establish U.S. connections and navigate the American business and regulatory environment, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as we expand in the U.S.”
Pipesonic uses advanced sonic tools to conduct non-invasive assessment of watermains. Its founders participated in The Water Council’s BREW 2.0 Post-Accelerator as part of a previous company.
“We appreciate our relationship with The Water Council and this opportunity to work closely with them to grow our U.S. operations,” said Harrison Richarz, chief innovation officer of Pipesonic. “Milwaukee’s water technology hub offers a wealth of opportunity to expand our network.”
Both companies will participate in The Water Council’s post-WEFTEC international business development event later this week. Representatives of water technology companies and water clusters from nine countries will visit Milwaukee to learn about growing in the U.S. market, the work of The Water Council and Milwaukee’s water technology hub.
The Global Water Center, 247 W. Freshwater Way, Milwaukee, offers a “soft landing” for overseas companies looking to grow in the U.S. with a variety of spaces available, from traditional, fully furnished office suites to desks in the Oasis, along with support from The Water Council.
With the addition of ECT and Pipesonic, the Oasis is now at capacity, with 12 companies renting space. The Water Council is considering options to expand the available space for the popular offering.
“The word is getting out about Milwaukee as more and more global companies recognize it as a place where water works,” said Dean Amhaus, The Water Council president and CEO. “We’re thrilled to have this opportunity to grow our world water hub.”