The PSM is a patented carbonated water system that can turn any bottled water cooler into a sparkling water dispenser. Standing at just 17.7cm tall and 23cm long, the PSM offers high and low carbonation options and includes a pressure safety valve.
Staying on the topic of sparkling water systems, Crystal Mountain was exhibiting a new countertop dispensing concept at the show that offers hot, cold, ambient and sparkling water. Featuring an antimicrobial mechanism and LED lighting, the new Crystal Mountain concept has a space-saving compact design and stylish looks. Although not officially on release just yet, the concept could be on the market in the not too distant future if interest at the event was anything to go by.
Another popular device at WQA Aquatech USA was Follett’s new 15 series ice and water dispenser, which contains a 15-pound storage capacity and a drainless system. Available in countertop and freestanding units, the new dispenser eliminates the need for direct contact with ice and consumes less energy than similar sized ice machines.
As part of ongoing market research for the brand’s latest design, Follett was showcasing a 15-series machine with an attached LCD display at the exhibition and gauging public reaction to the additional feature. If the findings turn out to be favourable, the company could implement the screen as part of the standard 15-series package at a later date.
Coster’s Window Water Vending Unit also drew crowds at the event, as did TBCO’s Thomas machine. The former is designed as a 24-hour water cooler bottle filling station, which features a cashless payment system and can be placed outdoors, and the latter is a Thomas the tank engine themed hot and cold water purifier system, which is designed specifically for children.
After weaving through the swarms of attendees, I managed to find my way to the Igo stand, where technical services vice president Terry Havener agreed to an interview on the company’s new Elite point of use cooler.
Havener explained that the Elite machine allowed users to simultaneously pour hot and cold water, through the machine’s dual faucet system, and manually adjust the temperature of their water by degree. The Igo vice president also stated that the Elite cooler featured a portion control mechanism and alerted the user when the machine required a filter change.
Pure Health Solutions’ vice president of marketing & sales Lauren Metsig was also very helpful at WQA Aquatech’s 2014 exhibition, discussing with me in length the characteristics of Pure Health Solutions’ new blüV hot/cold water purifier. The new blüV device offers ultraviolet disinfection technology and an antimicrobial touchpad surface, as well as integrated leak detection and a powder coated steel construction.
Other notable designs at the show included Wellsys’ WS11000 system, which is micro processor controlled and includes a PH level balancer, Paino’s Hydrogen water maker, which dispenses hydrogen-rich water – a liquid that helps prevent illness and slows down the aging process, according to Paino – and Brita’s 2500.CT counter top Hydration Station, which includes a fast flow electronic dispensing mechanism and a carbon block filtration system.
Without divulging too much information, a member of the Clover team also gave me the skeletal structure of his company’s plans to release a new K-Cup compatible brewer coffee making machine. The brand is expected to formally announce the launch within the next few months, although I can reveal that the system will make a point of using fairly and ethically sourced coffee beans.
As the final day of Aquatech USA 2014 was winding down, I sat in on a lecture hosted by Jennifer Smith – general manager for water industry national training and consulting company Moti-Vitality. The Certified Water Specialist offered a female perspective of in-home water treatment sales and shared lots of interesting insights in her ‘What Women Want’ session.
According to the Moti-Vitality general manager, women are organised creatures that appreciate planning, confirmation and structure and any effort from a water treatment salesman to subscribe to this school of thought are greatly appreciated. Condescension and the invasion of personal space were also apparent huge turn offs from a female consumer point of view, as were sales ‘scare tactics’ and a lack of listening skill.
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