BluCurve looks at Southern Europe market

Nov 6 2009 by Chris Knox, The Journal

THE former technical director of a water cooler and dehumidifier manufacturer is hoping to make it big in Southern Europe after coming up with a new domestic water filtration system which fits under the kitchen sink.

Bishop Auckland-based Philip Walton left Ebac Ltd earlier this year to develop the system, which he believes could become a mass alternative to bottled water in countries such as Spain and Greece once it is brought to market.

He believes the product, which also chills the water and is being developed as part of new business venture BluCurve, will prove popular with consumers in hotter countries as their water often requires higher volumes of chlorine, which can often leave it cloudy and tasting of chemicals.

Mr Walton has already received funding from Design Network North (DNN), which will be used to develop the finished product, and has already reached an agreement with Ebac for its eventual manufacture.

He now hopes to make 1,000 units next year, rising to 10,000 each year by 2014, helping to add further jobs at Ebac – which currently employs around 200 staff in Bishop Auckland .

He said: “There are a number of devices available which for the most part are unattractive, inefficient, non-integrated or very expensive,” he said. “The market for mains-fed chilled drinking water dispensers, Point of Use Coolers, has enjoyed substantial growth over recent years rising from 400,000 in 2004 to one million.”

“With the help of Design Network North we will get a well-designed, highly efficient and integrated unit which will be more desirable to potential customers.”

John Hetherington, design specialist at Design Network North, said: “By partnering BluCurve with a design company, DNN funding will enable key issues around aesthetics, functionality, usability and ease of installation to be fully considered.

“This will enable BluCurve to bring a winning product to market in a shorter than anticipated time frame.”