The eight Japanese trading companies, also known as “sogo shosha”, are Mitsubishi Corporation, Mitsui Corporation, Hitachi Corporation, Itochu Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, Marubeni Corporation, Toyota Tsusho, and Sojitz Corporation. Together these firms reported nearly US$600 billion in assets under management in 2023. These companies are global, with positions in key markets geographically, and are a unique group with a number of investments in water. Bluefield President and Podcast Host Reese Tisdale and Bluefield's Senior Analyst Ethan Edwards discuss three major questions surrounding the role of these companies within water: How are Japanese trading houses strategically positioned in the global water market, and what factors contribute to their investments in water-related assets? What role do Japanese trading houses play in driving technological advancements and innovations in water management? What are the notable collaborations between Japanese trading houses and local or international entities in the water sector? "These are massive firms, almost battleships of organizations. They've been at it for so long that they've accumulated a wide network that spans globally. Together, they wield a significant influence across a wide network of industries." --Ethan Edwards, Senior Analyst, Bluefield Research If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen. If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday. Related Research & Analysis: Japanese Trading Companies: Portfolio Strategies and Analysis Global Desalination: Market Trends, Ownership Rankings, and Forecast, 2022–2028 COVID-19 Wastewater Analysis Gains Traction

Badger Meter, a leading manufacturer of water metering products, has recently acquired the Telog brand of RTUs (remote telemetry units) and associated monitoring software from Trimble. Podcast host and Bluefield President Reese Tisdale, sits down with Bluefield's Senior Research Director Eric Bindler, to shed some light on the transaction, what this signals to the market, and who and which companies should take notice. Badger Meter has become a poster child for an incumbent water infrastructure/equipment supplier transforming into a leading digital water market player. For Trimble, this move clarifies their position in the market, doubling down on the construction and asset management space in water and related markets. If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen. If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday. Related Research & Analysis: The Global Water Metering Landscape: Technology Shifts, Competitive Strategies, and Market Outlook Badger Meter Turns Up Pressure with Syrinix Trimble Builds Digital Water Asset Management Platform with Cityworks Acquisition

In this first episode of 2024, podcast host Reese Tisdale chats with two members of Bluefield's Europe team, Chloé Meyer and Keith Hays, to get their on-the-ground perspectives of key water sector trends in the EU. From water quality to reuse to circular economy, Bluefield's water experts discuss what, if any, the implications are for water management in relation to energy prices and the Ukraine-Russia conflict. This discussion addresses three major questions: What are some of the biggest factors influencing, if not disrupting, the water sector in Europe? What are the key challenges and opportunities in the European water sector that businesses looking to break into the market should be aware of? How can emerging technologies, such as digital water tech and business models, contribute to the growth of businesses in the European water sector? If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen. If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday. Related Research & Analysis: Europe Municipal Wastewater Reuse: Business Models and Competitive Strategies The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) – ESRS E3 Catalonia Activates Multi-Pronged Drought Response

In this episode, Bluefield water experts discuss key themes in industrial water from this past quarter. Podcast Host Reese Tisdale, sits down with Bluefield Senior Analyst Amber Walsh, to discuss their findings. 3 major takeaways below: Sustainability initiatives are of particular interest. Keeping tabs on what companies are doing including partnerships and projects to meet water goals. Opportunities for mobile water treatment are on the rise. As businesses seek to insulate themselves from water-related risks, containerized water treatment systems stand to benefit. PFAS is impacting the industry, and becoming a growing concern for industrial facilities on who’s going to be liable. If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen.  If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday. Related Research & Analysis: Industrial Water: Key Trends, Deals, and Policy in Water Management, Q4 2023 Nijhuis Saur Expands European Industrial Mobile Water Treatment via M&A State of the Market: PFAS Policy Landscape, Forecasts, and Competitive Analysis

The Future of Water Podcast host, Reese Tisdale, and Senior Water Analyst Charlie Suse, discuss findings and takeaways from Bluefield's Water & Sewer Rate Index, published earlier this month. For eight consecutive years now, Bluefield has engaged in a comprehensive analysis of water and sewer rates for 50 of the largest U.S. cities. Over the past 12 years, combined household water and sewer bills for a typical U.S. household has increased by a total of 56.2%, or an average of 4.2% each year. From 2022 to 2023, combined household water and sewer bills increased by 3.9%, down slightly from the 5.2% increase observed from 2021 to 2022. On a whole, water and wastewater rates are fairly stable, not changing dramatically from year-to-year. But, from city to city, there is some variation. This episode is a discussion of water rates across some of the largest utilities in the U.S., uncovering the broader trends year-on-year and causes for rate volatility at the local level. Reese Tisdale and Charlie Suse hit on trends in water rates, drivers behind water rate fluctuation, and break down some of the hidden costs in your water bill. If you enjoy listening to The Future of Water Podcast, please tell a friend or colleague, and if you haven’t already, please click to follow this podcast wherever you listen. If you’d like to be informed of water market news, trends, perspectives and analysis from Bluefield Research, subscribe to Waterline, our weekly newsletter published each Wednesday. Related Research & Analysis: U.S. Municipal Water & Sewer: Annual Utility Rate Index, 2023

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported that employment of water and wastewater treatment plant and system operators is projected to decline 6% from 2022 to 2032. This news shines the spotlight on a critical infrastructure sector that faces mounting challenges, from aging infrastructure assets to emerging contaminants (i.e., PFAS). As water and wastewater treatment plants become more advanced with automated systems to manage treatment processes, fewer workers may be needed. Reese Tisdale is joined by Senior Research Director Eric Bindler, who notes while some work can be automated, plants will still need skilled workers to operate increasingly complex controls and water and wastewater systems. The overall water industry BLS data shows pretty steady growth of around 1.5% for the past decade and a half.

Two Montreal-based firms have been recently taken private. On 2 October 2023, Ember Infrastructure announced it would acquire H2O Innovation Inc., a Canadian water solutions provider. A few weeks later, LOGISTEC entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity firm Blue Wolf Capital Partners and infrastructure investment firm Stonepeak. The LOGISTEC acquisition,… Continue reading Are Take-Private Water Deals on the Rise?

What is saltwater intrusion and how common is it? The city of New Orleans is currently faced with a national emergency as a saltwater wedge is expected to reach the area between two and three weeks’ time impacting the drinking water supply of 1.2 million people. If contaminated, it could be weeks or months before… Continue reading Saltwater Is Coming for New Orleans’ Drinking Water, What Are the Mitigation Options?

Bluefield water experts provide a financial overview of the U.S. water industry, while breaking down regional footprints of key federal, state, and private funding sources for the water sector. This episode highlights examples of innovative utility funding and financing strategies, such as green bonds, innovative rate structures, public-private partnerships, financial technology, and advanced asset management.… Continue reading What Are the Financial Opportunities and Challenges Facing Water Utilities?

In this episode, Bluefield water experts highlight perspectives and findings from recent U.S. water utility budget and third-party O&M analysis.

In this episode, Bluefield’s water experts dive into Aegion’s acquisition of Portland Utilities Construction Company (PUCC), a trenchless service provider specializing in cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) and pipe bursting. PUCC serves the municipal market in Texas and the southeastern U.S. PUCC is Aegion’s sixth deal since 2021 and has significant market share in CIPP. Aegion has… Continue reading Aegion Adds More Deals to the List

Danish pump manufacturer Grundfos has recently acquired U.K.-based telemetry and analytics firm Metasphere from private equity investor XPV Water Partners. Grundfos has in recent years, expanded its footprint from its core pump offerings for water network management and treatment toward digital offerings. Metasphere’s specific experience with wastewater networks especially in the U.K. and Australia, will… Continue reading Grundfos Goes Deeper Into Digital Water

In Europe, the need for sustainable water management solutions has been magnified by last summer’s drought and record-breaking temperatures. The increasing severity of water stress remains a key driver behind the implementation of wastewater reuse. Particularly, in Southern Europe where water stress is more pronounced, the reuse market has witnessed greater development, although with challenges… Continue reading Water Reuse Builds Momentum in Europe

The potential collapse of Thames Water is all over the news and has raised alarm bells on many fronts. Thames Water serves approximately 15 million people across greater London. Not a small system by any comparison, and it seems to be sinking under a £14 billion debt load, thereby requiring more money.   In this episode, Bluefield’s water… Continue reading How Real Is the Thames Water Crisis?

Both the American Water Works Association and Black & Veatch have released their 2023 industry surveys of the water market. In this episode, Bluefield’s water experts discuss the survey findings and breakdown the top water industry issues: aging water infrastructure, supply chain challenges, cybersecurity, financing capital improvements, climate change, pollution. How did these industry issues… Continue reading A Review of the State of the Water Industry

There are over 72,000 community water systems and wastewater treatment facilities in the U.S. But what is the addressable market opportunity for water and wastewater for utilities and investors? And how do the opportunities vary by utility ownership, system size, and state? Our clients have been asking Bluefield to size the municipal water and wastewater… Continue reading What’s the Addressable Market for Water Utility Consolidation?

Jacobs, one of the leading engineering firms in water, announced plans to spinout its Critical Mission Solutions business unit. With this move, the company streamlines their business focus, including on water, and boosts share price in the wake of higher margins and growth. Bluefield’s water experts discuss the EPC firm’s recent strategy and what the spinout… Continue reading What’s Behind Engineering Firms’ Strategy Shifts in Water?

The semiconductor market is a buzz with activity as high demand—primarily driven by consumer electronics and automotive sectors—and policy, namely the U.S. and the EU Chips Acts, come together to create a favorable environment for billion dollar investments for new semiconductor manufacturing plants. Bluefield’s water experts discuss where the investments are happening, globally, and what… Continue reading Will Semiconductor Boom Drive Water Market Opportunities?

Bluefield’s water experts discuss the European Chemical Agency’s (ECHA) recent launch of a six-month evaluation to review a proposal for restricting the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The proposal, submitted by the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway, is representative of public concerns that are escalating in the EU and applies to both… Continue reading EU Regulators Ramp Up PFAS Action for Drinking Water, Biosolids

On 20 March 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments of Arizona v. Navajo Nation, a dispute over Colorado River water rights. The court’s decision could have significant implications for the water rights of Tribes across the country. Navajo Nation is one of the Indian Health Service (IHS) administrative areas with the greatest need for… Continue reading A Perfect Storm: Tribal Infrastructure Investment, Western Water, and the U.S. Supreme Court