Biwater was established in 1968 by its current chairman Adrian White CBE. The name Biwater - or two waters - was adopted because of the company’s involvement in the provision of clean water and the treatment of wastewater.
Very early on in its history, Biwater located its offices at Dorking in the UK , giving easy access to London and its two main international airports.
During the past four decades Biwater has grown by expanding its own range of skills and expertise, by acquiring established companies within the water industry and by forming joint ventures with organisations that provide complementary services. In the 1970s Biwater extended its business activities into world markets with successful contracts in Indonesia, Hong Kong, Iraq, Kenya and Malawi. In 1975 the Company won the first of its five prestigious Queen’s Award to Industry for Exports.
To date, Biwater has operated in over 90 countries throughout its history. Today, it has over 30 businesses around the world, each serving clients within their own region and via excellent communication channels and IT networks.
Important Dates in Biwater’s History
2010 Biwater Plc changes name to Biwater Holdings Limited
2008
Biwater's sister company, Cascal, lists on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'HOO'.
2006
Biwater acquired 100% of Cascal, the flagship company for Biwater’s international operation.
2005 Acquisition of USA based Advanced Environmental Water Technologies Inc, (AEWT), to form Biwater AEWT,
a supplier of advanced membrane systems with one of the largest municipal installed capacities in the world.
2002 Sale of the Spectrascan business.
2001 Biwater redefines its structure as a Group of companies with 24 offices worldwide.
2000 Sale of the pipes business.
Biwater forms a join venture company with NV Nuon ENW of Holland, named Cascal, to invest in water
infrastructure worldwide.
1999
Formation of Biwater Capital - international investment division.
1998 Sale of penstocks and pumps business
1997 Biwater Ltd is registered as Biwater Plc to strengthen global image.
1996 Sale of the valves operation
1994 Integration of Biwater’s two water supply operations to form Bournemouth & West Hampshire Water Plc.
1993 First overseas acquisition with purchase of Man Lee of Hong Kong to form Biwater Man Lee
Sale of East Worcester Water Company to Severn Trent
Biwater chairman, Adrian White, awarded CBE for services to export and to the British water industry
1993
Acquisition of Megadex Engineering in Poland, to form Biwater Megadex
1992 Acquisition of German company IBO GmbH to form Biwater IBO.
1990 Acquisition of Spectrascan, data acquisition and water monitoring specialists.
1989 Further expansion into the water supply industry with the purchases of Bournemouth & District Water Company and
West Hampshire Water Company.
1988 Queen’s Award to Industry for Exports.
Acquisition of Ames Crosta Babcock, sewage & water treatment plant contractors.
1986 New corporate image launched, with the introduction of the Biwater ‘fish’.
1985 Biwater shortens its name to Biwater Ltd.
Acquisition of Glenfield & Kennedy, world-famous valve manufacturer.
Acquisition of the Clay Cross Company, ductile iron pipe and castings manufacturer.
1984 Queen’s Award to Industry for Exports.
1983 Queen’s Award to Industry for Exports.
1982 Acquisition of Environmental Division of Moss Engineering Group, including Farrer Sewage, Wallwin Pumps,
Electrical Systems and Farrer Wallwin International.
Acquisition of Hunt & Moscrop contractor and supplier of water & sewage treatment plant.
1981 Relocation to current head office in Dorking.
1980 Acquisition of Ham Baker & Co, manufacturer of valves and penstocks.
1977 Acquisition of civil engineering and contracting company Shellabear Price (Holdings) Ltd and is renamed
Biwater Shellabear Ltd.
1975 First overseas contract signed in Nigeria. Biwater wins first Queen’s Award to Industry for Exports.
1968 Biwater established by Adrian White under the name Biwater Treatment Company.
1935
Shellabear Price founded - later acquired by Biwater
1912 Wallwin Pumps founded - later acquired by Biwater.
1901 Ham Baker founded - later acquired by Biwater.
1898 Ames Crosta founded - later acquired by Biwater.
1896 William E Farrer founded - later acquired by Biwater.
1863 Bournemouth & District Waterworks Company founded - later acquired by Biwater.
1852 Glenfield & Kennedy founded - later acquired by Biwater.
1837 The Clay Cross Company founded by George Stephenson - later acquired by Biwater.