Innovation and a green heart

Watts Industries Italia Srl is a part of the Watts Water Technologies Group. Industry Europe looks at the company’s continued dedication to innovation and the latest products launched in 2017.

The Watts Water Technologies group is listed on the New York stock exchange and is headquartered in North Andover, Massachusetts (USA) with branches located all over the world. Watts Water Technologies contributes to its sector’s technological research with its continuous development and maximum quality-oriented philosophy. Watts has implemented a research and development programme focused on increasingly efficient energy-saving solutions.

The group has been present in Italy since 1993, with two plants based in Biassono, in the Monza area, about 20 kilometres northeast of Milan; and Gardolo, near the north-eastern Italian town of Trento. Watts Industries Italia’s most recent overall turnover amounted to €75 million. The company is a leader on the Italian heating, air conditioning and plumbing market. It is well-known for the fundamental role it plays in the sector, with the launch of systems and products such as flush Modul manifolds, zone control, quickconnect one-piece fittings, balancing valves, heat metering/billing systems and hydraulic backflow preventer units. Watts Italia also offers its partners (wholesalers and OEMs) a new series of reliable high performance products, including: digital and radio frequency thermostats, new concept thermal energy meters, components for solar systems and a new domestic hot water distribution system.

The range includes products such as Domoradiant – a device designed for mixing and delivering hot water at a lower temperature and consisting of a three-way mixing valve operated by a thermostatic actuator with a FH-148SD remote sensor. The required flow rate for feeding the radiant panels is supplied by a three-speed

electrically driven pump. The manifold can supply up to 12 lowtemperature circuits and up to three radiators. Each return outlet is designed to fit the 22C series thermostatic actuator for adjusting the temperature in each individual room. The supply outlet is fitted with the FLMR series flow meter, which is able to measure and adjust the flow rate accordingly. As an option, the various electrothermic actuators (when provided) can be controlled by a WFHT series modular control box. The Master module is provided with a control relay for the electrically-driven pump, which is automatically deactivated when all the actuators are closed. When the actuators are not controlled by the modular box, a by-pass kit is available for controlling the differential pressure. Such a kit should be attached to the head connections of the manifolds. The system, which has been hydraulically tested in the factory, is housed in a special inspection box equipped with a single door and epoxy finishing.

Watts pays particular attention to domotics and water distribution applications. The company has studied specific solutions aimed at lowering energy consumption and improving comfort. One of these is the WattsVision system, whose aim is that of achieving optimum comfort in residential buildings, with customised management of heating and other house devices, as well as of metering products and thermostatic valves.

Recent products and R&D

Talking about recent products, in 2017 the company presented the new MH Series of hydraulic balancing valves for radiant panel floors. This is an absolutely innovative solution, which is able to quickly and easily aid the installer in the maintenance of functioning plant system parameters.

Furthermore, it has launched on the market the new e-Ultramix: a mixing thermostatic valve equipped with an anti-Legionnaires’

disease valve. This is a device suitable for installation in the systems of buildings used by the general public, where the risk of contracting Legionnaires’ Disease constitutes an important public health issue.

A strong believer in innovation, in 2016 Watts strengthened its research facilities in Italy, opening an R&D centre at the Rovereto-based BIC (Business Innovation Centre). The research taking place here is concentrated on applications for heating and air-conditioning systems, with a special focus on central heating plants and network distribution.

In 2016, Watts has launched two product lines: the new radiator valves, which have been designed according to new system solutions and the WattsVision system, which helps the user to best manage comfort and other domestic devices, taking domotics to a new level. Splitting heating expenses among the residents of multi-occupancy buildings is an issue, especially further to legal requirements demanding heat meters in this type of building. In this framework, Watts offers a dedicated product line and has organised a series of meetings, which have proven to be very popular all over Italy.

The company will continue to invest in this, both in terms of training and development of new products. Legal requirements concerning renewable energy are in the pipeline. These will influence future changes at system level, triggering necessary system and component innovations for radiator valves and water protection systems.

Watts mainly serves the HVAC market. It operates at global level, with the SEE Region covering Italy, Spain and other Mediterranean countries. At the moment, there are no plans for boundary expansion either at geographical or market segment level. Being a diversified multinational company, Watts’s future development plans could take a different course. n