Saur has signed an agreement to acquire Natural Systems Utilities (“NSU”), a leading provider of turnkey water treatment and reuse solutions in the United States with over 270 systems currently in operation and a focus on distributed wastewater treatment and direct water reuse solutions. NSU has achieved notable success with marquee projects ranging from the Gillette Stadium & Patriot Place complex in Massachusetts, to the high-rise communities of Battery Park City in New York City, and the retrofitting of Microsoft and Google's Silicon Valley campuses in California.
With the acquisition of NSU, Saur will further expand its North American presence following its acquisition of the US water purification company, Aqua-Chem, in 2022. Through the acquisition of NSU, Saur will gain an established position in the residential and commercial onsite water and wastewater treatment and reuse market in the United States. Saur will also leverage NSU’s know-how to further penetrate the reuse market in Europe. In addition to NSU’s leading design, build, operating and maintenance capabilities, the acquisition is expected to generate significant synergies including cross-selling opportunities among existing industrial and municipal customers, manufacturing synergies, and product and procurement opportunities.
The acquisition will take place through Nijhuis Saur Industries (NSI), the Industrial Water arm of Saur, formed after the acquisition of Netherlands-based Nijhuis Industries in 2020. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
With the acquisition of NSU, Saur will further expand its North American presence following its acquisition of the US water purification company, Aqua-Chem, in 2022
Patrick Blethon, Executive Chairman of Saur:” For more than 90 years, Saur has been a leader in providing municipal and industrial water solutions around the globe. Giving water the value it deserves is our key focus and the acquisition of NSU will further advance our companies in our important work to pioneer solutions to tackle global water challenges. This acquisition will allow us to enrich our technological base in water reuse and decentralized water solutions, thereby strengthening our value proposition to a now broadened shared customer base in both residential and commercial buildings. It marks an important milestone in our water transition journey to a genuinely circular economy.”
Zach Gallagher, President of NSU: “In the past five years we have seen more activity, interest and regulatory movement in the distributed water treatment and reuse space than we have seen in the past twenty years. The industry is at an inflection point and this partnership with Saur/NSI will significantly improve our ability to support the growing demand and provide enhanced service to our existing and future customers. There is strong alignment between our turnkey approach to water reuse and the Saur/NSI #missionwater and their approach to ‘Customer for Life’ as we focus on building partnerships with the communities we serve.”
Bill Massa, CEO of NSU: “We are very excited to join forces with Saur/NSI and have spent several years to identify the right partner for NSU to accelerate growth in this evolving market. We are looking forward to leveraging Saur’s international experience and relationships and generating significant synergies across NSI’s Industrial Water arm. Their global presence will allow us to expand our reach, service new markets, and continue offering innovative and cost-effective solutions for water supply, wastewater treatment, and reuse.”
Menno M. Holterman, CEO and President of Nijhuis Saur Industries, Saur’s Industrial Water Platform: “To leverage the impact of water scarcity in a world with a growing population, and more people living in cities, decentralized water reuse is an important step forward to secure access to water and sanitation for all. Paired with NSU, Nijhuis Saur Industries is well positioned to bring new technologies and innovative approaches to the Americas and European commercial and residential buildings market to deliver resilient, innovative, and sustainable solutions to water challenges, now and in the future.”
The transaction is expected to close in Q1 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. EC M&A served as exclusive financial advisor to Saur.
