Clustering Experiences In

The Water Industry

Andy Roberts

CEO

Water Industry Alliance

Water Industry AlliancePrimary Objective of WIA: Growing the Water Industry in South Australia

by Growing Members Businesses

• 160+ water industry members (Companies, Government, Research)

• Member owned and Member Driven

• Membership Functions: Awards, Members Nights, Publications etc

• Strategic Functions

• Coordination of Industry

• Promotion of Industry

• Engagement with Government

• Represent state’s Water Industry globally

Members Nights Technology Tours

Awards Forums

Members of the WIA• Manufacturers• Professional Multi-Sector Service Providers

(eg Engineering, Law, Financial, Business)

• Specialist Water Service Providers• Utilities• Operations and Maintenance Companies• Distributors, Wholesalers, Retailers• Construction Companies• Government (Local and State)• Research & Education

Early Considerations

WIA includes a wide range of companies in a number of wider areas.

Which markets? • Had to accept we cannot win ALL of water globally.• Define scope – SA companies to interstate/global

markets

Soul searching – what are we good at … very good at?

Review of members, ICN, markets etc.

Not making winners, but identifying already winning groups of companies.

Early Considerations

Identifying Leaders

Shaping a Culture

WaRDA Results

MAR Hub Results

Global CompetenciesDriven by environmental factors:

DRY CLIMATE

Advanced Water Efficiency

Technologies

Advanced Water Policies

Alternate Water Planning

Techniques

Advanced Irrigation

Aquifer Storage

Water Treatment for Reuse

Innovative Contracting

Water Markets

HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE

Water Planning Optimisation

Materials and Products

STABLE & SUPPORTIVE

GOVERNMENT

Identifying Leaders

Carried out a series of one-on-one meetings with potential members.

Asked a series of questions:

Who are your best local suppliers?Who are your best local clients?Who are your best local partners?Who are your toughest competitors…?

Then added them to the list for meetings.

Got commitment to look at BIGGER markets and joint opportunity.

Early Considerations

Identifying Leaders

Shaping a Culture

WaRDA Results

MAR Hub Results

Shaping a Culture

Had to create a collaborative culture in the groups

Focus on bigger opportunities in new markets

Competitors can achieve a lot when working together

Know when to compete and when to collaborate

Understand what is ACTUALLY the companies competitive strength and what is simply functional

Healthy competition still in local markets

This took more than 6 meetings per group to cement

Early Considerations

Identifying Leaders

Shaping a Culture

WaRDA Results

MAR Hub Results

WaRDA has already started meeting with regulators to streamline the industry

WaRDA is working with Austrade to followup interest from Dongshen county in Shandong following trip

Members looking at interstate and overseas markets and sharing market intelligence

WaRDA branding be used in successful proposals interstate

Early Considerations

Identifying Leaders

Shaping a Culture

WaRDA Results

MAR Hub Results

Already identified that the group is involved in 30% of global academic papers

MAR Hub members are working in countries all over the world. Eg. Mexico, Middle East, World Bank interest

Increased partnering between members and referrals between members

Speaking at conferences as MAR Hub

MAR Hub has inspired an operators group meeting to help local MAR users

Early Considerations

Identifying Leaders

Shaping a Culture

WaRDA Results

MAR Hub Results

Thank you