NEXT ICON: JOTEM WATER SOLUTIONS

Water is a basic necessity of life. Still, having access to clean drinking water should not be taken for granted. Water can be contaminated with drug residues, and water scarcity is rising due to climate change. How do we deal with this so that future generations also have enough clean water? That is what Rob Borgerink and Carlo Kroeze are working on every day together with Jotem Water Solutions. They talk about how their technologies provide solutions to water problems in the broadest sense. 

This story was first published in the Next Icons Magazine. You can read the entire magazine here.

You started with water softening for the textile industry in 1965. It is safe to say that the world has changed dramatically since then. How did you keep reinventing yourselves?

Rob: "We work from a clear mission: to work on the water world of tomorrow. This mission requires constant innovation. This keeps it interesting, but at the same time, it’s hard work. This goes hand in hand with being down-to-earth, which is the typical local character in the Twente region. We help our partners understand their challenges and problems, and realize an appropriate solution for them. 

The entire process is supported by our vision. Many products are marketed based on a short-term perspective. This does not suit Jotem. We want to create sustainable solutions that can also be properly maintained. When we build a drinking water system for a less developed country, we don't want it to be so complicated that people can't maintain it on site. Otherwise it will be scrapped within five years. Then it would not make an impact. What we get excited about is coming up with solutions where the technology is 100% right. Our no-nonsense approach, combined with thorough research and a good dose of guts, ensures that we remain future-proof."

How does that hefty dose of guts manifest with you?

Carlo: "First of all, we are not afraid to get it wrong. Our techies are incredibly curious and immediately start running tests when they get an idea. This creates a very nice dynamic in the workplace. We also show guts in our collaborations. After all, together you can achieve your goals faster and better, even when working with competitor companies. That sometimes raises eyebrows, but at the end of the day, we are all working toward the same goal." 

Do you have an example of such a bold collaboration?

Rob: "This year, we put a water treatment plant on Pampus Island with NX Filtration and Van Remmen UV Technology. Water is pumped from the surrounding IJmeer and then filtered with our plant. You are not allowed to make your own drinking water just anywhere, but since it was not yet available on Pampus, this is a different story. That we could do that together with a party like NX Filtration - a party that outsiders would label as competition - was very special. The dynamic during the project is based on working together to drive innovation. Together, with this project, we show what it takes to make drinking water in order to create awareness. Negative people talked this project down and said that it could not be achieved so simply. But that is precisely why we do it. Falling is not bad. Not getting back into the saddle is bad." 

Driving innovation together, sounds good! Why is that important to you?

Rob: "Innovation is not just coming up with something that doesn't exist yet. It is also looking at what already exists, and how to innovate or optimize that concept. And you must always ask yourself why you are ultimately doing it. We don’t innovate for the short term. We do it for two or even three future generations. Water is called the blue gold for good reason. It's about a better future, not economic gain. It is not a shortcut to making more money. Our products must be good and sustainable, and we must be able to be proud of them. That's why we have many regular customers and people love working with us. The only way to be truly successful is to do something good for the world."