Water Purification Systems Maker Moves Operations
By Fran Daniel, Winston-Salem Journal, N.C.
Oct. 13–Aduk Inc., which makes point-of-use water purification systems, has moved its production operations from Tazewell, Va., to Winston-Salem.
The company, which is based in Independence, Va., has contracted with Precision Part Systems, a contract-assembly and packaging company on West Northwest Boulevard to assemble the product.
“The meat of everything happens here because here is where all the product comes in,” Bill Harrison, a representative for Aduk, said Wednesday at Precision’s plant. “Here is where it’s assembled. Here is where the product goes out, and here is where people contact us about our product.”
Although Aduk has a small office at 511 Jersey Avenue, Harrison handles his day-to-day operations in an office at the plant.
Aduk describes its Pure and Simple water-purification system as a micro-water purification plant that fits in the same space as a bottled water cooler.
Glenn Land, the company’s founder and president, spent eight years researching and developing a product, which the company says eliminates the difficulties associated with cleaning and servicing of typical distillers.
Harrison said that the system’s advantages include quick and easy installation and maintenance, no drain plumbing, self-sanitizing, 14 gallons of storage and connections for coffee and icemakers.
The system was tested by Research & Analytical Laboratories Inc. in Kernersville for a wide range of potential contaminants.
Aduk moved its production to Winston-Salem because it was having quality-control issues with another manufacturer in Virginia, Harrison said.
Precision initially built 10 machines at no charge to Aduk just to show the quality of its work.
“We knew we could do it,” said Nick Doumas, the treasurer and a partner with Precision.
Still, the company had never tried assembling a water-purification system, said Kevin Brinkley, the general manager and a partner with Precision.
“Our concentration has been on electronic connectors for 22 years and it was a challenge for us,” he said. “But we were very excited about it. We think it’s an excellent product and we’re looking forward to increased sales.”
Production began in early August.
Charles Redden, the president of Precision, said that Precision officials are impressed with Aduk’s commitment to quality.
“They’re trying to put out a first-rate machine,” he said. “Bill has been hard at working on making sure that everything worked together. It has just been a good relationship so far.”
Precision, which runs two shifts, has 80 full-time employees. Ten of its workers will assemble the Aduk product.
Aduk expects to manufacture 2,000 systems by August 2006 and 10,000 the next year at the plant. It is marketing the product to households and offices, and through distributors. The retail price is $2,200.
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