Xylem: solving water
A global water technology company redefines water while building resilience
Water. It is the most abundant chemical compound on the planet and yet, it is the world's most precious resource. By 2025, more than 1.8 billion people worldwide will be living in areas of absolute water scarcity.
Enter Xylem, a global water technology provider that harnesses the power of technology, data and expertise to solve water. A Fortune 1000 company with operations in more than 40 countries, Xylem is creating innovative and smart technology solutions to meet the world's water, wastewater and smart infrastructure needs.
FM has been there throughout the journey. As a trusted partner, FM has helped Xylem strengthen its business resilience as it has expanded its portfolio of water technology offerings.
Over the past seven years, Xylem has worked closely with FM to evaluate its assets and execute a robust plan to protect them.
"One of our top priorities has been to deepen our understanding of our entire manufacturing and distribution footprint...how each site contributes to the overall success of the company," explains Kelly O'Shea, former senior director of risk management and now vice president, chief corporate counsel and assistant corporate secretary, at Xylem Inc. "The FM account team has played an integral role in this work."
"We see the FM engineers as internal advisers."
Davide Morsiani, Montecchio plant manager
With deep knowledge of Xylem's production facilities, FM has helped Xylem advance its strategic approach to drive resilience. Today, a significant portion of Xylem's key facilities has attained Highly Protected Risk (HPR) status.
One priority was Xylem's production facility in Montecchio, Italy. The massive 350,000-square-foot (33,000-square-meter) location produces stainless steel components used in Xylem's water pumps. These products are used all over the world, from the agriculture and mining industries, to residential and municipal water systems.
As part of a companywide commitment to business resilience, Xylem, in consultation with FM, implemented a plan to upgrade and supplement the facility's sprinkler system while keeping the plant operational during construction.
Ultimately, the project was completed without a single lost day of production. With 90% of the production facility now covered by sprinklers, Montecchio became the latest Xylem facility to earn an HPR award.
"We see the FM engineers as internal advisers," says Montecchio Plant Manager Davide Morsiani. "They are here to help us find the best way to make our facility safe with the most reasonable and sustainable investment."