Falcon Water Technologies and LSP Products have joined Plumbing Manufacturers International (PMI) as manufacturing members.

Falcon Water Technologies

Specializing in the production of water-free and water-efficient urinals and other water technologies, Falcon was founded more than 20 years ago with a vision of preserving the Earth's natural resources. Falcon now supplies its products to global brand partners in North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The company's touch-free, water-free urinal represents about 90% of the company's sales. "As the water environment became more challenging, we were in the right spot to be ready for it," said Falcon President and CEO John Confrey.

Focused on the commercial building environment, Falcon also produces a hybrid urinal that reduces water use by 98%, Confrey said. The company also markets its Intellimix faucet and tap innovation, a touch-free device that delivers a pre-determined mix of soap and water that improves hygiene, eliminates mess, and reduces soap and water costs.

"We look forward to sharing Falcon's perspective on water-free technologies as PMI continues to help plumbing manufacturers innovate toward finding safe, responsible plumbing solutions to the world's water management challenges," said PMI CEO/Executive Director Kerry Stackpole.

Confrey said commercial customers have become more comfortable with installing water-free urinals as Falcon perfected its product's design to optimize drainline performance and prevent odor. In addition, customers need not install water supply lines to water-free urinals, as long as the lines are not required by code, reducing the infrastructure, he added.

According to Falcon's website, Falcon's water-free urinal bowls have five times less bacteria than flushing fixtures. Falcon's cartridges can be used with partners' vitreous bowls, making them water-free or more water-efficient. The company says its products have saved more than 20 billion gallons of water so far.

With more than half of its business occurring in the United States, Falcon manufactures its products in Michigan, near Grand Rapids, with its international headquarters in Los Angeles. The company's products have been installed at Dodgers Stadium, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Taj Mahal, London's Heathrow Airport, and Camp Nou football stadium in Barcelona.

With a professional background in the water heater industry, Confrey said he had heard of PMI and decided to have Falcon join the association for the networking opportunities and to keep up with legislative, regulatory and technical issues.

"Relying on PMI, which is keeping up to speed with it and sharing information, is going to make that side of it much simpler for us," he said.

Confrey looks forward to his and his team's PMI participation. "I signed myself up for all the committees to make sure I'm up to speed on exactly what goes on in each," he said. "But once I get a better feel, then I'll be able to pick the right person from my team to help with each."