Smith & Loveless Inc. Welcomes U.S. Ambassador, Yemen Business Leaders to Discuss Technology for Vital National Water Needs


LENEXA, Kan. - Ambassador Gerald Feierstein, the U.S. Ambassador to Yemen, visited Kansas City-based Smith & Loveless Inc. with a delegation of top Yemeni CEOs to provide an update on Yemen's economic recovery post-Arab Spring. The visit to Smith & Loveless was part of a 5-day, 5-state national expedition across the U.S. to discuss key sectors of critical infrastructure investment.

"We brought the top business executives and entrepreneurs from Yemen to Kansas City to meet the innovators in water management and to learn from American industry leaders like Smith & Loveless," said Ambassador Feierstein. "As Yemen continues to navigate one of the most successful post Arab spring transitions to democracy, the Yemeni private sector has been unleashed and is investing its own money into critical energy, water and renewable infrastructure that is vital to the country's future."

As an established global manufacturer with distribution throughout the Middle East, Smith & Loveless presented the Ambassador's Yemeni delegation with sustainable water treatment and pumping technologies geared toward water reuse and power-saving efficiency. According Smith & Loveless president Frank J. Rebori, this water purification and handling technology can help meet the critical needs for infrastructure improvement in Yemen.

"The fundamental need of all humans is clean water, no matter the location," Rebori said. "Smith & Loveless' advanced membrane and water resource recovery systems efficiently meet this need as seen in the work we have accomplished throughout the Middle East and world."

The delegation was treated to a tour of Smith & Loveless' 110,000 sq. feet (10,200 sq. m) manufacturing facility and a technology presentation by the company's International Division. The group reviewed how advanced membrane systems produce high quality effluent water, which can be reused for numerous water-saving purposes. The discussion also touched on additional infrastructure-improving technologies like above-grade pumping systems with premium efficient pumps and potable water filtration systems.

Yemen is the surprise survivor of the Arab Spring and the only country that negotiated change at the ballot box. While most experts predicted the worst - just a year later, Yemen is proving them wrong with progressive milestones including a power-sharing deal, peaceful presidential elections in February 2012 and setting the foundation for a participatory, inclusive and transparent National Dialogue.

The Yemeni government actively reaches out to the private sector to play an essential role in the country's revival and lead the way for a sustainable growth strategy. Likewise, the international community - primarily, the GCC countries, the European Union, and the United States - is pouring in support, which is igniting private sector opportunities and interest in the country. More than $10 bn dollars in aide has been contributed by the US, Saudi Arabia and the Friends of Yemen.

For the U.S. specifically, the incentive to invest in Yemen is both about the bottom line for U.S. companies but also beyond. Economic growth and political stability are inextricably linked and driving private sector growth and creating jobs is a critical priority.

This certainly hits home for Rebori and the employees of Smith & Loveless Inc.

"I appreciate the efforts of Ambassador Feierstein to link leading U.S. water technology from the Kansas City manufacturing sector to this distinguished group of Yemeni executives in order to help the people of Yemen-and in turn help the people of Kansas City."

About Smith & Loveless, Inc.

Founded in 1946, Smith & Loveless Inc. is a global leader in the water and wastewater industry, offering a complete line of equipment and boasting installations in more than 70 nations around the world. For more information on Smith & Loveless Inc. and its products, visit www.smithandloveless.com, or follow the company on Facebook and Twitter.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Darby Ritter

Marketing Communications Manager

(913) 206-8901

dritter@smithandloveless.com

Jessica Bjorgaard

MarCom Specialist

(913) 888-5201 ext. 496

jbjorgaard@smithandloveless.com

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