Posted July 21, 2010

Milwaukee Welcomes New Water Technology Company

Industry Innovator American Micro Detection Systems Chooses Milwaukee for its Manufacturing and Support Operations

MILWAUKEE – The City of Milwaukee along with its economic development partners are extending a welcome to American Micro Detection Systems, Inc. (AMDS). AMDS is a new company that will manufacture sophisticated equipment to detect impurities and contamination in water. Mayor Tom Barrett praised AMDS for selecting Milwaukee.

“We are building on our strengths. Companies that use water, process water, measure water, and analyze water are attracted to Milwaukee. And Milwaukee is working hard to grow this sector of our economy,” Mayor Barrett said. “This is also a victory for cooperation. The city worked closely with the Milwaukee 7, the Milwaukee Water Council, and others to attract AMDS. I’m proud of what we have accomplished together.”

Bob Keville is the president and founder of AMDS. His company has developed proprietary technology for analyzing water and other liquids. Initially, AMDS will employ fewer than ten people, but, after the start-up phase, AMDS projects it could employ hundreds of workers in Milwaukee.

The company’s REX™ product detects concentrations of dissolved metals in liquid flow systems down to part-per-billion sensitivity in real-time. It combines the use of a Nano Cellular Carbon structure to selectively capture metal ions and a novel X-ray fluorescence technique for detection. AMDS has developed a companion product, ToxAlert™, which analyzes organic chemicals in water. Based on an Extreme UltraViolet platform, ToxAlert provides real-time, continuous toxin identification.

AMDS technology will be used to monitor and analyze drinking water, waste water discharge, and process water and fluids. The company expects to serve the electronics, pharmaceutical, chemical, steel and food industries.

AMDS says it was attracted to Milwaukee for several important reasons. One factor is the regional focus on water technology. AMDS was impressed with Milwaukee’s existing companies working in the water technology field, as well as local academic institutions, including the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences.

AMDS considered locations in other parts of the country before selecting Milwaukee. It is headquartered in Stockton, California.

AMDS is raising $7.5 million in first-round financing to execute on its business model and fully build-out its Milwaukee operation. The company has received funding from Brown Deer-based Badger Meter, Inc., and this investment enables AMDS to finalize development of the REX Generation 1 product and begin manufacturing in the Milwaukee area. Assuming AMDS is successful in raising additional funds, the City of Milwaukee expects to participate in the capital raise. Subject to approval of the Common Council and contingent on projected job creation, the City would provide $1 million in the form of a forgivable loan.

The company has narrowed its search for the location of its Milwaukee facility. At this time it is focusing on sites in and nearby the Reed Street Yards.