CLEVELAND, N.C., Jan. 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The City of Lebanon, Ohio has selected Mueller Systems, a leading provider of innovative water infrastructure products and services and technologically advanced metering systems for water, electric and gas systems, to upgrade its combined water and electric infrastructure with a state-of-the-art advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) network.
Mueller Systems will provide Lebanon with the Mi.Net® Mueller Infrastructure Network for Utilities—an advanced two-way AMI network that will link more than 9,000 electric and 7,000 water service connections located within the combined utility's service area. The Mi.Net System enables utilities to improve operational efficiencies and customer service by fully automating the meter reading-to-billing process and linking meters, distribution sites and control devices in a single data network.
Mueller Systems offers a full line of residential, fire line and commercial meters, AMI and automatic meter reading (AMR) systems and related products that optimize the delivery and use of water and energy. It is a subsidiary of Mueller Water Products, Inc. (NYSE:MWA), a leading North American manufacturer and marketer of products and services that are used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of safe, clean drinking water and in water treatment facilities.
"The Mi.Net System will provide our residents and businesses with enhanced utility service by providing real time, reliable, water and electric consumption data that they can securely access via the Internet," said Scott Brunka, Deputy City Manager, The City of Lebanon. "It will allow us to proactively identify utility service issues, such as customer water leaks, which will help save money for both the City and our utility consumers. Through the implementation of this system, we can better control our long-term metering costs while enhancing our revenue through improved billing accuracy, which will help keep our utility rates stable."
Benefits provided by The Mi.Net System include on-demand meter readings, e-mail alerts and alarms based upon near real-time information as well as the ability for utilities to better manage their water and electric resources through on-going access to custom data and information. A recent enhancement to The Mi.Net System is Mi.Data™—a web-based portal that enables municipalities to strengthen relationships with consumers by providing a consolidated view of water and electricity usage online.
"By implementing The Mi.Net System, The City of Lebanon should be able to significantly improve customer service and operational efficiency as well as its ability to more accurately account for the water and electricity distributed through its system," said Hassan Ali, vice president and general manager of Mueller Systems. "This partnership demonstrates the versatility of The Mi.Net System as an advanced two-way AMI network that can be leveraged by water, electric and combined utilities to improve operations."
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements that address activities, events or developments that we intend, expect, plan, project, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and assessments made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including regional, national or global political, economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions and the following:
- the spending level for water and wastewater infrastructure;
- the demand level of manufacturing and construction activity;
- our ability to service our debt obligations; and
- the other factors that are described in the section entitled "RISK FACTORS" in Item 1A of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Undue reliance should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. We do not have any intention or obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
About Mueller Systems
Mueller Systems offers a full line of residential, fire line and commercial meters, AMR / AMI systems and related products. Mueller Systems provides Smart Metering solutions to optimize the delivery and use of water and energy. Municipalities that supply water, electricity or gas—or any combination of the three services—need innovative ways to increase efficiencies, reduce costs, conserve water and energy, and improve customer service. The Mi.Net™ Mueller Infrastructure Network for Utilities from Mueller Systems meets that need. For more information about Mueller Systems, please visit the Company's website at www.muellersystems.com.
About Mueller Water Products, Inc.
Mueller Water Products, Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, GA and manufactures and markets products and services that are used in the transmission, distribution and measurement of safe, clean drinking water and in water treatment facilities. Our broad product portfolio includes engineered valves, fire hydrants, pipe fittings, water meters and ductile iron pipe, which are used by municipalities, as well as the residential and non-residential construction industries. Net sales for the year ended September 30, 2011 were $1.3 billion and total employees numbered approximately 4,800 at September 30, 2011. The Company operates primarily through three segments: Mueller Co., U.S. Pipe and Anvil. The Company's common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol MWA. For more information about Mueller Water Products, Inc., please visit our website at www.muellerwaterproducts.com.