Wellmaster and Lambton College Launch ‘Press X Press®’ Commercialization Project with Support from the Ontario Government

Tillsonburg, March 15, 2021 – Wellmaster, a leading North American manufacturer and wholesaler of products for the groundwater, oil, and greenhouse sectors has partnered with Lambton College to launch a collaborative research project to support the commercialization of the Press x Press® coupling.  The partnership is made possible through the Ontario government’s Voucher for Innovation and Productivity program. Led by the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), the VIP program supports collaboration between academia and industry to develop, implement and commercialize new technical innovations that solve existing industry challenges.

“Connecting academic research with local industry and commercializing made-in-Ontario IP into valuable products that meet immediate market needs is the very essence of the VIP program,” said Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, OCI.  “Reflecting the Government of Ontario’s strong interest in driving rural innovation, OCI is proud to support collaborative R&D in every region of the province.”

“Wellmaster is excited to work with Dr. Reaume and the outstanding research team at Lambton College,” said James White, Wellmaster Vice President Business Development. “The project will support product design and performance testing to commercialize the Press X Press coupling as a superior casing connection for the water well and structural piling applications.”

“Wellmaster brings decades of applied manufacturing experience to the design of the Press X Press® coupling,” said Dr. Stephen Reaume, Lambton College Research Operations Manager. “It is great to support an Ontario manufacturer to commercialize a product that has the potential to disrupt the North American water well and structural piling sectors.”

The Press x Press® couplings provides a no thread, no weld, friction taper connection for water well casing and structural piling. By using the same downward force used by drillers to advance the borehole the Press x Press® connects and seals the casing. Able to accommodate plain end casing, the Press x Press® has the potential to save drillers time and money by a providing a solution superior to conventional casing connections.

Through the VIP program the research project received $30,000 in support from the Ontario government, through OCI. This was matched with $30,000 in industry contribution and an additional $30,000 from the NSERC Engage program, for a total project value of $90,000.

About Wellmaster

Wellmaster is a leading North American manufacturer of couplings and tubular products for the groundwater and oil and gas sectors, and horticultural material handling solutions for the nursery and greenhouse sector. Our customers and distributor network rely on our ingenuity, superior quality and flexible production. For over 30 years the Wellmaster team has built its reputation on setting the highest standards for product quality and service excellence. We pride ourselves on being innovators committed to making a difference for our customers.

Press x Press® product demonstration video: https://youtu.be/ZFFT6r12CCc

About the Ontario Centre of Innovation

The Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI), formerly the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE), maximizes the commercial impact of research developed in Ontario’s colleges, universities, and research hospitals, and accelerates the commercialization of Made-in-Ontario intellectual property and technologies. A pan-provincial collaboration platform, with a broad and deep network across industry, academia and government, OCI initiates unparalleled partnership opportunities, develops and manages successful industry-academic collaborations, supports high-potential SMEs in commercializing ground-breaking research, and provides hands-on training and skills development opportunities for the next generation of highly-skilled talent. Learn more about the Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP): https://www.oc-innovation.ca/

James White
Vice President, Business Development
Wellmaster
t:             519-688-0500, ext. 227
c:            [email protected]