HZO manufactures thin film coatings applied to devices during their assembly processes to protect electronics from damage caused by exposure to corrosive liquids. HZO headquarters are located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The company also has Centers of Excellence in Shenzhen, China and Bac Ninh, Vietnam.[1]
| Industry | Thin film coatings |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Raleigh, North Carolina , United States |
Number of locations | Headquarters in Research Triangle Park. Additional Offices in Nyúl, Hungary and San Jose, CA. Centers of Excellence in Shenzhen, China and Bắc Ninh, Vietnam. 14 locations total. |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Parylene and Nanocoating protection for electronic devices |
| Services | Turnkey coating services |
| Website | hzo |
Background
editHZO is funded through a combination of equity and debt financing. The company publicly unveiled its protective technology for electronics at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2012.[2] In 2013 and early 2014 the company expanded its corporate offices and production facilities worldwide to include locations in China, Japan and California.[3] The company also has several application partners throughout Asia with further expansion anticipated. HZO revenues increased by more than 90% in 2013 and the company expects continued growth in 2014 with a consequent increase in royalties.[4] The company’s tagline is “protection from the inside out.”[5]
Technology
editHZO’s technology is applied directly to the circuitry of devices and components, creating a physical barrier that protects electronics against damage caused by water and other corrosive liquids, humidity, sweat, dust and debris.[6] HZO’s early customer base included medical, military, automotive and consumer markets.[7] Products implementing HZO technology include a Tag Heuer smartphone, along with a variety of wearable devices, which has helped secure HZO as a differentiating feature in wearable computing technology.[8] In 2013, the company unveiled enhancements to its proprietary equipment and machinery, and the company began mass manufacturing with an international brand on a wearable device.
Awards
editSince its official introduction in 2012, HZO has received awards and acknowledgments at a local, national and international level. These include the 2012 CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award for Embedded Technologies,[8] recognition as one of the Top Emerging Nanotech Innovators in both 2012 and 2013 by the National NanoBusiness Commercialization Association,[9] and Winner of 2012 Stoel Rives & Utah Technology Council Innovation Award.[10] The following year, HZO also received recognition with the following awards; “Best Advanced Technology” at the Wearable Tech Expo, New York,[11] "Best in Show" at the Wearable Tech Expo, Los Angeles,[12] "Best New Product or Service of the Year" by the International Business Awards, Gold Stevie Award–Consumer Electronics,[13] "Innovative Product of the Year"–Silver Winner, Best in Biz Awards[14] In 2014, HZO received "Innovation World Cup Finalist" at the Wearable Technologies Conference, Munich[15] and “Best of State in Consumer Electronics”, Utah 2014.[16]
Media
editHZO has received critical acclaim with features on MSNBC in January 2012,[17] The Huffington Post in January,[18] 2012 and April 2012, BBC in January 2012,[19] and The New York Times in January 2012.[20]
References
edit- ^ "HZO Expands Global Manufacturing Footprint with First Vietnam Facility". Bloomberg.com. 16 April 2020.
- ^ Perry, Tekla (10 January 2012). "Tech Talk Geek Life Tools & Toys CES 2012: Waterproof Your Electronics Gizmos". IEEE Spectrum. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Nanotech Liquid and Corrosion Protection Technology Provider, HzO, Expands Operations to China". Azonano. 11 December 2013. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Utah company HZO makes a splash in mobile electronics [Executive Appointments Monitor Worldwide] digg". TMC News.
- ^ "Nomination Title: HzO WaterBlock™: The future of liquid protection in consumer electronics". The International Stevie Awards. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ JAMISON, DOUGLAS (3 March 2014). "Harris & Harris Group Portfolio Company, HZO, Wins "Best of Show" at VCIR Winter Conference" (Press release). Globe Newswire. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "How HZO's Tech Helps the Military". Bright Side of News. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ a b Pachal, Pete (9 January 2013). "HzO Makes Your Smartphone Waterproof... on the Inside". Mashable. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ Caprio, Vincent. "NanoBusiness Commercialization Association 2013 Top Emerging Nanotech Innovators". Inter Nano. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ Kershaw, Nicole. "Winners Announced in the 10th Annual Utah Innovation Awards". Stoel Rives. Archived from the original on 2014-04-15. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Wearable Tech Expo Showcases Geek and Chic". Wearble Tech News. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Wearable Tech Expo Awards Companies for Innovation in Wearable Technology". Wearable Tech World. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "2013 New Products & Product Management Awards Category Stevie® Award Winners". The International Business Awards. Retrieved 15 April 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "2013 winners: Product categories". Best in Biz Awards. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ Marianne. "The Count-down is on: Wearable Technologies Innovation World Cup Announces Finalists". Instabeat. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "2014 Winners By Category". Best of State. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Dropped your phone in the toilet? No problem!". NBC News. 9 January 2012. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ "HZO Waterproofing". The Huffington Post. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ Kelion, Leo (8 March 2012). "CES 2012: New technologies unleashed at show". BBC News. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
- ^ Furchgott, Roy (11 January 2012). "How to Use an iPod Underwater". Gadget Wise. Retrieved 15 April 2014.