Local roots and a global reach

Many businesses in our area quietly contribute to global industries, while maintaining strong local roots. One such company, Aqua-Aerobic Systems, has not only thrived in Rockford for five decades but is also playing a pivotal role in revolutionizing water treatment technology—locally, nationally, and internationally. As the company undergoes a major expansion, it’s clear that its impact extends far beyond its Loves Park headquarters.

Protecting the world’s water
Since its founding in 1969, Aqua-Aerobic Systems has remained committed to one essential mission: To protect the world’s water. While that might seem like an ambitious goal, James Horton, president of Aqua-Aerobic Systems, believes it’s not just possible but necessary.

“We’ve been creating technologies that protect water for over 50 years,” Horton said. “Our mission is to ensure safe, clean water through advanced treatment solutions—whether it’s for wastewater, drinking water, or even tackling the challenge of ‘forever chemicals.’”

As environmental challenges continue to grow and become more complex, Aqua-Aerobic Systems is at the forefront of developing solutions to tackle water purification. Among their many innovations, they pioneered ceramic membrane technology for drinking water treatment and created world-leading wastewater purification systems.

More recently, Aqua-Aerobic has been instrumental in addressing the contamination of water supplies by perfluorinated chemicals, specifically perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Both are synthetic chemicals belonging to the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their extreme persistence in the environment and resistance to degradation. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new regulations on these chemicals are forcing many municipalities to search for advanced solutions, and Aqua-Aerobic is ready with technology that meets strict safety limits at a lower cost than existing alternatives.

“These chemicals have contaminated drinking water supplies in many areas,” Horton said. “The EPA now mandates extremely low limits for PFOS and PFOA, and our technology is designed to help communities meet those requirements efficiently and affordably.”

A beneficial partnership
While Aqua-Aerobic Systems is a global leader in water treatment technology, they maintain strong local ties through their long-standing partnership with the Four Rivers Sanitation Authority in Rockford.

“One of the great highlights of my career has been working with Four Rivers,” Horton said. “We started a research collaboration 15 years ago, which led to the construction of a one-of-a-kind research facility right here in Rockford.”

This 5,000-square-foot Aqua-Aerobic Research & Technology Center has enabled groundbreaking advancements in water treatment, and Four Rivers has implemented multiple Aqua-Aerobic Systems technologies to improve water quality in the region. Beyond that, the partnership has benefited Rockford residents directly.

“All of our technologies are built in Rockford,” Horton said. “That means we’re paying local vendors, partnering with steel fabricators, piping companies, and electrical workers. The money invested in our projects circulates back into the local economy, creating jobs and sustaining businesses.”

Home grown and growing
As Aqua-Aerobic Systems continues to grow, so does its need for more space, resources, and talent. The company is currently undergoing a significant expansion, adding roughly 20,000 square feet of office space and 18,000 square feet of additional factory space at its Loves Park facility.
“We’ve been growing at about 20% per year, and, as a result, we’ve outgrown our current facilities,” Horton explained. “This expansion will allow us to house more employees and increase our manufacturing capacity.”

The expansion is also a response to an aggressive hiring strategy. In the last two years alone, Aqua-Aerobic has hired more than 60 new employees, with positions ranging from engineers and researchers to field service technicians and production specialists.

“We currently have around 15 open positions, including engineering, production control, purchasing, and field service roles,” Horton said. “We’re always looking for great talent, and we love to hire locally.”

Training skilled workers
Recognizing the challenges of finding skilled workers, Aqua-Aerobic Systems is taking a proactive approach by developing its own training program. This year, the company is launching the Aqua Service School, a four-year apprenticeship program designed to train new field service technicians.
“We’re starting with five local hires this fall who will go through hands-on training to become skilled service technicians,” Horton said. “This allows us to grow our own talent and ensure that our workforce remains highly trained in the latest technologies.”

The initiative highlights a larger trend in the Rockford manufacturing sector—companies investing in education, apprenticeships, and workforce development to create a sustainable pipeline of skilled labor.

Local commitment
While Aqua-Aerobic Systems calls the Rockford Region home, the company has subsidiaries in Switzerland and Germany, as well as representatives in countries such as India, Australia, and the Philippines.

Despite their international reach, Aqua-Aerobic remains committed to its local identity.

“We still manufacture in Rockford and ship to all corners of the globe,” Horton said. “Wherever possible, we work with local vendors and keep our supply chain within a 50-mile radius to support the community.”

The company’s investment in local manufacturing and economic development is supported by the Greater Rockford Chamber of Commerce (GRCC), which plays a role in Aqua-Aerobic’s continued success.

“The Chamber has been a wonderful partner for Aqua-Aerobic over the years,” Horton said. “From celebrating our milestones to providing leadership training and supporting our expansion with tax incentives, their involvement has been invaluable.”

With a focus on research and innovation, Aqua-Aerobic Systems isn’t just expanding its business—it’s securing the future of water treatment around the world and strengthening economic growth in the Rockford Region.

For more information about GRCC’s economic development support for members, contact Alex Keedi at akeedi@rockfordchamber.com.