From new to normal
We take many everyday products for granted, like the car, the phone – and the toilet. It’s easy to forget that these products, which we now consider essential, were not common just a hundred years ago. Over time, they’ve all undergone significant development, and now JETS is helping to shape the next generation of toilets.
What we interact with daily is the toilet itself, but behind the scenes, there’s a lot more going on. During our discussions with the Design & Research team at JETS, we gained insight into the key factors that have shaped JETS' history and development process.
The story of JETS began with developing sanitary solutions that could work on ships – vessels that move, tilt, and roll on the waves. In such an environment, water, sewage, and gravity creates a formidable challenge. Mastering this challenge is how JETS became a world-leader in vacuum technology for sanitary solutions.
The heart of Jets® systems – creates vacuum, macerates waste, and pumps in a single operation.
Compact and reliable – the most efficient vacuum generator for sanitary systems.
Handles both black and grey water under vacuum transport.
Innovation since 1989 – developed and patented by JETS, continuously improved and expanded in capacity.
Everything should be simple – and it should be durable.
When the first Vacuumarator® pump was introduced in the late 1980s, it marked a revolution in sanitary systems for ships worldwide. The pump was significantly more compact, efficient, and reliable than any previous systems, setting a new standard for the industry.
Since then, JETS has continuously developed and improved its pumps and other products, while expanding into new global markets. By raising the standard for sanitary systems, these solutions have increased efficiency, reliability, and space savings, resulting in lower operating costs and better resource utilisation across industries.
These advancements have enabled customers to achieve higher operational reliability and reduce maintenance costs, all while adopting more sustainable solutions. This has not only strengthened customers' competitiveness but also contributed to their long-term success.
It started with a desire to make a difference
– JETS is literally a product of product development, begins Tor Rønnestad, VP R&D and Project Manager at JETS.
– From our first vacuum pump to today’s products and solutions, we’ve always had the ability to adapt to market needs and challenge the existing. We’ve viewed challenges as opportunities, and through this, we’ve managed to create products that last, products people can rely on.
– When our founder, Olav, worked as a sales engineer, he got close to the everyday lives of customers. Here, he discovered both challenges and saw opportunities for improvement. Driven by a strong desire to create better solutions, and a dose of frustration, Olav began developing his ideas. This led him to sit down at the drawing board with the goal of improving everyday life through innovation and listening to customers' needs.
Tor explains that JETS' strength lies in their ability to think long-term. – We don’t just develop for today’s needs but also for the future. This has given us a unique position in the market, and our products are known for their durability and reliability.
Reliable products – a promise
When it comes to why JETS is so dedicated to product development, the answer is simple: – We are close to the product, the customer, and the production. This proximity gives us precise product knowledge, which is invaluable, says Rønnestad.
– Product quality and robustness are crucial to us. We ensure this through full control of the entire process, from development, through production, to finished product - with rigorous quality checks at every stage. Nothing leaves our factory gates unless we are completely sure it’s a world-class product.
– I often say that making a high-end luxury car is easier than making a reliable family car. If you make a mistake on one of the twenty luxury cars you produce, you can fix it for free – after all, the customer paid millions for it. But if you make a mistake on millions of family cars, you could be out of business.
This is worth keeping in mind as JETS continues to innovate and deliver thousands of installations and solutions in major global markets.
In-house testing laboratory
JETS has developed its own approach to product development, centered on a few key principles. – Our focus is on iterative development, he explains. This process involves creating a prototype, testing its performance, making improvements, and repeating the cycle. It ensures we continually refine and test our products until we are sure they are ready for the market.
At JETS headquarters in Hareid, a dedicated testing laboratory allows R&D engineers to test installations and prototypes. Every product is tested in the field as well, reflecting JETS’ commitment to staying closely connected with its customers.
He also emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. – At JETS, developers, engineers, designers, marketers, and production teams work side by side. This provides a broader understanding of what it takes to create a successful product and ensures that we always keep the customer in focus.
What does the future look like?
Just as cars and phones have undergone tremendous development, sanitation technology is also constantly evolving.
– Vacuum technology represents an entirely new way of transporting wastewater and installing pipes in the plumbing industry. This technology provides greater flexibility in installations and opens up new possibilities in both maritime and land-based infrastructure.
– There’s a lot of exciting things happening at JETS in the coming years. We’re entering new markets and facing new challenges to solve, which in turn gives us many different opportunities moving forward.
He envisions a future where sustainability plays an even bigger role. – We are committed to developing products that are not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. This is part of our vision for the future – to be a leading player in sustainable product development. Rønnestad concludes.
Innovation is at the core of our strategy, and on February 1st, Ingegjerd Eidsvik joined us as VP of Innovation and R&D at JETS. She comes from her role as CEO at Artec Aqua and has previously held various positions at Stokke AS, focusing on product development and supply chain management.
One of our latest innovations: RagBox®
An example of innovation and new product development is the revolutionary RagBox®. Designed to enhance maintenance processes in vacuum sanitary systems, the RagBox® offers a smart solution for quickly and easily removing trapped objects without dismantling pipe connections.
This unique product eliminates the need for time-consuming cleaning processes, while reducing spillage and unpleasant odors. Its user-friendly and eco-friendly design makes RagBox® an ideal addition to any modern vacuum sanitary system.
Interested in learning more? Here you can read more about RagBox®.