A Cincinnati-based manufacturer of solid-form water-treatment chemicals for cooling towers and boilers has launched APTech Solids Ltd. in the United Kingdom.

Headquartered in Chester, the new company will recruit water-treatment firms to distribute APTech Group’s products in the United Kingdom, Ireland and European countries. The manufacturing operation in Cincinnati and the European factory in Prague, Czech Republic, will supply products for the U.K.-based operation.

 Steve Crick has been hired as the first employee of the U.K.-based company and will serve as the firm’s managing director. For the past eight years, he has worked for Waterchem Ltd./Green Compliance, where he focused on sales and technical service for water-treatment customers.