Grundfos

Grundfos is the world's largest pump manufacturer, based in Denmark (Scandinavia) with more than 18,000 employees globally. The leading pump manufacturers in the world, with an annual production of more than 12 million pump units, Circulator pumps (UP), submersible pumps (SP), and centrifugal pumps (CR) are the three major product groups. Grundfos covers approximately 50% of the world market for these pumps, and produces in addition electric motors for the pumps as well as a considerable amount of electric motors for separate merchandising. Furthermore, Grundfos develops and sells state-of-the-art electronics for controls for pumps and other systems.

Grundfos is the full range supplier of pumps and pump solutions, represented in every part of the world (For more information, please visit: [http://grundfos.com] ).

General info:

Establishment

Grundfos was established in 1945 in Bjerringbro by the late Poul Due Jensen. At first he gave his company the name of "Bjerringbro Pressestøberi og Maskinfabrik" (Bjerringbro Die-Casting and Machine Factory) and not until 1967, after several changes of names, did the company get its present name, GRUNDFOS.

Ownership

The Poul Due Jensen Foundation was established as a self-governing institution in 1975. Today, the foundation owns about 86 per cent, staff about 2% and the founder's family about 12 per cent of shares in Grundfos Holding AG. The aim of the foundation is to consolidate and expand the economic basis of the continued development of the Grundfos Group. The capital and the profits of the foundation are to be utilised solely for the aim of the foundation, that is the profits are to be re-invested in the Grundfos companies. Grundfos Holding AG is the majority shareholder in all the Grundfos companies.

Applications

Circulator pumps are used for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning in private homes, office buildings, hotels, etc. In industry, the pumps are used in processes as well as in the area of plant maintenance, and furthermore as important built-in parts in Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) products. In the water-supply and wastewater sector, Grundfos offers a wide range of pumps for irrigation, green houses and for municipal, private and industrial water supply as well as sewage applications use.

Global expansion

The Grundfos Group is represented by companies in all parts of the world. In addition, Grundfos products are merchandised by distributors in more than 50 countries.For instance Grundfos is very active in China.

In 2006 Hilge, a producer for pumps in sterile applications, was integrated into the group.

On December 1, 2007, Grundfos announced that it had purchased US pump manufacturer Peerless Pump Company."Effective December 1st 2007, the Grundfos Group has acquired Peerless Pump Company. Peerless is a U.S. based (Indianapolis, Indiana and five other North American facilities) manufacturer of pumps and fire protection systems. With more than 400 employees and annual sales of USD 110 million, Peerless is Grundfos’ largest acquisition to date. Grundfos continues its aggressive growth strategy in North America."

Research and Development

Grundfos has traditionally attached great importance to R&D. DKK 543m was used for research and development expenses in the financial year of 2004. In 1985, Grundfos established its own Electronics production and in 1991, Grundfos Electronics was inaugurated, including a Hybrid Factory with clean room production.In May 1990, the Grundfos Technology Centre was inaugurated. This centre is used for research of new materials, development of process technology and construction of advanced production equipment and machines. In 1993, Development, Design and Product Management moved into a newly built Innovation Centre.

External links

* [http://www.grundfos.com Grundfos' Country Select Portal (54 country websites) and link to Grundfos Corporate Website] (Source: H.C. Obel ([e-mail]) Grundfos Corporate Web Department)