Global water pump giant Grundfos keen to become market leader in Sri Lanka

World’s biggest water pump manufacturer Grundfos founder’s grandson and Chief Sales Officer Poul Due Jensen 

By Nisthar Cassim

Global giant in pump and water technologies, Grundfos is keen to enhance its engagement with Sri Lanka and become the market leader, a top executive of the Danish-based multinational revealed recently. 

Founded in 1945, Grundfos is the world’s biggest manufacturer of water pumps supplying over 17 million units annually. In 2018, its net turnover was 26.7 billion Danish Kroner ($ 4 billion or Rs. 714 billion). It has nearly 20,000 employees in 56 countries. In Asia where Grundfos is marketed in nearly 20 countries it is the leader and solutions to industries account for over 40% of its regional sales.

“We are not as strong as we would probably like to be in Sri Lanka,” Grundfos founder’s grandson and Chief Sales Officer Poul Due Jensen told a group of Asian journalists including the Daily FT during a recent visit to Denmark, suggesting it is keen to expand engagement and become a major contributor.

In Sri Lanka, Grundfos has been supplying world class pumps for over 25 years and describes is one of the leading suppliers. The focus is to become the market leader. 

The company provides energy efficient pumps and smart pumping solutions for various applications across diverse segments including domestic and commercial buildings, industries, water utilities (water and wastewater management) and pumps running on renewable energy.

“We provide world class solutions to boosting, pumping, cleaning, heating, cooling, treatment etc.,” Jensen said.  

The company revealed it has enjoyed double digit growth in Sri Lanka. However, emphasis is to accelerate the growth further and reach more customers. For this a representative office has been set up in Colombo overseen by Singapore Headquarters for sales support production and logistics.

To acquire new businesses and serve customers in Sri Lanka, Grundfos works with four partners Hayleys PLC Group’s Hayleys Aventura Ltd. for commercial building services, Sierra Engineering and Construction Ltd. for water utility projects and public tenders, Analytical Instrument Ltd. for medical, analytical and agricultural sectors, infrastructure development and Solar Therm.

Among Grundfos’ recent milestone projects is the 47-storey mixed development Colombo City Centre, for which it provided SEV wastewater pumps and hydro MPC booster stems for plumbing and sanitary applications.

Other notable projects handled by Grundfos includes pressure boosting and wastewater solutions to Coca Cola plant in Biyagama, the Unichela plant in Panadura and the MAS Intimates in Ratmalana, chilled water circulation and delivery and automated chemical dosing water intake for Unilever for its plant in Horana, and the water supply project in Galigamuwa for which it provided drainage pumps, suction and water pumps among others to enable water treatment and transmission, and dry zone water supply and sanitation in Mannar.

According to Grundfos Asia Pacific Region Regional Director Business and Product Portfolio – Water Utility Tan Chee Meng, Grundfos recently secured two contracts concerning flood control including the Ambatale project. “We are working on a few more projects including water treatment,” Meng added. 

Focus in Sri Lanka includes building services especially new projects offering booster system, wastewater transportation and fire pumps package for hotels, mixed development office and condominium and government buildings. Under industry booster system needed for production and waste water handling from factories discharge as well as fire pumps. Industries include food and beverage production, apparel, tyre plant and breweries.

In water utilities Grundfos is focused on water treatment and distribution plans and more recently flood control pump stations. Equipment includes gas chlorination, dosing process, distribution pumps, treatment process pumps and propeller pumps.

Poul Due Jensen said Grundfos, which will celebrate its 75th anniversary next year, is extremely fortunate to be a business around water. “Opportunities are just humongous and there is so much more we can do to help the world become a better place whilst having a great business.” 

He said Grundfos focus revolves around differentiation, constantly looking for new opportunities, end to end solutions. 

Jensen also said that Grundfos is a champion of UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation and 13 – Climate Action. “There are opportunities for private sector in SDGs. Water is the most important factor for future generations and Grundfos wants to contribute to it,” he added.

Last year Grundfos’ installed base of high efficiency circulator pumps helped save 8 billion kWH of energy, equivalent to that of 4.8 million EU-residents. It also has 200,000 solar powered water pumps installed in developing countries.

Earlier this month Grundfos launched its superior and  high energy efficient Distributed Pumping System, first of its kind in Asia, to  help air conditions systems use up to 50% less energy than the current convention methods.

Grundfos supplies a wide range of pumps for all purposes including irrigation, flood mitigation, public water supply, ground water supply, municipal and industrial wastewater, dosing and disinfection system, pressure boosting, heating, rainwater harvesting system, solar pumping system, air conditioning services, firefighting services, home boosting, industrial application, hot and cold water services, pump audit etc.