The company.

• Author: Heffes, Ellen M.
• Position: THE OFFICE - Grundfos Management A/S - Company overview

Grundfos is one of the world's largest manufactures of circulator pumps for heating and air conditioning and centrifugal pumps for water supply, sewage and dosing.

Founded: 1945

Headquarters: Bjerrignbro, Denmark (with North American headquarters located in Olathe, Kan.).

Revenue: North American revenues of more than $500 million

Company status: Privately owned

Number of employees: More than 18,000, worldwide

Website: www.u.s.grundufos.com

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How did the company get started?

Grundfos was established in 1945 in Bjerringbro by the late Poul Due Jensen, who initially named it "Bjerringbro Prossestbering Maskinfabrik" (Bjerringbro Die-Casting and Machine Factory). After several changes, the company look ils current name in 1967. The Poul Due Jensen Foundation was established as a self-governing institution in 1975 to oversee the business and all other business of the Grundfos Group, the majority shareholder in all Grundfos companies. It now has 80 companies in 55 countries.

What are some of the company's basic strategies?

Our strategy is based on increased water scarcity and a growing need for clean technology and the provision and purification of water in a globalized world that is characterized by fast economic growth and rapidly growing consumption.

In addition to pumps, pump systems and advanced technology, we have developed a number of groundbreaking technologies within a sustainable perspective. That includes Grundfos Bio-Booster, which cleans industrial wastewater at the source; Grundfos LifeLink, a solar-powered water treatment unit for drinking water in the world's poorest areas; and Grundfos Microrefinery, which will generate valuable energy in the form of diesel from sludge.

What's most unique about the company?

Our ownership structure, where the majority of profits are required to be reinvested in the company, gives us a strategic advantage over competitors--being able to take the long-term view for the business.

Also, sustainability is a key part of Grundfos' business activities. We wish to create and strengthen sustainable relationships with our employees, business partners, and the society around us, not only in terms of products and solutions, but also financially and socially.

Sustainability is understood in its broadest sense as embracing the threefold bottom line of economic, social and environmental concerns.

What are some challenges?

In the future, demand will increasingly shift...