The pump professionals

Revolutionising the water pump industry in the Australian market is Grundfos Pumps—a leading entity within a global water industry giant.

Founded in Denmark in 1945, the pumps, pumping systems and water treatment solutions specialist Grundfos has continued to expand its worldwide operations by introducing ever-more innovative and unique products to new markets across the globe.

Grundfos Pumps Pty Ltd has been operating in Australia for more than 30 years and is considered one of the more mature companies within the global Grundfos Group.

“When we established the company, we based it on an existing distributor, which we bought 70 per cent of,” says managing director Steen Holm Jensen. “We are now one of the larger companies within the Grundfos Group and we are working closely with our colleagues across the Asia Pacific region.

“We look at the various solutions and applications that grow across the region and at how we can integrate these into what we offer in the Australian market. Parallel to this, solutions developed in the Australian market are made available to the rest of the Grundfos Group,” notes Holm Jensen.

Interestingly, Grundfos Pumps Pty Ltd is one of the few Grundfos companies around the world that is not entirely owned by the Grundfos Holding Company, with Ray Pank, the original distributor of Grundfos Pumps in Australia, retaining a 30 per cent share in the Australian entity.

Grundfos Pumps works within five different market segments, including the domestic and irrigation markets, the commercial buildings sector, industry, utilities and mining.

“I am confident that through this multi-segmented market approach we will continue to grow with our many partners in the market,” notes Holm Jensen.

“In Australia, mining is perhaps the most unique segment, if you consider the size of that market,” he adds. “Therefore, we decided to look at mining as a separate market segment, and we have created a specific team dedicated to selling pumps and pumping solutions to this industry.”

Supporting sustainability

As a leader in advanced pump solutions, Grundfos has become a trendsetter within the water technology industry and is contributing to the development of global sustainability through its pioneering technologies.

The company is making products and constructing solutions that aim to help its customers save natural resources and reduce the impact of mankind on the climate; with plenty already on its plate in the Australian markets, Grundfos Pumps has found itself revolutionising many areas of the pump sector.

“Today and in the future, our focus is on energy efficiency and energy efficient solutions,” says Holm Jensen.

“This is also the case at a global level throughout the Grundfos Group.

“In Europe, Grundfos was heavily involved in the Energy using Products (EuP) Directive — an EU legislation requiring manufacturers to improve the lifecycle energy efficiency of their products, and reduce their overall environmental impact.

“It is important that similar changes to standards and legislation are made in Australia, and we will be closely following any activities that aim to have an impact on energy efficiency standards.

“Our sustainable focus is one of the key differentiators that make us stand apart from our competitors. I would say that the fact that we are a stable force that is continuing to innovate and provide new solutions, rather than a stagnant player, is a testimony to that,” he notes.

As it leads the drive towards sustainability, the company has been playing a vital role in promoting innovation within Australia’s water industry.

“As environmental standards evolve, we will be well placed to provide energy-efficient solutions to our customers. Already, there are significant savings that can be realised by our customers, such as the huge energy saving potential in upgrading or renovating pump installations in existing commercial and industrial buildings,” says Holm Jensen.

Grundfos is always on the lookout for problems to solve and one of the most common issues across the Australian continent comes in the form of water shortages.

“On the domestic side we have quite a few solutions that can handle rainwater, such as a rainwater switchover device called the PM Rain, which can switch water supply between a rainwater tank and mains water, depending on rainwater availability,” says Holm Jensen. “We have similar, but larger-scale applications, that are available for commercial and industrial buildings as well.”

Global player, local care

Globally, Grundfos has an annual production of more than 16 million pump units, and has representation in more than 55 countries.

Established in 1980, Grundfos Pumps Pty Ltd has, for the past 30 years, provided sustainable, innovative pumping solutions to customers throughout the country from its head office in South Australia and various sales offices in the major cities.

In Australia alone, the company employs more than 160 people, and today generates a turnover of A$130 million.

Written into its constitution is a corporate purpose statement that looks to manage corporate sustainability and ensures responsibility is always at the heart of its operations.

Grundfos Australia is noted for the support it provides it staff and the wide array of career opportunities it offers potential employees in manufacturing, sales, marketing, electrical and mechanical engineering, logistics, technical services and finance and administration.

The company provides members of its workforce with the opportunity to improve their professional skills and develop their business or trade-based acumen.

“We operate a training programme across the whole organisation and part of that involves local training combined with training at the Poul Due Jensen Academy in Denmark,” says Holm Jensen.

“We have recently increased the amount of e-learning and online training we offer so that our staff are able to develop skills wherever they are based.”

In 2010, Grundfos opened a new facility in Ormeau, Queensland, that specialises in water treatment projects and has the aim of becoming a hub for water treatment engineering and assembly activities in Australia, again demonstrating its commitment to social and economic concerns.

Despite the effects of the GFC, Grundfos has continued to perform well, picking up new custom across a country that has a thirst for innovation.

“We were here 30 years ago and we plan to be here for many years to come,” remarks Holm Jensen.

By interacting with its customers, suppliers and other stakeholders, this global company has demonstrated an ability to remain committed to its policy of building relationships on a local level, as it looks to energise its operations in order to meet its ambitious business targets and aims within the realm of sustainability.

www.grundfos.com.au