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Founded in 1945, Grundfos is a global leader of high-quality pumps and water solutions, producing ~16 million units/year and specialising in a wide range of pumps, including circulator, submersible and centrifugal pumps. Global Sales Development Director for Data Centres David McLean explained more, during an in-depth interview with Inside Sustainability.
Known for its innovative energy-efficient solutions addressing water and climate challenges, Grundfos is driven by a mission to make water more accessible and reliable while reducing energy waste. Despite the increasing demand for its solutions, Grundfos is committed to sustainability, setting ambitious targets to achieve net-zero emissions and improve water access globally
Grundfos is a global leader in water solutions that has taken the world by storm with its innovative designs and can-do attitude (last year alone it achieved an impressive revenue of €4.6 billion), yet the company is not one to boast about its accomplishments.
“At Grundfos we pioneer solutions to the world’s water and climate challenges, improving quality of life for people,”
explained Global Sales Development Director for Data Centres David McLean. “Though one thing to know about Grundfos is that we are great at keeping secrets. We are always working on lots of exciting, interesting projects and are the last ones to shout about them, though we are determined to respect, protect and advance the flow of water.”
A concise history
Grundfos, founded by Poul Due Jensen in 1945 in Bjerringbro, Denmark, has left an indelible mark on the world of pump technology. The first pump, Foss 1, set the stage. In the 1950s, the company introduced multistage centrifugal pumps, significantly boosting efficiency. The
Global Sales Development Director for Data Centres, David McLean
much positive feedback for this system
1960s saw the birth of the submersible pump SP, crafted from stainless steel. But Grundfos did not stop there, opening a sheltered workshop for those struggling in traditional work environments and delved into designing production machines.
The game-changer arrived in the 1970s: the CR30, the world’s first inline multistage centrifugal pump. Simultaneously, the company produced in-housedesigned submersible motors and established the Grundfos Foundation for social and environmental causes. Electronics production began, laying the groundwork for future innovations. The 1980s brought solar-powered pump technology, global expansion and ISO 9001 certification.
In the 1990s, Grundfos pioneered submersible pumps with encapsulated electronics, including the advanced MGE pump motor and the handheld-device-
configurable R100. Fast-forward to the 2000s, and Grundfos unveiled precise digital dosing pumps, emphasizing sustainability with ISO 14001 certification. This commitment to innovation spans the entire product lifecycle.
A sustainable approach
Like innovation, sustainability has also been a key factor in Grundfos’ journey to success.
Grundfos goes above and beyond when it comes to ensuring its pumps are as efficient and environmentally friendly as possible. The company even has its own list of environmental standards that each project is governed by.
“When we design our products, we have a very strict set of criteria that we need to meet,” explained Mr McLean. “Obviously, there are general industry standards that we follow, but our guidelines are higher than all of them.
“I remember a project was delayed once because the noise levels were deemed too high. I asked which regulation the project didn’t meet, and the response: ours.”
A lot of detail and careful consideration goes into each project guaranteeing the
quality, longevity, efficiency and serviceability that Grundfos is known for. The company also ensures that when it comes to production, sourcing and supply chain, it is as sustainable and efficient as it can be.
Grundfos’ Distributed Pumping system is an excellent example of pure ingenuity. Suitable for use in data centre cooling, or commercial HVAC, this makes it simple to balance chilled water systems at the exact delta T required.
“We get so much positive feedback for this system, because it utilises intelligent pumps that provide roughly 56 per cent saving in pumping energy and an approximately 15 per cent reduction in system energy,” added Mr McLean.
The bigger picture
Grundfos has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. As the first water company worldwide to have its target approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, Grundfos has laid out a clear path for success. The company expects by 2030 to achieve a 50% reduction in absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions, and a 25%
reduction in absolute Scope 3 emissions.
Following a new strategic partnership with renewable energy supplier ABO Wind, Grundfos is now expected to reach its 2030 reduction target earlier. With this partnership in place, Grundfos will transition 80% of its facilities to greener energy by the end of next year.
The company is also in the process of converting its fleets to electric vehicles, with its Irish operation fully converted and the rest of the 64 countries following suit.
Grundfos is also pushing its own CSR initiatives, having already donated a significant number of pumps to areas affected by war and natural disasters.
“We have a SafeWater business unit, which provides disadvantaged communities with access to clean water,” explained Mr McLean. “We work with NGOs to implement sustainable solutions with solar powered or wind powered pumps. This makes all the difference to these communities, allowing them to irrigate land, grow crops and build a budding economy.”
These efforts align with the company’s commitment to sustainability and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and Goal 13 (Climate Action).
Acknowledging positive results
In recognition of the hard work Grundfos has put in, EcoVadis the globally recognised assessment platform that rates the sustainability of a business based on four key categories: environmental impact, labour and human rights standards, ethics, and
Last year, Grundfos achieved:
• 9.5% emissions reduction compared to previous year
• 7% reduction in water withdrawal
• 25% women in leadership positions
• 109% increase in take-back (equating to 134,098kg of pumps returned for Grundfos’ recycling programme)
• Just shy of €1 million donated to Water2Life initiatives around the world
procurement practices, recently awarded the company with its coveted Platinum Medal, placing Grundfos within the top 1% of companies assessed.
“Being awarded the Platinum Medal by EcoVadis was an exceptional achievement,” said Mr McLean. “It highlights our commitment to conducting business in a responsible way, which of course, we couldn’t have done alone.
“We are so grateful for the collaborative efforts of our suppliers and customers who have been really instrumental in strengthening and enhancing our ESG practices.”
To meet the requirements of top tier status, Grundfos implemented additional policies to strengthen its social and environmental responsibilities. The company also made significant progress relating to its water- and climate-reduction ambitions.
Having previously achieved Gold Medal ranking; this latest result has spurred Grundfos on to achieve even more in the future.
“We are determined to continue on this path of innovation and improvement, providing water where it is required, while reducing energy, water usage and our overall carbon footprint,” added Mr McLean, in conclusion. “Grundfos is a company driven by values, which prioritises sustainability, is open and trustworthy, focused on people, independent, partnerships and relentlessly ambitions to do better. Water has been at the heart of what we do from the beginning, and it will remain there indefinitely, as we believe there is a possibility in every drop.” n
