Grundfos to introduce ambitious water technology plans in Lanka | Sunday Observer

Grundfos to introduce ambitious water technology plans in Lanka

24 June, 2018
Grundfos production complex in Denmark
Grundfos production complex in Denmark

Grundfos, the world’s largest pump manufacturer sees high potential in the Sri Lankan market due to its construction, tourism and apparel industry boom.

The company plans to expand its Colombo office at the World Trade Centre (WTC) over the next couple of years, by investing in human capital. Currently, there are eight employees in the Colombo office.

The company has worked with several government and private sector institutions in Sri Lanka over the past 25 years and is one of the leading pump manufacturing players in the country. More recently, Grundfos worked with the contractors of Colombo’s Shangri La hotel to provide a a total pump solution package that is well suited with the hotel sector.

“We are a global leader in advanced pump solutions and a trendsetter in water technology.

The company has plans to expand its footprint in Sri Lanka,” said Kim Jensen, Group Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director, Grundfos Asia Pacific Region.

He said in Sri Lanka the company’s business is focused on building services, water utility and supporting industry with world- leading pump solutions. In recent years, Grundfos has experienced double digit growth in the island, he said.

Currently Grundfos works with its partners in Sri Lanka including Analytical Instrument (Pvt) Ltd, a technology company supplying solutions to the medical, analytical and agricultural sectors and Sierra Engineering and Construction Pvt Ltd to participate in public tender processes. Grundfos also partners with Analytical Instrument and Hayleys Aventura Pvt Ltd to provide after sales services to the industry and commercial building services sectors.

“As Sri Lanka’s demand for water increases across drinking, agricultural irrigation and industrial use – every drop counts - requiring the government and business to look at water conservation solutions.

This is especially as Sri Lanka’s unaccounted water rate- water lost through issues such as pipe breakage – is at 30% and 49 % in Colombo,” Grundfos research has found out.

Jensen said, Sri Lanka can strengthen its water security by using new technologies. The next step in future-proofing the approach is by looking at adopting new technology in Sri Lanka’s water systems such as sensors providing data on water levels, automatic software systems which manages water pressure and helping households manage water usage.

Speaking to a group of Asian journalists visiting their manufacturing facility in Denmark Jensen said, “The company is dedicated to supporting worldwide efforts to reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, in line with the Paris Agreement commitments. Sustainability is a very important part of Grundfos’ DNA and we are in a continuous process to create cleaner and more energy efficient technologies to enable our customers to reduce their water and energy consumption to limit the impact on the environment,” he said.

Jensen said they expect a huge growth in business in Sri Lanka, following the country’s urbanization levels, the government’s initiative on mega cities and the growing middle-income sector. This is the case in countries such as Myanmar and Cambodia as well. “So, the entire Asian region is becoming a large market. The demand for high rise buildings, apartments, shopping and mixed development complexes is increasing.

The reputed developers are keen on using quality products; this gives us the opportunity to expand our markets in Asia.”

In Sri Lanka Grundfos has also worked with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) and supported its capacity building projects. “We are looking at projects under Megapolis and Colombo Flood Control projects and discussions in this regard are underway.

Besides we are also looking for utility partners in Sri Lanka,” Grundfos Asia Pacific Regional Director, Business and Product Portfolio-Water Utility, Tan Chee Meng said.

Most efficient motors

In January Grundfos introduced to the Asia Pacific market, one of the world’s most efficient motors known as New generation Grundfos MGE motors – from 0.25 kW to 11 kW.

Achieving the highest efficiency level available for electrical motors in the market today, these MGE IE5 motors will enable Grundfos pumps to reach 10 per cent in energy savings and 25 per cent in payback time, as compared to the IE3 solution, a company official said.

Reaching IE5 in efficiency means that businesses, residences and industrial players will not only meet but exceed IE3 premium efficiency legislative standards set worldwide, including the European Union, the US, and Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Australia and China in Asia Pacific Region. To align with international standards, minimum energy performance standards for industrial motors in Singapore will be set at IE3 level from October 1, 2018. The company’s new MGE motors are a result of its continuous development efforts and extensive experience in the pumps sector. They perform to the highest standards and they have been awarded IE5, the highest energy efficiency rating worldwide,” a factory official said.

The new IE5 classified MGE-motors have a wide range of applications in industrial and commercial building sectors making them the ideal solution-of-choice for businesses in the thriving markets of the Asia Pacific.

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