125
Good Practice
Environment
Global Compact International Yearbook 2013
pumps at their maximum capacity at all
times both unnecessary and wasteful.
Grundfos’ intelligent pump solutions
regulate themselves to avoid this.
These energy-optimised pump solutions
exemplify Grundfos’ contribution toward
reductions in the use of industrial energy,
in that they are a proven technology, ac-
cessible to everyone, and available now.
Furthermore, most of these perform at a
level that surpasses current and upcom-
ing legislative requirements.
Ultimately, it’s just good business
Pernille Blach Hansen regards the success
of Grundfos and the welfare of the envi-
ronment and our society to be “mutually
reinforcing.” She says: “Fundamentally,
we believe that Grundfos and the societies
in which we operate are interdependent.
Successful companies need healthy socie-
ties, and healthy societies need success-
ful companies. Therefore, our business
decisions follow the principle of shared
value – value that benefit both sides.”
Pernille Blach Hansen believes more and
more companies are joining Grundfos
and realizing the long-term financial
benefits offered by sustainable initia-
tives. She says: “Earlier, sustainability
work was regarded as a marketing spend
by most companies – something you
ought to do. But today, more and more
realize that it is an area that offers the
benefit of both savings and a return on
investment.”
Eventually companiesmay no longer have
a choice. Environmentally-focused legis-
lation continues to tighten in response
to greater awareness and acceptance of
climate change. This means sustainable
initiatives are very much an investment
in the future.
For Grundfos, a company with a unique
capacity to make a real difference, sus-
tainability has become a company ethos.
It is an ethos that has enhanced rather
than hindered profitability, providing a
heartening example for companies that
still regard corporate social responsibility
as a forced expense rather than a viable
business model.
“
Our course is set,” concludes Pernille
Blach Hansen . “Our future as a company
is closely bound with the Principles of
the Global Compact and sustainable
practice. It is not only the responsible
thing to do, we believe this is the only
way to sustain successful business into
the future.”
Water2life – safe and clean drinking
water in the third world
There are currently 1 billion people in the world who lack access to safe, clean
water. Three million people, half of them under age five, die each year as a
consequence. This has spurred Grundfos to develop an employee program in
which its staff can donate money to the Water2Life scheme.
This is a collaborative effort in which Grundfos and its external partners pro-
vide sustainable water solutions for some of the world’s poorest communities.
These are based on Grundfos' own products and adapted to local conditions:
from Vietnam, where water is plentiful but undrinkable, to arid Kenya, where
Water2Life systems already make millions of liters of water available to
16,000
people. This initiative enables Grundfos employees to help poor people
gain access to one of the fundamentals of life – clean water.
Act NOW – a forum
for positive change
Grundfos is a founding member of ACT NOW, a partnership platform made up of
individuals from private, public, and nongovernmental organizations. It acts as
a corporate forum and network for the exchange of energy-efficiency ideas and
best practice examples. It also aims to generate awareness among commercial
decision-makers by making the most of its unique position as a business-driven
voice in the world of energy and climate initiatives.
About Grundfos
Established: 1945
Headquarters: Bjerringbro,
Denmark, represented in
50
+ countries
Employees: 18,000