Grundfos Pumps Corp. has announced that it will create a new global business development “competency center” devoted to the residential ground water market at its North American headquarters in Kansas. Establishing this competency center is intended to complement the global production relocation to North America of the Grundfos ground water products (submersible motors (MS402) and submersible products (SQ/SQE/SQ Flex). Grundfos submersible pumps (SP) already are produced in Fresno, Calif.

The competency center will concentrate on business development and product development, which until now had been located at the parent company’s worldwide headquarters in Bjerringbro, Denmark. In addition, Grundfos will look to add additional engineering and business development resources for the submersible pump lines in Kansas.

With the recent relocation of production of the SQ/SQE/SQ Flex submersible pumps to Mexico, the establishment of a competency center in the United States was a “next logical next step for Grundfos”, according to Grundfos U.S. president Dennis Wierzbicki.

“Consistent lead times, a shorter supply chain and accelerated new-product development are the kinds of benefits that our distributors and dealers will gain with the creation of the competency center and North American production,” he continues. “Bringing our resources closer to our customers will help build value, while also enhancing Grundfos’ position as a leading manufacturer of residential ground water products.”

“This is a huge step in our continuing commitment to our North American customers,” says Jes Munk Hansen, Grundfos North America CEO, who adds, “The new competency center will also be global in its focus, servicing the company worldwide in the field of residential submersible pumps. The establishment of a global competency center in Kansas aligns very well with our efforts to globalize our business and product development organization, and is part of our corporate strategy of taking a global approach with local proximity.”