Grundfos
Pumps unveiled its Water Technology Center,
a new facility for promoting innovative water research and developing
sustainable solutions, on Sept. 20 in Fresno,
Calif.
Niels Due
Jensen, Grundfos chairman and son of the company’s founder, cut the ribbon at
the official opening of the center, which offers a space for government,
academic institutions and start-ups to share and gather information on
irrigation, water monitoring, wastewater treatment and other water technology.
Ashley
Swearengin, mayor of Fresno,
applauded Grundfos’ investment in the city.
“Thanks to
innovative companies such as Grundfos, Fresno
sets the standard in water technology throughout the world,” Swearengin said.
“With its new water technology center, Grundfos is further investing in
commercializing new water technologies that can benefit our entire region.”
To promote
innovation in the water industry, the center also will partner with groups like
the International Center for Water Technology at Fresno State
University, Central
Valley Business Incubator and companies like Climate Minder and Aquacue.
Architect
John Picard, renowned expert in building efficiency, said when it comes to
water and sustainability, “Grundfos is the company I will work with into the
future of protecting that resource.”
He said
Grundfos “gets it” when it comes to the future of water.
“Their
vision and their commitment is what we need to sustain water in this world,”
Picard said.
The center
will offer research entities access to Grundfos resources, helping to catalyze
solutions to water scarcity challenges. It will function as a hub for linking
research with business development.
The
ceremony also featured addresses from head of the Water Technology Center
Henrik Skov Laursen, Central Valley
Business Incubator CEO Kirk Nagamine and William Covino, provost of California
State University, Fresno.