Grundfos, a global manufacturer in advanced pump solutions and water technologies, inaugurated the global headquarters (HQ) of its commercial building services (CBS) division in Singapore. The move followed the demand for resource-efficient solutions to foster a sustainable built environment in Singapore and the region, where almost 56% of ASEAN’s population will be urban by 2030.
Serving commercial buildings such as hotels, hospitals, office towers, airports, and data centres, Grundfos’ CBS division delivers water pump systems that serve various applications supporting the operation of these buildings, including air-conditioning, cooling, heating, fire protection, to wastewater and water disinfection.
A component of Grundfos’ relocation strategy will be the Singapore Innovation Hub, which aims to leverage local knowledge to pioneer solutions for energy-efficient commercial buildings. The facility will look to bring Grundfos’ R&D capabilities closer to customers and the market, as well as provide a platform for collaboration with industry partners, customers, and researchers to co-develop energy and water efficient smart solutions.
As part of developing the Singapore Innovation Hub, Grundfos has engaged in various feedback, steering and risk management efforts since March, following which the company will embark on developing innovation initiatives, establish governance structure, and discuss areas of collaboration with potential partners. All this will contribute towards a comprehensive working plan for the new Singapore Innovation Hub by Q3 of 2023.
Singapore’s location as the gateway to other ASEAN countries also allows Grundfos to work closely with customers in these markets and support their urbanisation needs.
Recent reports of climate change and rapid urbanisation has called for countries to examine their buildings’ environmental impact. The region’s building sector accounts for nearly a quarter of total energy consumption and energy-related carbon emissions, and this is still projected to grow by around 60% by 2030 and 120% by 2040. Space cooling is the fastest-growing use of energy in buildings globally and in ASEAN, according to International Energy Agency reports. Being a vulnerable region to climate change, the sector’s sustainability ambitions are high on the region’s agenda.
Its CEO said, “Locating our CBS HQ in the heart of Asia is part of our wider business strategy of operating as a truly global company.
“At Grundfos, we are committed to delivering on our net-zero targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) to ensure our growth is sustainable.”
Under the new CBS HQ, Grundfos will strengthen its talent pipeline to over 200 employees, by bringing in global expertise and the hiring of local talents. The company will also continue its efforts in collaborating with public and private players locally.
