AmCham Denmark’s 2011 Trans Atlantic Business Award has been awarded to Grundfos Pumps Corp. after being in close competition with TERMA, Danfoss, H.Lundbeck and Santaris Pharma. An independent jury has selected Grundfos for its impressive growth in investment and employment in the United States, its research in energy and eco-friendly solutions, and its significant contributions within in corporate social responsibility.

“Grundfos has made significant investments in both Denmark and the U.S., where it has been active since 1973, with production, product development and a growing market share of currently 7 percent. The company’s commitment to the U.S. is evidenced by its 1,200 employees and growth rates of 12-14 percent (crisis years excepted),” said Sten Scheibye who presented the award.

“The company excels in energy and eco-friendly solutions. It has founded a global water technology center in California with the universities of Berkeley, Davis and Fresno, and also is working on solar energy (with Purdue University). Its newly established department for global business development in Kansas will develop the global market for small submersible pumps.

“Grundfos is active in corporate social responsibility, sustainability and philanthropy. It has a policy of employing disabled persons (currently 4 percent of the workforce), regularly donates to U.S. charities, and seeks to promote sustainability through its products and production processes,” said Scheibye.

Accepting the award on behalf of Grundfos was Dennis Wierzbicki, president of Grundfos Pumps Corp. “Five years ago, Grundfos set an ambitious plan to grow in the United States and North American region as a whole,” Wierzbicki said. “Since then, we have invested in research and development; we have acquired three companies in the U.S., and added a long list of new products to the market. Winning this prize makes us proud, and it highlights both to ourselves, and to the world around us, that we are on the right course and a very solid company in the USA.

“Our ambitions are to make Grundfos the leading pump company in North America, and we are well underway with annual double digit growth rates. We will continue to invest in people, partnerships, technology and sustainability. To Grundfos, sustainability is the prerequisite for the sound growth we all want.”

The award was presented April 12 at AmCham Denmark’s annual reception held at H. Lundbeck in Valby.