New pump manufacturing facility for Grundfos

The official sod turning ceremony held on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 Standing left to right: Leon Labuschagne (Development Division, Growthpoint Properties); Estienne de Klerk (Executive Director, Growthpoint Properties); Carsten Bjerg (Group President/CEO Grundfos); Jonathan Hamp – Adams (General Manager, Grundfos Africa) and Engelbert Binedell (Industrial Division Head, Growthpoint Properties).

Custom developed for Grundfos by Growthpoint Properties Limited, the new building will span a significant 10,000 sqm, with expansion possibilities. The tailor-made structure comprises 2,500 sqm offices and 7,500 sqm high-tech, high spec warehousing for its South African business. It is expected to take occupation of its new facility in early 2013, on a long-term lease.

This transaction further cements the association between the two companies. Grundfos currently occupies a Growthpoint Properties office and warehouse building in Bedfordview. It operates in over 40 offices worldwide and has been in South Africa for the past 14 years. Grundfos South Africa is responsible for sales in 45 other African countries.

Green building

The new SA head office will also be a groundbreaking green building, applying sustainable development practices.

"Sustainable development is a key concept," says Jonathan Hamp-Adams, GM Grundfos Africa. "It is vital that our pumps display respect for the environment, especially energy consumption and use of materials. We expect the same of our production facilities. They should place as little strain as possible on our surroundings and the environment."

As one of South Africa's leaders in leasable green business space, Growthpoint Properties will develop an environmentally innovative facility, having already developed two of only 10 buildings in SA to receive Green Building Council of SA Green Star (GBCSA) certification. It leads the real estate sector in carbon disclosure in Africa and is part of the JSE's Socially Responsible Investment Index (SRI Index) for the third consecutive year for positive environmental, social and economic sustainability practices and corporate governance.

"The results of the company's strong push in energy-efficiency and green building will be applied in the new building - from design to construction and operation," says Growthpoint Properties industrial division head, Engelbert Binedell.

Demolition of the disused building on site will start in February 2012, with extensive recycling of materials for reuse in the development. The design and construction incorporate the best international standards, adapted to South African conditions - from orienting the building to energy-efficient lighting, motion sensors and rainwater harvesting.

"The intent is to develop a high tech industrial facility that is at the forefront of green building design and sustainability," says Leon Labuschagne of Growthpoint Properties Development Division. "It's important to the company to apply the sustainable design and create excellent functionality. It will incorporate the latest specifications in building design: flat floors, high-lift roller shutter doors, backup electricity supply and recreation and entertainment facilities."

Grundfos also contributed its specialist expertise to the building's design.

"In a continent like Africa where one of the major problems is access to clean drinking water, it is clear to see why the group's priority area is water supply," says Hamp-Adams. "Focus is also placed on commercial building services, industry and wastewater."

This focus will be applied to the building. It will feature solar driven pumps including the new CRflex booster pump and in-line circulators to save not only energy but water as well, this will be used to display its pumps in working conditions for customers to see.

"In developing our new centre of operations, we aim to be responsible, think ahead and innovate in the same way we strive to do all business," concludes Hamp-Adams.