© PLSA 2011
Multinational
group Grundfos, one of the world’s leading pump manufacturers, will soon have a new R100
million state-of-the-art facility in South Africa.
Custom developed for Grundfos by
Growthpoint Properties Limited, the new building will span a significant
10,000sqm, with expansion possibilities. The tailor-made structure comprises
2,500sqm offices and 7,500sqm high-tech, high-spec warehousing for Grundfos’
South African business.
Grundfos is the world’s largest
manufacturer of circulator pumps, covering around 50% of the world market for
these pumps. It also produces other centrifugal pumps for industry, water
supply, waste water and dosing. Grundfos 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.
Growthpoint Properties is the largest South
African listed property company with property assets valued over R35 billion
found throughout South Africa. Its portfolio of over 460 properties provides
office, industrial and retail space to leading businesses. It’s industrial
property portfolio spans of over 2,2 million square metres across 239 properties
valued more than R7 billion.
This transaction further cements the
association between the two companies. Grundfos currently occupies a
Growthpoint Properties office and warehouse building in Bedfordview. It’s
expected to take occupation of its new facility in early 2013 on a long-term
lease.
Grundfos’ new facility will be
superbly located in Meadowbrook, Germiston – an established industrial node
that provides excellent access to transport arterials and electricity.
Warehousing and offices will be consolidated in a single property at the new
facility. This strategic move provides many benefits for Grundfos, including
improved productivity and cost savings.
Grundfos’s new SA head office will
also be a groundbreaking green building, applying sustainable development
practices.
“Sustainable development is a key
concept at Grundfos,” says Jonathan Hamp-Adams, General
Manager 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.”
Growthpoint Properties, SA’s leader in leasable
green business space, will develop an environmentally-innovative facility for
Grundfos. Growthpoint has developed two of only
10 buildings in SA to receive Green Building Council of SA Green Star (GBCSA)
certification so far. It also leads the real estate sector in carbon disclosure in Africa. It’s also
in 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 Growthpoint Properties’ strong push in energy-efficiency
and green building will be applied at Grundfos’ 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 Growthpoint 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,
as well as 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 Grundfos 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 Grundfos’ own 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 showcase their pumps in real
working conditions for customers to see pumps at work.
“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,” says Hamp-Adams.
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