Aurora, Ill. — Illinois state representatives Stephanie Kifowit (D-Aurora), Tom Morrison (R-Palatine) and Ron Sandack (R-Downers Grove) visited Grundfos’ campus in Aurora, Ill., today to tour the global pump manufacturer’s Water Utility Center, a warehouse and manufacturing facility devoted to the production, service and distribution of sophisticated technology for the municipal wastewater market.
Established in March 2012, the Center assembles a fully integrated team of professional experts in the municipal wastewater industry whose specialized skills include engineering, manufacturing, product sales and service, distribution, regulatory issues and equipment testing.
“Our Aurora facility is pivotal to Grundfos’ ambitions to become a leader in the North American municipal wastewater business,” said Mike Franzen, vice president of Operations. “In the coming years, we strive to greatly accelerate our revenues in this key segment. The recent addition of new product lines at our facility will result in additional opportunities for job creation and employee development.”
Grundfos’ Aurora campus, which employs about 80 people, was formerly the site of Yeomans Chicago Corporation, a prominent pump manufacturer acquired in 2008. Through the acquisition, Grundfos gained the invaluable regional expertise of a company whose roots go back more than a century in the Chicago area.
“Grundfos is a local example of how Illinois can create permanent local jobs through a unique market, which is in modernizing our water infrastructure in Illinois” Rep. Kifowit said. “As a member of the Economic Development Committee for the state, I am dedicated to work with companies, such as Grundfos, so that they have the opportunities to create new jobs and continue to be successful in Illinois.”
The state of Illinois has shown commitment to water infrastructure, most recently through a $1 billion Clean Water Initiative to upgrade water infrastructure across the state.
“As a member of both International Trade and Economic Development, I am encouraged to see companies such as Grundfos choose Illinois for their North American Headquarter,” Rep. Sandack said. “I hope to continue to work with Grundfos on upgrading our water infrastructure and revitalizing our manufacturing industry in Illinois.”
As an emerging and increasingly vital hub for the water industry, Illinois represents a major investment priority for the company. The area is at the center of the resurgent manufacturing sector surrounding the Great Lakes and has emerged as global leader in infrastructure modernization and sustainability.
In spite of the progress made by Gov. Pat Quinn’s Clean Water Initiative, however, there remains work to be done. Illinois infrastructure received a D+ from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2010. According to the study, Illinois infrastructure will require $15 billion in drinking water needs and $17.5 billion in wastewater needs over the next two decades.
Grundfos looks forward to working with legislators to ensure that the Clean Water Initiative continues to provide means for Illinois communities to invest in water infrastructure projects.
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