Pump manufacturer Wilo to increase resources in central, western region

Wilo SE, one of the world's major pump manufacturers by revenue, will deploy more resources and manpower in China to pursue growth drivers in urban infrastructure, thus joining in the country's efforts in saving energy and improving the environment.

The opportunities come from China's efforts to efficiently use its water resources, especially in the country's vast western and central regions, as well as surging demand for high-efficient solutions for water sewage disposal and treatment, for industries including underground mining, the power industry, metals, and private and commercial building services.

John Chong, chairman of Wilo China Ltd, said the company will promote the new development model of "sponge cities" to further develop a new segment market in the world's second-largest economy.

In a sponge city, companies or individuals collect water from rain or drainage systems to reuse for everyday tasks, such as washing cars, flushing toilets and gardening.

"For Wilo, we are here in China to support the national policy on promoting efficient use of energy and environmental protection," said Chong, who is also group vice-president of Wilo Global PBU Water Transfer. "The sewage system will drain water quickly and guide it to collection facilities for recycling."

Wilo produces pumps that are used in a wide range of functions, such as pumping water from wells for water-cooling and fuel injection in the automobile sector and for pumping oil and natural gas in operating cooling towers in the energy industry.

Eager to enhance its foothold, the German company plans expansion in central and western China and build a strong presence in these regions. It has already established two branch offices in Chongqing municipality and Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

Thanks to its cutting-edge technologies and China's huge market demand, Wilo's sales revenue hit a record 950 million yuan ($149 million) in 2014. This figure is expected to reach 1 billion yuan this year.

Sun Fuquan, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology for Development in Beijing, said the populations of many of China's second-and third-tier cities in central and western regions are much larger than in other major cities of the world.

Therefore, improving infrastructure facilities and providing high-end pumping products are practical ways of keeping up with the process of urbanization and optimizing the nation's manufacturing structure.

"Under such circumstances, high-end German products and related investment obviously can add to prosperity - and both will benefit the economy and the environment in the long term," Sun said.

Founded in 1872 with its headquarters in Dortmund, Germany, the company is one of the leading manufacturers of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management and industry. Wilo is represented by more than 70 subsidiaries around the world and employs more than 7,000 people worldwide.

Having entered China in 1995, Wilo's local business is an important subsidiary of the group. It currently has 14 branches in China with 800 employees.