Group Chairman Niels Due Jensen honoured in Poland

The Officer’s Cross is a decoration for Mr. Due Jensen’s achievements in 10 years of partnership between Grundfos and Polish pump company LFP in Poznan.

The Polish President told Mr. Due Jensen that Grundfos’ achievements are one of the reasons why Poland is not afraid of entering the European Union. Mr. Kwasniewski congratulated Mr. Due Jensen on behalf of all LFP staff.

In his speech of thanks Mr. Due Jensen laid particular stress on the importance of partnership as a part of Grundfos’ corporate values. He said it is natural for Grundfos to operate with responsibility commercially as well as socially by showing respect for local values and cultures.

This is the third time the Polish Officer’s Cross is given to a foreigner.

Address by the president of the Republic of Poland, Mr. Aleksander Kwasniewski at the Ceremony of Decoration of Mr. Niels Due Jensen with the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland.

Warsaw, March 18, 2003


Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have an honour and pleasure to host in the presidential Palace Mr. Niels Due Jensen, a citizen of the Kingdom of Denmark and the President of the Board of the Grundfos Group, a person who made a remarkable contribution to the international economic co-operation.

But first and foremost, let me welcome you, Mr. President, as a friend of Poland. For more than ten years, you have been actively involved in modernisation of our economy. The most eloquent example thereof is a long-standing partners-like business relation of the Grundfos Group with the Leszno Pump Factory.

More than ten years ago, your license was granted to the factory. Four years later, thanks to your kindness, it could also avail itself of a substantial loan, which allowed it to modernise its production. At present, the factory is one of Poland’s top-modern companies. Once one of the greatest polluters in the Wielkopolska region, they now pride themselves in their systems which guarantee clean production.

In the international business community, you enjoy the opinion of a promoter of state of the art industrial technologies. Thanks to the innovative ideas developed in Grundfos laboratories, many technologically advanced solutions make every day life easier for millions of people, and the products bearing this trademark set world standards in heating, ventilation and airconditioning of households. Particularly imposing is the fact that under your stewardship a fairly small machine factory in Bjerringbro evolved into a global business covering 45 countries and employing several thousand workers.

On behalf of my compatriots, I would like once again to thank you for everything you have done for Poland and for her good name worldwide. Tangible proofs of your solidarity with our country are manifold. I view your noble initiatives as an embodiment of values which underpinned the construction of a united European family.

May the high state distinction conferred on you today be a token of our gratitude for your merits to Poland and the Poles. I wish all the best.