Grundfos breaks ground on Brookshire facility Expanded facility to bring jobs to community

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Posted Thursday, September 24, 2020 3:36 pm

By R. Hans Miller | News Editor

Grundfos, a global water technology manufacturer, has broken ground on its new 45,000 square foot facility in Brookshire. The new facility will house Grundfos’ Amaricas Regional Center in the southwestern corner of Koomey Road and Highway 90 and is expected to provide a strategic advantage to the company.

“To better serve the market, the new Americas Regional Center will strengthen our proximity between important sales areas and production hubs in North and South America, while fostering creativity for innovative applications and solutions,” said Eric Boutot, Grundfos Americas vice president of regional operations.

The Brookshire Economic Development Corporation helped draw Grundfos to Brookshire to promote the city’s prosperity, BEDC representatives said at the organization’s annual conference last year.

Brookshire Mayor Darrell Branch said the city was excited to have the new Grundfos facility join the city, especially after how competitive the process was to get the sought-after manufacturer.

“The City of Brookshire welcomes with all the southern hospitality and diversity it is well known to represent, the Americas Regional Center of European-based Grundfos; its employees, unique brand and high-quality products,” Branch said.

Branch said in December 2020 when the Grundfos facility was first announced that he looked forward to the economic advantages Grundfos would provide to the city. The jobs and revenue brought to the city by the expanded plant should help the city prepare for the urban sprawl headed Brookshire’s way as Greater Houston continues to grow, he said.

Boutot said in a December 2020 interview that he expects the expansion to Grundfos’ Brookshire facility to bring about 90 positions to the area. Some of those positions will be new hires while others will transfer in. The location provides the pump manufacturer with easy access to skilled workers, he said, but also provides simple geographic advantages by its proximity to nearby ports and highway systems that help in distributing products once they are manufactured.

Of the positions brought to Brookshire, Boutot estimated eight to ten would be department heads, 20-30 middle managers and the remainder general employees.

Brookshire was also considered an ideal location because of its growth, said Dieter Sauer, Grondfos Americas regional managing director for the area.

“The city is rapidly growing with a fast economy and large talent pool. With the new Americas Regional Center and our strong market position, we expect to attract the competencies that will keep us in front of the industry,” Sauer said.

Waller County Judge Trey Duhon said he was happy Brookshire had been considered and he appreciated those who contributed to the project coming to Brookshire.

"When we found out that Grundfos was considering our community for their new Americas Regional Center, we were excited to say the least,” Duhon said. “It has been a pleasure getting to know them and learn about their amazing, industry-leading, business. I also want to take a moment and recognize Texas State Rep. Cecil Bell who was instrumental in bringing this opportunity to Waller County."

Grundfos representatives said the company is focused on sustainability and is working to help the world meet United Nations climate goals related to water and climate change.

According to documents provided by Grundfos, the company was founded in 1945 and owns 83 local sites around the world which manufacture more than 17 million pumps each year. The company has about 19,000 employees worldwide.

Boutot said he expects the plant’s expansion to bring significant growth to Brookshire – so much growth that Grundfos may sponsor development of a new high-end hotel to support business travelers coming to the plant.

Brookshire beat out Indianapolis, Indiana as the choice for Grundfos’ new regional headquarters.

Local leaders throughout Brookshire expressed appreciation for the opportunities they expect the plant to provide.

“This project will provide high quality employment opportunities in Brookshire and further our presence as an enviable location for companies. We appreciate the opportunity to have worked with Grundfos on this exciting project,” said Brookshire Mayor Pro Tem and EDC President Marilyn Vaughn.

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