The shared ambitions of Grundfos and Colubris in sustainable water management
The collaboration between Grundfos and Colubris goes back decades. What once began with Alldos, which was acquired by Grundfos in 2006, has grown into a lasting relationship between two companies that connect well in the areas of water technology, quality and innovation. For Colubris, Grundfos is an important supplier of, amongst other things, dosing technology, pressure-boosting systems and associated components. But anyone who speaks with Erwin Dongstra of Grundfos and Erwin Geessinck of Colubris quickly notices that their partnership goes beyond products alone.
“If I had to describe our collaboration, I would call it constructive, clear and based on mutual appreciation,” says Erwin Dongstra, Sales Development Manager at Grundfos. “Communication is direct. You quickly understand what is at stake, even in difficult situations. I value that enormously.”
This way of working fits Colubris well. “We want to build long-term relationships with suppliers,” says Erwin Geessinck, Manager Purchasing & Logistics. “Relationships based on quality, trust and clear agreements. Of course, situations sometimes develop differently than expected. That is when open and honest communication matters: how do you treat one another, and what agreements do you make?”
More than dosing pumps
On paper, Grundfos’ role seems straightforward: supplying dosing pumps and components for Colubris installations. In practice, that role is much broader. Grundfos contributes ideas on dosing systems, safety, valves and fittings, product selection and monitoring. Colubris then integrates this technology into complete installations for wastewater treatment and water reuse.
“The dosing pump is an important part of the skid,” says Geessinck. “But for a safe, accurate and reliable installation, it is equally important to look carefully at the valves, fittings and the overall configuration around the pump. That is where you make the difference, and where the real added value of our collaboration lies.”
"Communication is direct. You quickly understand what is at stake,
even in difficult situations. I value that enormously."
Erwin Dongstra | Grundfos
"Although a dosing system may be only a small physical component within a large water-treatment plant, its impact is significant. If the chemicals are not dosed correctly, the treatment plant comes to a standstill—and so does the customer’s process,” Geessinck explains. “It is one of the gears that keeps everything running. Especially when working with chemicals, it must be safe, reliable and simply work.”
That is why the technology has evolved considerably in recent years. Where simple skids with separate pumps were once used, Colubris now increasingly works with complete dosing cabinets equipped with leak detection, safety features and digital dosing pumps. Grundfos supplies not only the pump, but also the expertise needed to apply it properly and safely.
Sharing knowledge
Knowledge transfer is an important part of the collaboration. Colubris engineers need to be able to respond quickly to technical questions. Grundfos supports them with product knowledge and advice on the right application. This knowledge sharing is increasingly taking shape through online training courses from the Grundfos ECADEMY and webinars, for example, Dongstra recently hosted a webinar on the new Grundfos DDA dosing pump.
There are also plenty of opportunities within the Colubris Academy for training courses and masterclasses on dosing technology, connectivity and new innovations. “Grundfos is set to make major progress in dosing technology over the coming years. When our engineers are fully familiar with the new developments, they can move faster and the design can be finalized sooner,” says Geessinck. “That makes the collaboration future-proof.”
Sustainability as a shared ambition
Sustainability is an important driver for both companies. This is not only about energy-efficient technology, but also about long-term relationships, knowledge development and the responsible use of water and resources.
“Colubris and Grundfos meet at the intersection of water reuse, circularity and efficient industrial water management,” says Dongstra. “Particularly in complex industrial and agri-food processes, we can work together to reduce energy and chemical consumption while improving process reliability.”
“Although a dosing system may be only a small physical component within
a water-treatment plant, it’s impact is significant”
Erwin Geessinck | Colubris
Geessinck also sees sustainability reflected in the way Grundfos operates as a supplier. “We take this into account in our supplier evaluations. Grundfos really has it well organized. You see that with very few other companies in this way.”
For end users, the collaboration results in reliable installations, greater safety, less downtime and, where possible, lower operating costs. Grundfos’ global presence is also valuable, particularly in international projects. Parts and service are available locally, which is important when an installation is operating far from the Netherlands.
Continuing to develop together
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The partnership continues to evolve. Digitalisation, monitoring and smart dosing technology offer new opportunities to make processes more transparent and efficient. At the same time, customer needs remain the guiding principle: not every project requires the most extensive solution, but every project does require the solution that fits best.
The foundation is already in place: a relationship in which both companies know one another and are willing to challenge each other in order to serve the customer even better. Dongstra summarizes it well: “Together, we solve complex challenges while making a tangible contribution to a cleaner and more sustainable world.”
About Grundfos
Grundfos is a global specialist in pumps and water solutions. The Danish company was founded in 1945 and now employs 21,000 people in more than 60 countries.
For more information, visit
grundfos.com.