The story of Danfoss dates back to September 1, 1933, when Mads Clausen founded Danfoss in his parents’ farmhouse in Nordborg, Denmark.
Since then, the business has grown from a single business to become one of the world’s leading suppliers of innovative and energy-efficient solutions that increase machine productivity, reduce emissions, lower energy consumption, and enable electrification.
Danfoss serves a myriad of sectors including: water and wastewater ,marine, mobile hydraulics, district energy, residential and commercial buildings, automotive among others.
In 1992, the company extended its footprint by registering in South Africa. And with 2000 strong staff spread across major markets in the world, Danfoss is truly global.
Yet, the success story of Danfoss is more than just footprints.
First, at the core of the company is customer satisfaction. It is a culture that started at Mads Clausen’s very first inventions-from the thermostatic expansion valve for refrigeration systems, to one of the world’s first radiator thermostats for regulating heating, to the world’s first mass-produced frequency converters, all the way to today’s telematics used for precision farming, all the way to breakthrough technologies driving the green transition.
Secondly, at Danfoss sustainability is at the centre of what they do.
“It is our ambition to become our customers’ preferred partner in decarbonisation and create long-term value for all our stakeholders: customers, employees, shareholders, and partners,” says Mads Clausen the grandson of the founder and also a Member of the Board of Directors at Danfoss A/S).
“By combining sustainable innovation and leading application know-how, we play a significant role in the green transition by supporting our customers in their decarbonisation journey. At the same time, we continue our own journey. We focus on the longer view and follow in the footsteps of our founder, investing in developing markets and technologies.”
Danfoss believes that the greenest energy is the energy we do not use. So, getting more out of less is what the world needs now more than ever. An “energy efficiency first” principle is instrumental to help the world succeed in meeting global climate and energy goals.
So, Danfoss endeavours to invent solutions for customers to enable decarbonisation in an intelligent, cost-optimal manner and ensure carbon neutrality in our operations. It is part of a major plan by the company to become carbon-neutral in our global operations by 2030.
Danfoss is currently at LIGNA 2023 in Hannover, Germany to showcase the advantages of using high-pressure water mist within the sawmill industry.
The company notes that without water mist, lumber drying can be inconsistent and slow, unhealthy dust levels can harm employee safety, and non-lubricated sawmill blades can result in downtime.
Danfoss popular NWC power pack uses water mist to solve these problems, all while optimizing productivity and minimizing waste in sawmill processes.
Also on show are the high-quality valves and nozzles that the company manufacturers and which can be incorporated into existing systems.
Later in May Danfoss will be at the European Desalination Society 2023 conference to showcase their technologies that can be used in Sea Water Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) Plants.
One of the products that the company intends to display is the motor-controlled MPE 70 which safely operates at variable and maximum flow rates and reduces membrane feed salinity.
“Our 2030 ESG ambition shapes a bold direction for Danfoss that enables us to become our customers’ preferred decarbonization partner,” observes Clausen.
An important milestone to this end is their approved Science-based target which expands their greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals beyond their own business, across the entire value chain.
And with this enormous yet noble journey, Danfoss hopes to capitalise on its experience staff. The company will also seek to improve employee experience to attract and retain talented people that can lead the green transition.
Recent surveys have identified industry, transport and buildings as the greatest emitters of carbons and Danfos pride itself as having one of the world’s strongest portfolios of components crucial to decarbonizing the sectors.
Looking ahead, Danfoss will be banking on their new 2030 ESG ambition to help shape a bold direction for the company that would enable them to become customers’ preferred decarbonisation partner.
ESG ambition on a strong foundation
For this reason, the company has established a solid ESG Governance and accountability structure to help revitalize the plan.
The ultimate accountability of the ESG targets lies with the Group Executive Team who provide strategic guidance and approve targets. The key driver of the ESG agenda in the organization is the ESG Leadership Team with representatives from various corporate functions and segments. The team decides on initiatives and milestones for the ESG ambition execution, oversees the implementation of targets and aligns cross-functional processes and communication.
Danfoss impact on the Sustainable Development Goals
And their impact on the SDGs is two-fold. First, Danfoss is meeting many of the world’s climate, urbanization, and food challenges with proven and reliable solutions. Driven by the power of an electrified society, and fuelled by the opportunities of going digital, Danfoss is dedicated to engineering solutions that can unleash the potential of tomorrow.
Secondly, their contribution to the SDGs is realised through Danfoss business activities and the effort of aligning their business practices with current environmental and societal challenges.
For Danfoss as a leader in technology and innovation, the SDGs create good business opportunities and generate space to make a positive impact in the surrounding societies.
“This way, we support and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
