Danfoss is 75 and growing with China

"Danfoss has made a major, long-term commitment to China and to its sustainable economic growth. We are proud to make China our second home market," said President of Danfoss China Mogens Terp Paulsen.

The maker of energy saving mechanical and electronic components is celebrating the 75th anniversary worldwide as it continues to develop in the world's most populous country.

Danfoss is one of the largest industrial companies in Denmark and a leader in research and development (R&D), production, sales and service for its equipment that serves a number of sectors.

The industrial giant has three main divisions - refrigeration and air conditioning, heating and motion controls - each a leader in its field.

In 2007 China became Danfoss' fourth-largest market, up from the eighth in 2006. The group's workforce in China is now its second-largest worldwide.

It began operations in China in 1994 and now has 11 offices and five factories in the nation with more than 2,600 employees.

Social responsibility

"As a leading global company based in Europe, we are proud to make China our second home market," Paulsen said. "We have become a Chinese company in every sense of the word - abiding by all local legal and regulatory requirements, paying taxes and sponsoring a number of socially responsible programs."

Efficient consumption of raw materials and energy and the least possible impact on their surroundings are what many big companies now seek to reach their goals in the global market.

"A central element in Danfoss' environmental policy for many years has been that the group aims to be ranked among the environmental leaders," Paulsen said.

"This is achieved by restricting the use of materials or processes that may pose a risk to people and the environment. Global environmental targets and environmentally friendly technologies are also part of our annual report."

Danfoss has joined the UN's Global Compact Initiative that has 10 principles for good company ethics. "The principles are used as a framework for reporting Danfoss' social and environmental responsibility," he added.

Opportunities

"Our employees are key to the partnership of Denmark and China, I feel so lucky to have well-educated and competent employees within Danfoss China," Paulsen said.

The group offers opportunities for its employees to work in other countries because it believes understanding diverse cultures is crucial to communication.

The company also offers a wide range of opportunities for professional and personal advancement, including sending selected employees to Denmark for training every year.

Danfoss also believes that art, design and architecture are another form of communication, so the group sponsors creation of original works of art to manifest its identity.

The effort began in 2006 when a group of employees met with only one item on the agenda - finding something other than products to put in the empty showcases in the staircase tower at Danfoss headquarters.

The Danfoss Art Award was then created to encourage a dialog about its core values and identity. In 2007 the group held an international competition for students of art, architecture and design to interpret those values.

Danfoss China's Automatic Control division now funds a 50,000 yuan R&D scholarship at the Institute of Laser Engineering of Beijing University of Technology.

(China Daily 06/05/2008 page17)