Sulzer is expanding its domestic water business and has commissioned operations in Portland, Oregon, where it is assembling and testing large water pumps. Additionally, the company has expanded its manufacturing site in Easley, South Carolina. Below, Sulzer’s Flow Equipment Division President Jan Lueder explains how U.S. manufacture of critical pumps and water treatment equipment will provide additional employment in the local supply chain in support of the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
MPT: How is Sulzer’s push toward domestic manufacturing so important to both the company’s vision and the country?
Jan Lueder: Clean and affordable water is vital to physical well-being and is also crucial for industry, economic growth, hydropower, agriculture, and flood control—all growing concerns in the United States and worldwide. In support of planned water and wastewater infrastructure development in the United States, Sulzer is expanding its America-based water business, where it has committed to an additional CHF 10+ million for product manufacturing and testing.
MPT: How do the recent investments in Oregon and South Carolina fit into this plan?
Jan Lueder: Boasting one of the largest pump-testing basins in North America, the Portland facility signals Sulzer’s unwavering commitment to engineering excellence, reliability, and efficiency. Assembly at the Easley site will be extended with new product lines including high-efficiency wastewater pumps.
In tandem with the two facility expansions, Sulzer is also strategically strengthening its U.S. supply chain across its portfolio of U.S. assembled products to provide lead time improvements and comply with Build America Buy America (BABA) funding requirements.
MPT: Could you detail how these manufacturing goals align with BABA?
Jan Lueder: Sulzer is present in the U.S. market with over 2,000 employees across thirty-two locations. In addition to its broad range of leading Sulzer-branded products, some of its specialized water-related brands with U.S. presence and BABA-compliant products include Johnston pumps, JWC Environmental, and Nordic Water, all of which are also recognized leaders in their respective markets.
MPT: BABA couldn’t come at a better time for these investments.
Jan Lueder: We are always keen to invest in growth markets where we see clear demand for our products and services. These significant investments strengthen Sulzer’s position in the U.S. water industry and confirm our intent to continue driving transformative advancements in the water sector.
Sulzer is a global leader in critical applications for core infrastructure and processes for large essential industries around the world. Sulzer’s integrated solutions add significant value by enabling energy efficiency, carbon emissions and pollution reduction, and process efficiency improvements. Customers benefit from a commitment to innovation, performance, and quality through a responsive network of 160 world-class manufacturing facilities and service centers across the globe. For more information, visit www.sulzer.com.