Jens Dallendoerfer, CEO of Wilo, takes us on a deep dive into the innovative world of water management, unveiling the cutting-edge solutions that are transforming efficiency, sustainability, and smart technology in the industry
Wilo Group has a long history in the pump industry. What key milestones have shaped its growth and success?
For over 150 years, Wilo Group has been at the forefront of innovation in the pump industry, shaping how water moves worldwide. It all started in 1872 when Louis Opländer founded a small copper and brass goods factory in Dortmund, Germany. By 1928, Wilo had already made its mark with the world’s first circulation accelerator for heating systems, paving the way for its journey into pump manufacturing. Over the decades, the company continued to push boundaries—launching the first glandless circulator pump in 1965 and introducing the world’s first electronically controlled high-efficiency pump in 1988, setting new standards for energy savings. Recognised in 2021 as one of the “50 Sustainability & Climate Leaders” worldwide, Wilo celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2022, reaffirming its dedication to innovation and environmental responsibility. Today, the company continues to invest in hydrogen technology, smart water solutions, and digitalisation, ensuring it remains a global leader in water management for generations to come.
Sustainability is a significant focus for Wilo. What initiatives are in place to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in your projects?
Wilo Group is shaping a more sustainable future with smart, energy-efficient pump solutions and a strong commitment to innovation. Its high-efficiency pumps, like the Stratos MAXO, use cutting-edge IE5 motor technology to lower energy consumption and improve performance. The company is also taking bold steps toward CO₂-neutral operations, with its Dortmund Smart Factory running on energy-efficient processes and a goal to achieve carbon-neutral production by 2025. Wilo’s smart water solutions help reduce water loss and optimise treatment systems for more excellent water and wastewater management sustainability. Looking ahead, Wilo is investing in renewable energy, exploring hydrogen-powered solutions through its H2Powerplant concept, and developing solar and hybrid pumps to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Through these innovations, Wilo continues to lead the way in creating smarter, greener solutions for a more sustainable world.
With infrastructure projects booming in the region, how is Wilo supporting large-scale construction developments with its water management solutions?
As infrastructure projects expand across the Middle East, Wilo plays a key role in ensuring efficient and sustainable water management solutions for large-scale developments. With a strong regional presence, Wilo provides high-performance, energy-efficient pumps tailored for commercial buildings, smart cities, and mega projects.
One of Wilo’s main contributions is in HVAC, water supply, and wastewater management. It offers advanced pump systems to optimise water distribution and enhance cooling efficiency. These solutions are particularly critical for district cooling systems, which are widely used across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar.
Wilo also focuses on digitalisation and smart infrastructure, integrating remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, and automated controls through Wilo-Smart Connect. This technology ensures peak efficiency in water systems, meeting the growing demands of urban environments.
By partnering with government entities and expanding local production, Wilo strengthens its contribution to regional sustainability goals. The Wilo factory in Saudi Arabia, operational since 2023, provides locally assembled, high-efficiency pump systems, aligning with Vision 2030 and advancing future-ready water infrastructure.
Smart cities and green buildings are shaping modern construction. How does Wilo’s technology contribute to more sustainable and intelligent infrastructure projects?
Pumps consume approximately ten percent of the world’s electricity, and many outdated systems are still in use in urban areas. The latest high-efficiency Wilo products offer significant energy savings and promote the responsible use of water resources.
Wilo is shaping the future of Smart Urban Areas with intelligent pumps, digital services, and advanced urban water management solutions. The company is redefining sustainable infrastructure from the Wilo-Stratos MAXO to plug-and-play sensors and urban air filtration. By combining smart technology with sustainability, Wilo is leading the way in creating greener, more efficient.
What are the biggest challenges in water management for the construction sector, and how is Wilo addressing them?
Water management is a major challenge in the construction sector, especially as cities grow and demand increases. Water scarcity puts pressure on urban projects, but Wilo eases the strain with high-efficiency pumps for desalination, wastewater recycling, and smart irrigation systems.
Energy costs are another major concern, particularly in water distribution and HVAC systems. Wilo’s smart pumps, IE5 motor technology, and variable-speed drives help reduce power consumption and expenses. Reliability is key for large-scale projects, and with predictive maintenance, remote monitoring through Wilo-Smart Connect, and AI-driven diagnostics, downtime is minimised.
As cities expand and smart urban solutions become essential, Wilo leads the way with decentralised pumping stations, digital water networks, and IoT-enabled technologies, making water management more efficient than ever.
Looking ahead, what key trends and innovations do you see shaping the future of the pump and water management industry?
The digitalisation of water management is transforming the industry, with bright pumps and IoT-enabled systems becoming the standard. Advanced technologies like Wilo-Smart Connect allow real-time monitoring, remote operation, and predictive maintenance, optimising energy efficiency and reducing downtime. AI and big data analytics further enhance performance, ensuring precise water distribution and forecasting.
Energy efficiency and sustainability remain top priorities, with IE5 motors and variable-speed drives significantly lowering power consumption. Smart wastewater recycling solutions enable efficient water reuse, reduce waste, and support sustainable development.
With climate change driving extreme weather events, resilient infrastructure is more critical than ever. Wilo is investing in flood control and drainage solutions, while smart water networks equipped with automated leak detection and self-adjusting pumps are improving municipal water efficiency and ensuring a reliable water supply even in unpredictable conditions.
