Wilo Group: The Powerhouse Redefining Smart Water Systems Across the Globe

German engineering giant expands its footprint in Africa and beyond, driving innovation, sustainability, and smart water access across continents

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Wilo Group, a global leader in pumps and water management systems, continues to set the pace in sustainable water technology and smart infrastructure. With operations in over 90 countries and more than 9,000 employees, the German-headquartered powerhouse is redefining how the world manages water, combining innovation, intelligence, and impact.

Founded in 1872 as a modest copper and brassware workshop, Wilo’s evolution into a billion-euro global enterprise is a testament to its resilience, technical excellence, and environmental consciousness. Today, the company produces up to 10 million pumps annually, powered by advanced facilities like its award-winning Smart Factory in Dortmund, which stands as a model for modern, digitalized manufacturing.

Driving Global Innovation and Sustainability

Wilo’s success story is driven by innovation with purpose. The company remains committed to addressing the world’s toughest challenges, water scarcity, energy efficiency, and climate change, through technology and sustainability.

Since 2020, Wilo has cut its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 51%, while expanding circular economy programs that recycle thousands of kilograms of used pumps every year. Its achievements have earned it multiple honors, including the German Sustainability Award and EcoVadis Platinum certification, recognizing Wilo as one of Europe’s most sustainable industrial brands.

Its cutting-edge solutions, such as the Wilo-Actun Zetos for deep well extraction and the Wilo-Padus Pro for wastewater management, are merging durability with AI-driven smart control systems, making water infrastructures across industries more efficient and connected than ever before.

Expanding Global Reach with Local Impact

Under its “region-for-region” strategy, Wilo ensures that its products and operations serve regional needs while maintaining global quality standards. With major facilities in Germany, France, India, China, South Korea, Turkey, the UAE, the USA, and Kenya, the company continues to localize impact through manufacturing, training, and community partnerships.

In 2023, Wilo achieved a milestone in East Africa with the launch of the region’s largest water pump assembly plant in Nairobi, Kenya. The site also hosts a Wilo Academy and a training partnership with the Kenya Water Institute (KEWI), empowering local engineers and strengthening the continent’s technical workforce.

Across Africa, Wilo’s presence is growing rapidly:

  • In Nigeria, through Wilo Pumps Nigeria Limited (established in 2013), the company has delivered critical water infrastructure, including the World Bank-sponsored Ekiti State Water Sector Reform Project, where 17 vertical turbine pumps were installed to improve water supply for thousands of residents.
    Wilo also contributes to Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, Africa’s futuristic smart city, by providing advanced pumping systems for sustainable urban water management. Its Lagos office now serves as a hub for sales, maintenance, and digital water monitoring solutions, driving local capacity and innovation.
  • In Senegal, Wilo and Africa GreenTec launched an ImpactSite® in N’diob to deliver solar-powered water, energy, and irrigation systems that support food security.
  • In Mozambique, its “Mati Mati” pilot project leverages solar wells and smart metering to provide sustainable water access in drought-hit communities.
  • In Egypt, Wilo supports the Toshka irrigation project, pumping water from Lake Nasser to revive thousands of hectares of farmland.

Beyond Africa, Wilo continues to invest in its Kesurdi plant in India, climate-neutral operations in China’s Changzhou, and its French facilities focused on embedded pump systems, all while promoting workforce diversity, inclusion, and continuous skill development.

Financial Strength and Strategic Vision

Despite global market pressures, Wilo remains a model of financial strength and strategic foresight. In 2024, the company achieved €1.89 billion in net sales and invested over €70 million in research and development, reinforcing its dedication to long-term sustainability and digital transformation.

“Wilo seeks not just to build systems, but to build communities,” said Oliver Hermes, President and CEO of Wilo Group. “Our mission is to provide intelligent, sustainable, and locally relevant solutions that ensure access to clean water and energy for generations to come.”

Looking ahead, Wilo is doubling down on AI-driven technologies, data-centric control systems, and eco-conscious design, setting the stage for a new era of smart water management.

Also Read: OBI Strengthens Position as Europe’s Leading DIY Retailer with Expansive Services and Sustainable Innovation

A Legacy That Flows Beyond Borders

From a small German workshop to a global industrial powerhouse, Wilo Group’s journey embodies vision, innovation, and purpose. Its expanding influence, from Europe to Africa and Asia, continues to inspire a future where technology meets sustainability to move the world forward, one drop at a time.

About Wilo Group

Wilo Group is one of the world’s leading premium suppliers of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management, and industry. Headquartered in Dortmund, Germany, the company operates in over 90 countries with a workforce of more than 9,000 employees. Through its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility, Wilo is shaping the future of smart water systems across the globe.

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