Grundfos Pumps North America Presents Joseph M. DiFrancesco, III of Public Service Plumbers First Water Innovation Award

Grundfos, a global pump manufacturer with North American headquarters in Kansas City, Kans., is introducing the Water Innovation Award program in 2002. The awards will go to regional plumbing contractors and builders who recognize the importance of preserving our water resources and who have made effective, reliable, water- and energy-efficient solutions a core value in residential construction.

"Mr. DiFrancesco is a long-time leader in this market for building new homes with water-efficient facilities, including hot water recirculation systems, which reduce the water demand of an average home by thousands of gallons per year," said Hans Kircher, HVAC Segment Director for Grundfos.

The award will be formally presented by Mr. Kircher at the March 20 2002 meeting of the North Texas Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors meeting, to be held at Old San Francisco Steak House in Walnut Hill, 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. For information on attending the meeting, please contact Barbara Lochridge of the PHCC at 972-818-1990.

Forthcoming WIA Awards are expected in such rapidly growing markets as Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, N.C.

Mr. DiFrancesco has been a plumber in the Dallas market since 1979 and estimates that he has worked on thousands of residential construction and remodeling projects during that time. He is the primary plumbing contractor to Sebastian and Associates, Inc. John Sebastian or a representative of management for Sebastian & Associates Inc. is expected to introduce Mr. DiFrancesco at the PHCC meeting in March. Mr. John DiFrancesco, founder of Public Service Plumbers, Inc., has been serving the Metroplex since 1950.

Public Service Plumbing caters to larger residential projects, homes averaging more than 10,000 square feet.

"I would like to thank Grundfos for this recognition," said Mr. DiFrancesco. "I've worked with Grundfos' service representatives for many years because of their commitment to technical service and innovative pump technology. Improving water-efficiency in both new and existing homes is going to be critical to sustaining the growth of the Dallas area in coming years."

Grundfos invests five percent annually in research and development, approximately $50 million per year, as part of its charter.

Grundfos Pumps is a major supplier of circulators for residential hot water recirculation (HWR) systems, including the new Comfort Series Instant Hot Water System, which can be installed at low cost in existing homes - a first for any major pump supplier.

Hot water recirculation (HWR) delivers hot water on demand, saving the 2-3 gallons typically let down the drain waiting for hot water when a tap is opened. That savings adds to more than 30,000 gallons a year.

"Much of our technology is developed in Europe," Mr. Kircher added, "where water shortages have been common for generations. The United States is now getting to the point where it needs new solutions to reduce overall water consumption as much as Europe and we are pleased to be able to export such water-saving technology as HWR."

About Grundfos Pumps Corporation

Grundfos Pumps Corporation is a worldwide manufacturer of centrifugal pumps for residential, agricultural, environmental and commercial/industrial applications with 60 companies in 40 countries, employing over 11,000 employees worldwide. Its North American Regional Headquarters is located in Kansas City, Kansas, with a manufacturing and distribution center in Fresno, California and a distribution center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Outside of the USA, Grundfos Canada Inc. is situated in Oakville, Ontario, and Grundfos Mexico is situated in Monterrey, Mexico.

About Public Service Plumbers, Inc.

Public Service Plumbers, Inc., has during its fifty years in business built a reputation as the premier plumbing contractor for high-end residential construction and remodeling projects in the Park Cities and Preston Hollow Areas. The company installs some of the most innovative residential plumbing systems, including basements, wine cellars, and pier-and-beam installations. Public Service Plumbers, Inc., is located near the SMU campus at 5610 Dyer Street, Dallas, Texas 75206 and can be reached at 214-363-4477.