Vestergaard Frandsen

Vestergaard Frandsen is an international company specializing in complex emergency response and disease-control products. The company operates under a unique Humanitarian Entrepreneurship business model. This “profit for a purpose” approach has turned corporate social responsibility into its core business. Vestergaard Frandsen was founded in 1957 and has since evolved into a multinational leader focused on helping to achieve the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.

Vestergaard Frandsen develops innovative products and concepts that prevent the transmission of waterborne and vector-borne diseases in developing countries. We are especially interested in addressing a class of diseases called Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which kill many of the most vulnerable people on earth.

At Vestergaard Frandsen, we understand that the 90/10 principle is an important reminder of the inequality that exists in the world today. Currently, 90% of the world's 6.5 billion people have little or no access to the products or services that benefit the other 10%. Additionally, 90% of all design, innovation, and development are available to only the most fortunate 10%.

We strive to reduce this discrepancy by innovating directly for the developing world. And in doing so, Vestergaard Frandsen has managed to turn humanitarian responsibility into core business. Strong support of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly reducing child mortality and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases, is a defining characteristic of our company. In addition, we endeavor to dramatically reduce the number of people living without access to safe drinking water.

Turning commitment into action, we have developed several breakthrough brands: LifeStraw® and PermaNet®. These simple and easy-to-use tools require neither electricity, spare parts, nor any maintenance, yet have the potential to revolutionize the developing world as we know it, fighting preventable diseases and putting an end to the needless suffering of millions.

• LifeStraw® Personal and LifeStraw® Family provide instant microbiological water filtration
• PermaNet® mosquito bed nets are insecticide-treated nets that remain effective after multiple washes and years of use.
• PermaNet® biodegradable bags disappear within 2 years, reducing and eliminating waste associated with product distribution
• Integrated Prevention Demonstration the largest-ever private sector campaign combining diarrhoea, malaria, and HIV/AIDS disease-control interventions

We are confident that our products and concepts can make a tremendous impact. It is therefore not only our responsibility, but our obligation to invest in making these goals a reality. Vestergaard Frandsen believes strongly that our work, and that of our partners, will some day afford all humanity the basic human rights so many of us currently lack.

Adapted with permission from the Vestergaard Frandsen website, February 2009.

For more information please visit www.vestergaard-frandsen.com.