EXHIBIT 99.1

                          CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                           18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                           AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the quarterly report of Gardner Denver, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending March 31, 2003, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I,
Ross J. Centanni, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
that:

         (1)      The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      The information contained in the Report fairly presents,
                  in all material respects, the financial condition and
                  results of operations of the Company.



                                            By:  /s/ Ross J. Centanni
                                                 --------------------
                                            Ross J. Centanni
                                            Title:  Chairman, President & CEO
                                            Gardner Denver, Inc.
May 8, 2003