EXHIBIT 32.1


                          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 ended March 31, 2005, as filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I,
Ross J. Centanni, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, certify, to the best of my knowledge, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, 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.


                                            /s/ Ross J. Centanni
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            Ross J. Centanni
                                            Chairman, President and
                                            Chief Executive Officer
                                            Gardner Denver, Inc.
                                            May 10, 2005