Tell us about the business.
Australian Pump Industries, better known as Aussie Pumps, started in a backyard shed over 31 years ago. From those humble beginnings, we’ve grown into one of Australia’s leading manufacturers of high-pressure cleaning equipment and self-priming centrifugal pumps. We are proudly 100% Australian owned and operated. Our mission has always been simple build better products to serve Australian industry, agriculture and emergency services.
Our solutions are based on market research and the very simple philosophy of putting ourselves in the place of the user of the product. Aussie’s customer-driven philosophy, combined with innovation and a commitment to quality, has helped us grow not only in Australia, but in export markets all over the world.
How many people work for the business?
We have a team of sixty hardworking, passionate people. Each of them plays a vital role in the success of the business, from engineering and manufacturing to sales and marketing.
What is a typical day at ‘The office’?
Every day at Aussie Pumps revolves around building and designing products of the highest quality and durability. We want to help solve real-world problems, from fighting fires, shifting floodwaters, or making life easier for tradies.
What are the biggest challenges facing your business?
One of the biggest challenges is competing with inferior, imported products. It can be a challenge educating customers about the long-term value of Australian made high-quality equipment compared to “budget” alternatives that often fail under pressure, but we won’t cut corners!
What are the biggest opportunities for your business right now?
Our biggest opportunity was developing the Aussie Mine Boss range. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill pumps, they are tough, reliable and have integrated lifting bars.
Aussie’s Mine Boss trash pumps start with compact 2” units, powered by Yanmar L48 diesel engine. They offer big high SG cast iron impellers with open passages that allow the easy movement of solids in suspension. Bigger pumps like the QP40T Mine Boss is powered by a 10 hp Yanmar electric start diesel engine and has the ability to move 1600 litres per minute. The Mine Boss range extends to big 6,000 lpm heavy duty trash pumps that are capable of providing first class flood mitigation protection.
What is the business most proud of?
Aussie Pumps are passionate about drought proofing this wonderful country. Over the years, we have campaigned during droughts, floods and bushfires to help Australians in regional areas to face those challenges. Aussie Pumps is front line in helping local government, emergency services and firefighting volunteers.
The company has invested heavily in the design of world class high pressure engine drive firefighting pumps as well as further developing the trash pump range. The big 6” pumps are currently redirecting the Nile River around the city of Juba. There are 26 of these big pumps working away there providing 156,000 litres per minute.
Community and other causes close to its hearts and values?
Aussie Pumps are proud supporters of the Rural Fire Service and the SES. Working with the brigades inspires the company to keep producing better and more advanced equipment.
Any employees that deserve a shout out?
A lot of the credit for Australian Pump’s 30 year growth is to do with the attitude of the engineering department. The company has the end user in mind, with designs built around making jobs done faster, more efficiently and safer. The Chief Engineer has a sign in his office that is the inspiration of the company that says, “we design and build machines as if we are going to use them ourselves”.
Image caption: Supplier: Shout out to Aussie’s Chief Engineer John Hales.
