Facts about the Pumping Industry in Australia

Australia counts a vast number of companies that manufacture pumps and a few hundred that are importing, reselling, and supplying the product to the appropriate industry. The pump industry was kick-started in 1875 with the gold rush happening in Victoria when most of the alluvial gold mining was undertaken with reciprocating and centrifugal pumps.

Users of industrial pumps are very demanding, pump suppliers, therefore, need to be adaptable to changes, and because of the high level of competitiveness in the market, they need to provide only the best quality. Approximately 2500 people are working for pump producers and many more are employed as agents, distributors, as well as service men and people employed within the pump market itself.

ISO 9000 standard is a controlling body that ensures the design quality. Pumps created in Australia are, therefore, highly valued in the world’s marketplace and the productivity of Australian labourers, although arguably underpaid, is still top notch. The industry has become quite professional and sophisticated as well, due to the small market Australia has when compared to the world picture. This means the pump industry invested lots of money and effort to introduce the latest technology and innovations within their products.

The Foundry industry plays a role in the pump industry, since most pumps call for metal castings. In the early 1980s, Australia’s Foundry industry underwent a significant restructuring which, in turn, affected pump producers. Nowadays, many pump producers operate their own foundries outside of Australia.

Pump products are usually sold with regards to their use within a given industry. Chemical pumps, for example, are used primarily for moving the dangerous liquids and chemicals from one location to another. The performance of chemical pumps varies slightly and different types of this product are available according to buyer’s specific needs. Global Pumps, for example, provides a range of chemical pumps created specifically for moving dangerous liquids and chemicals. As mentioned, pumps are usually sold regarding their use and the company has a line of drum pumps for the industry. Drum pumps are light weight and handy for transfer of various sorts of liquids. Available in metallic and non-metallic versions with flows ranging to 200L/min, and available in electric, hand operated, and pneumatic models, drum pumps are safe and customizable with a few accessories such as dispensing nozzles and flowmeters.

The mining industry is one that requires pumps as well and mining pumps are not a rare product on the market. Mining pumps come in a range of materials as well. Slurry pumps, diaphragm pumps, magnetic drive pumps, centrifugal pumps, and self-priming pumps are all used within this industry. The difference depends on the application needed as well as the fluid being transferred.

Other industries that utilise industrial pumps include Food and Beverage companies (think wine pumps), and the Printing industry, particularly to transfer ink.