Thompson Pump was founded in Port Orange, Florida in 1970 by George A. Thompson and his sons Bill and George M. At the time of its inception, George A. had been working as an operating engineer in NASA's Apollo programme; his son Bill had just finished college; and his younger son George M. had recently completed high school. Bill Thompson, president of Thompson Pump, recalls that the construction market in the Southeast was booming and there was a tremendous need for infrastructure.

From its humble beginnings as a dewatering contractor Thompson Pump soon turned its focus to making and selling the pumps it had been using as a dewatering subcontractor. The family's hard work, investment, creativity and ingenuity helped it grow from three employees to a thriving organisation that currently serves the pumping and dewatering needs of more than 6,000 national and international clients.

"We're living the American Dream! Reaching this milestone of 50 years is very gratifying for me, the entire Thompson family and the folks who stood side-by-side with us serving our customers and building our company," said Bill Thompson. "I wish my father, my brother and many of the fine individuals who played significant roles with us on this journey could be here to experience and celebrate this achievement with us, but I'm honoured to share this with my two sons, Chris and Bobby, who are helping lead the company into the future."

From the very beginning, Thompson Pump's product inventions and innovations positively changed the dewatering and bypass pumping landscape. By improving existing products and designs, developing new products to change how portable pumping is done, implementing techniques to speed up the lowering of groundwater, and working with companies to develop new piping products to make sewer bypass and hydraulic fracturing easier, more economical and more efficient, Thompson Pump has made a significant impact in the industry.

Thompson attributes the company's success to the family and the company's long-time employees - they are Thompson Pumps' most treasured assets. "In our logistics centre, we have a wall dedicated to displaying the photos of team members who have been with us for at least 25 years, some over 40 years. I refer to it as our ‘Wall of Honour'," Thompson said. "This longevity symbolises the high value our family places on the fine people who have supported our company in many different capacities for a very long time. Their contributions to our success cannot be overstated."

As for the next 50 years, Thompson says the company is refocusing on the design, development and manufacturing of new products. He says he sees Thompson Pump and Manufacturing Company continuing as a leader in the industry, with the family's third generation at the helm.

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