Water Well Journal

May 2015

Water Well Journal

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T he water well pump industry continues to hum along. This despite each pump manufacturer facing unique challenges; issues such as quality, price, and energy; and automation of their products. This month, three water well pump manufacturer represen- tatives share their biggest concerns, how they've adapted to a changing industry and economy, drought conditions in parts of the United States, and what they're hearing most from their customers. Water Well Journal: How's business been for you so far this year? Brian Daschner: Business has been good. We have been experiencing a slow beginning in the Midwest and southern agriculture markets due to weather and low commodity prices. DeLancey (Dee) W. Davis: It's difficult to gauge business conditions early in the year, but our residential, light commer- cial business has had a strong start in the United States and Canada. We've had terrific early adoption of several new products, including our new residential variable frequency drive, the Inline 400 pressure boosting system, and our solar family of products. It's too early to provide insight into the agricultural markets, but we see wet conditions continuing in the Midwest. Latin America has had a solid start in all markets and our international markets are good. However, foreign exchange rates globally are currently a large drag on the business. Steve Potts: We're pleased with the results we've had for the first quarter. Despite the weather, we continue to penetrate the market with new products and new customers. It's always gratifying to see the growth. OUR ROUNDTABLE Brian Daschner is founder and CEO of Hydroflo Pumps USA Inc., a manufacturer of vertical and submersible turbine driven pumps for use in a range of industries and headquartered in Fairview, Tennessee. Daschner started the company in 1998. DeLancey (Dee) W. Davis is vice president of Franklin Electric, president of North America Water Systems in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Davis has been actively involved in the water systems industry for more than 20 years, including the past 10 years at Franklin Electric. Prior to joining Franklin, he served as vice president of sales and marketing for Flexcon Industries. Steve Potts is national pump sales manager for A.Y. McDon- ald Mfg. Co., a Dubuque, Iowa-based manufacturer of water- works brass, plumbing valves, pumps and water systems, and high-pressure gas valves and meter bars. Potts is a current board member of the Iowa Water Well Association and has worked in the pump industry for 24 years. He got his start as a licensed pump installer in Iowa before becoming an owner/ operator of a pump installation company he ran for 12 years before joining A.Y. McDonald as the pumps product manager in 2005. WWJ May 2015 19 ROUNDTABLE continues on page 20 PUMP MANUFACTURERS ROUNDTABLE Representatives of the pump industry share their biggest concerns and ideas about the future. By Mike Price Twitter @WaterWellJournl Photo courtesy Franklin Electric

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