Ruhrpumpen, Inc.

The story of Ruhrpumpen, a name derived from Germany's Ruhr river and the German word for 'pump', began its journey in 1950. Its origins are rooted in the industrial heartland of Witten, Germany, where, in the aftermath of World War II, it started as a modest operation named Ruhrpumpen GmbH Wende & Hentschel. The initial focus was on maintaining and repairing existing pumps of all kinds and manufacturing spare parts. As the post-war era spurred new construction and industrial growth, the demand for new pumping equipment surged, particularly for the shipping industry, followed by pipelines and refineries. This necessity became the mother of invention for Ruhrpumpen, shaping its early product portfolio and setting it on a path of continuous evolution and expansion.

The company's trajectory was marked by a series of acquisitions and mergers, reflecting the dynamic nature of the industrial landscape. In 1955, it was acquired by Rurhstahlwerke and later, in 1963, by Rheinstahl Hüttenwerke. A significant merger with Thyssen in 1974 saw Ruhrpumpen become part of a major industrial conglomerate for over two decades. However, a pivotal moment arrived in 1997 when the Mexican family company, Corporación EG, led by the visionary entrepreneur Cesar A. Elizondo Villarreal, acquired Ruhrpumpen. This was a landmark event, marking the first time a Mexican entrepreneur invested in a German industrial company. This acquisition was not just a change in ownership but a fusion of cultures and expertise. Corporación EG, with its own strong history in manufacturing since 1979, brought a new dynamism. The acquisition of the Flowserve (Byron Jackson) factory in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2000, was another strategic milestone, opening up the vast US market. Under this new leadership, Ruhrpumpen transformed into a global, family-owned powerhouse, dedicated to designing, manufacturing, and servicing highly-engineered pumping solutions for critical industries like oil and gas, power generation, chemical processing, and water management across the globe.