As the business celebrates its golden anniversary, PBM tales a closer look at DAB Pumps’ journey from humble beginnings to producing over two million pumps annually, and how the supplier is building a bright future.
The story of DAB Pumps begins in December 1975 in the industrial heartland of Veneto, northern Italy, where the company was established as a trading operation serving a consortium of four specialised manufacturers. These founding partners brought together expertise in stainless steel stamping, lamination stamping, cast iron casings and other precision manufacturing techniques — skills that would prove fundamental to the company’s future success in pump technology.
Today, as DAB Pumps celebrates its 50th anniversary with a turnover exceeding €430 million, the company’s growth story is inextricably linked to the network of merchant partners who have been instrumental in bringing its innovative pump solutions to market across the UK and Ireland. Indeed, the relationship between DAB and its merchant network is said to represent more than a simple supplier-distributor arrangement; it exemplifies a collaborative approach to business development that has created mutual value and sustained growth for all parties involved.
“Merchants have been absolutely integral to our success in the UK market,” explains Adam Ferneyhough, Country Director UK & Ireland at DAB Pumps. “From our early days establishing a presence in the UK market to our current position as a leading pump manufacturer, our merchant partners have been far more than just distribution channels — they’ve been true business partners who understand their local markets, support their customers, and help us develop products that meet real market needs.
“The relationship we’ve built with the merchant community over the past 50 years has been fundamental to our growth and success.”
Expansion
Following success in Italy, the company’s international expansion began in earnest during the 1990s, with 1996 marking a pivotal moment when DAB became part of a major multinational group in the pump sector. Crucially, this acquisition allowed the company to maintain its strategic and operational independence, preserving the innovative culture that had driven its early success while gaining access to the resources needed for global expansion.
This approach proved prescient, as the period from 1998 to 2009 saw DAB Pumps complete a series of acquisitions that significantly expanded its expertise and market reach. The integration of brands including Alma pumps, WaCS (Inverter Solutions for Pumps), Leader Pumps, Tesla submersible motors, and Brisan brought new technologies and capabilities under the DAB umbrella, creating a comprehensive portfolio that could address “virtually any water management challenge.”
Easy does it
The company’s commitment to innovation has been perhaps the most significant factor in its sustained success, with each breakthrough addressing genuine challenges faced by installers and building professionals. The launch of the EsyBox system in 2013 (and featured in PBM at the time…) exemplified this approach, introducing the first fully integrated electronic pressurisation system with no external components.
The EsyBox concept was so successful for the business that it evolved into an entire product line by 2020, with the EsyBox Max and EsyBox Line offerings providing modular solutions with integrated communication systems. For building professionals, this modularity has proven invaluable, allowing systems to be configured precisely to meet specific project requirements without overspecification or unnecessary complexity.
Meanwhile, the 2018 introduction of the Evosta range further demonstrated DAB’s understanding of industry needs. These circulators, featuring wet rotor technology, offered improved reliability and performance compared to traditional solutions.
“A noisy pump can be a major problem in commercial spaces such as offices, hospitals and schools,” explains Adam. “Electronic circulator pumps with electronically controlled wet rotor motors operate more quietly than traditional alternatives.”
Looking Forward
As DAB Pumps enters its sixth decade, the company’s UK operations — based in Colchester, Essex — continue to serve as a vital link between the company’s Italian heritage and the specific needs of UK markets. The combination of global resources and local expertise has proven particularly valuable in navigating the unique challenges of the UK building industry.
The next chapter of DAB’s story will undoubtedly be shaped by emerging technologies, changing regulations and evolving customer expectations. However, the company’s consistent focus on making water management easier suggests that building professionals can expect continued innovation designed to address real-world challenges.
Adam concludes: “The foundation of everything we do is understanding what professionals need to get the job done efficiently and reliably. That philosophy has guided us for 50 years, and it will continue to drive our innovation for the next 50.”
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