Water Pump Historical Timeline With Davey
Innovation and company milestones are now explored.
1934: Opening of F. W. Davey & Co
Our founder, Frank Davey, began his journey by opening a one-man enterprise in Carlton, Victoria, in 1934.
F. W. Davey & Co. Electrical Engineers was founded as an automotive electrician specialist before the current and iconic Australian brand famous for its innovation and development of centrifugal pumps, as well as water management solutions.
1940s: Introduction of Water Pump Systems
The automobile marketplace was seen saturated with competition.
Meanwhile, recognising that water infrastructures are new and improving alongside continuous civil construction, Frank Davey soon shifted into trading electric pumps.
1949: Self-Manufactured Pressure Boosters
By 1949, Frank Davey’s very first “General Duty” pressure booster and “Junior” water systems were produced with 1/2 and a 1/3 in horsepower capacity respectively, and this has gathered a lot of reputation among communities to being dependable, durable, and high-quality.
1950s: Signature Yellow Branding
Emerging around this time is the signature yellow branding that Davey is known for—across the shell of its water pumps as well as logo—and this has stood up until now without change.
1952: Tecnico Electronics Pty Ltd Acquired Davey
Tecnico Proprietary Limited, an early Australian electronics manufacturer who had realised the gradual expansion, potential, and the importance of manufacturing pressure booster pumps for the household, farming, and industrial landscape, had acquired F. W. Davey & Co. Electrical Engineers.
1953: The First Branch Office And The Huntingdale Site
The first branch office was opened in Glebe, New South Wales, to facilitate the water expansion of rapid urban development, and the Huntingdale Site was later acquired to become the main Davey production hub of housing, commercial, agronomy, and engine water pumps.
1955: Pye Industries' Acquisition
Pye Limited, arriving from Cambridge, England, established a strong and sudden presence in Australia by acquiring half of Tecnico, before buying the company ownership entirely.
Frank Davey also became a director of the latest acquisition, and the brand “Pye-Tecnico” was used before changing into Pye Industries Ltd in official signing.
1959: Relocation To Huntingdale
Davey’s manufacturing plant of centrifugal pumps are now centralised into Huntingdale, where sales continuity is shifted onto the Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.
1960: Davey's First Swimming Pool Pump
A growing trend of water sports during summer and other warm seasons led the first swimming pool pump introduction by Davey, with this line of production being known as the ‘3220’ model.
The immediate success of the pool circulation pumps marked the beginning for niche-specific market coverage.
1970s: Davey's Renowned Firefighter Pump Introduced
The now-legendary Davey Firefighter water pump was also launched into the market during this period. This is a product line that still remains foundational in Australian firefighting, emergency water solutions, and water transfer.
1971: Formation of Davey-Dunlite
By July 1971, a merger known as Davey-Dunlite was formed. Pye Industries saw two manufacturing capabilities with the potential to consolidate into a singular electronics branch under its umbrella.
The aim was to leverage its position of market leaders in both the pumping industry as well as generator sets.
1975: Davey-Dunlite Splitting
A business decision ultimately resulted in the mutual and amicable break-up of Davey pumps and Dunlite, for a strategic realignment to return focus back onto each entity’s specialised area of growth.
This core competency led Davey to become a world-renowned field-tailored diesel and electropump manufacturer, while Dunlite continued its focus onto the power generation and DC motor businesses.
The two remained under Pye Industries despite the separation.
1980: DynaFlo Pump Wins The Australian Design Award
The 5100 and 5130 models of Davey’s DynaFlo water pump wins the Australian Design Mark Award for its low-cost and electric application.
This historical moment is also the first for any centrifugal pump to win the honour.
1980: McPherson's Aquired Davey, DynaJet Released
Pye Industries, now taken over by the Philips Company in major ownership after a series of stock market battle from 1967-1978, decided to sell Davey to McPherson’s Limited as part of their divestment plan to clean up the existing balance sheet.
With the new management, the DynaJet booster pump was also released as part of the latest product development.
1980s: Ajax-Davey Pumps
Davey was merged by the McPherson’s group of companies to form Ajax-Davey Pumps.
The parent organisation believed that a consolidation and market positioning between the newly-added Australian centrifugal pump manufacturer, and its existing Ajax pressure system business (by rationalising) would be favourable, just as Davey is highly successful in domestic water systems.
1981: DynaFlo Finalist For Prince Philip Prize
The Davey DynaFlo centrifugal pump became one of the 11 finalists for the Prince Philip Prize.
This was televised nationally on the October 2th, 1981, and attended in-person by His Royal Highness Prince Philip.
1982: Throwback Video of Davey Pumps
1984: The Composite Casing Models Introduced, DynaPrime 6420 & 6440 Released
The introduction of composite materials came into the application of Davey water pumps. Particularly, the volute area where clean, chlorine-treated water is in direct contact, which causes eventual slow but steady rust for metals.
The application of polymer (plastic) keeps it inert and resistant for even longer-term usefulness. Similarly, the DynaPrime series with 6220 and 6440 versions were released in 1984.
1985: Ajax-Davey Separation
A strategic split was reached for the Ajax-Davey pump duo as a result of cultural mismatch in business operations.
Ajax was eventually sold off to the Southern Cross group of companies, while Davey remained within the McPherson’s stable.
1986: Establishment of Davey Water Products Pty Ltd
Davey Water Products Pty Ltd became registered, replacing the former name (Davey F. W. Davey & Co. Electrical Engineers) in administration.
McPherson’s Limited also placed Davey up for sale amounting to $24 million upon valuation proceedings.
1987: Davey Wins The Australian Design Award
1989: XF And XA Pump Models Released, Exporting And Trading In New Zealand, & Contamination Control Technologies
The XA and XF pumps became introduced to expand Davey’s range of pressure systems to withstand high water temperatures, which are used across commercial plants as well as certain households.
Exporting To New Zealand
Similarly, exporting and trading booster pumps into New Zealand has begun to increase the overall market share and presence of Davey.
Contamination Technologies
Aligning with consumer safety, the research and development division of Davey began obtaining contamination technologies to complement Davey’s water systems.
1990s: Embracing Advanced Manufacturing Techniques
Advancement in industrialisation and pipeline processing became focused, and Davey began to embrace higher tiers of manufacturing techniques, which also includes plastic injection moulding. This cycle of refinement within the production line continues from the year 2000 until this very day.
1990s: Davey Water Products' RainBank
In a cause focusing towards conservation and environmentalism means, the eco-friendly thoughtful engineers introduced the RainBank as a harvesting controller, pioneering the collection of natural rainwater as a substitute to treated water supplies.
1990: XP Water Pump With Hydrascan Released
The XP series of water pumps was released. This Home Pressure System (HPS) is part of an economical line of product with an attachment known as the Hydrascan control module, providing pressure without cycling.
In addition, the Hydrascan also offer a loss of prime protection and has a fail-safe mechanism to stop pump operation once temperature levels have hit a certain threshold (which ensures longevity of use). The success of the Hydrascan saw huge commercial success as it replaces the conventional pressure switch as a fitting.
1991: Davey Wins Australian Victoria Division Engineering Excellence Award
1992: 93000 Firefighter Series
At the start of 1992, the 93000 series of single-stage Firefighter engine-driven pumps was released. By the late year, the two-stage Firefighter PLUS models was also launched into the market.
1993: Submersibles And Sump Pump
Davey have started widening its range of products into submersibles and sump pumps.
The first batch of the 4 inch J and N series of submergible arrived.
1994: Adopting TEFC Motor Technology
The adaptation of totally-enclosed, fan-cooled (TEFC) motor technology was applied in Davey’s production line of the DynaJet centrifugal pumps (except for its 90 version).
1995: Acquisition by GUD Holdings Limited
GUD Holdings (later known as Amotiv Limited) acquired Davey Water Products Pty Ltd in March 1995 for $27.5 million.
McPherson’s decided to sell Davey to reduce its debt and improve its accounts, despite having the pump manufacturer as one of their best-performing businesses.
By July, Graham Denton retired as General Manager, and David Cleland took over as the new Managing Director.
1997: Grinders & XF192
Davey’s grinder pumps and XF192 were introduced for more micro-niche coverage.
1998: Yanmar Diesel Fitted For Engine Water Pumps
The Yanmar brand of manufacturing became partners with Davey on supplying and fitting Diesel engines for centrifugal pumps.
2000s: Global Exporting
Davey begun scaling upward in an effort for the global trade, and since the early 2000s, Davey have resolved the many market-entry difficulties and successfully exported into 50 countries and more.
2000s: Monsoon IQ2 Water System Introduction
Simultaneously, Davey’s Monsoon IQ2 water system was introduced.
The reputation buildup in complete water management solutions becomes further enhanced among industrialists.
2000: HS Multistage Pump Released
The very first Horizontal Series (HS) was released by Davey.
2001: Relocation To Scoresby
Davey begins to relocate its main pump manufacturing operations from the Huntingdale factory to Scoresby.
2003: The ISO Spec Range of Industrial Pumps Released
The shift towards the European’s ISO standard of pump specifications, which has been universally recognised across the world in the age of Y2K and globalisation marked the step of stringent processing in the production line. As such, Davey released the ISO spec range of industrial pumps to be exported and used anywhere.
2004: Davey Acquired Spa Quip
Davey Products Pty Ltd acquired New Zealand-based Spa-Quip Ltd in June 2004 to strengthen its position in the spa pool market.
This strategic move allowed Davey to expand its product offerings, specifically by adding Spa-Quip’s specialised pumps, filters, and electronic controllers to their existing water pump and treatment portfolio across Australia and in international markets.
2004: RainBank And Celsior Spa Pump Wins Australian Design Mark
The RainBank rainwater harvesting controller, as well as the Celsior spa pump earned the prestigious Australian Design Mark by becoming early pioneers for smart, energy-efficient water management and resolving critical environmental challenges.
2005: Contamination Control, Torrium2 And 5 Series Firefighter Models
Quality assurance involvement through the immediate purchase of contamination control technologies were assayed by Davey for better enforcement of the clean water infrastructure.
Similarly, the release of Torrium2 digital controller as well as the 5 series of Firefighter models were announced.
2005: Davey Wins HIA GreenSmart Award
2007: Silensor Introduction, Wins Australian Design Mark
With the spa market recently explored, Davey introduced the newly Silensor range of swimming pool pumps as a specialised deployment for the natatorium and lido area of use.
The Silensor pump includes a leaf basket to filter and trap mid to larger debris from entering the pool’s circulatory system once again.
Australian Design Mark
During the same year, the Silensor won the Australian Design Mark for its innovative water-cooled technology, which eliminates noisy fans and runs ultra-quietly. It was recognized for being up to 15% more energy-efficient, featuring durable, non-corrosive polymers, and including, at that time, unique dry-run protection to prevent motor damage
2008: Improved RainBank Controller
The RainBank digital controller was re-visited and improved in hardware, following the greener conscience of the internet decade.
This would automatically switch the pump from using household water supply to prioritising harvested rainwater first for toilets, laundry, and even garden application.
2009: Davey Wins The Australian Product Innovations Savewater! Award
2011: PMECO Released
Following the modern environmentalism trend enabled the creation and manufacturing of the PowerMaster Eco (PMECO) swimming pool pump, which is a machinery equipment that is manually-adjusted in variable speed options.
The PowerMaster Eco swimming pool pump achieved a 5 star energy rating in a test conducted by the joint effort of the government and industry program.
2012: MK II Released, & Wins Good Design Award
Continuing the eco-friendly living, the MK II pump set, which encompasses an all-in-one system comprising of a sump pump, a RainBank device, and an optional filter was launched in 2012.
This centrifugal pump set installs perfectly and without hassle on any rainwater tank.
Good Design Award
An entry submission of the MK II to the Good Design Award during the same year led the pump set to also win the accolade.
2012: Davey Wins Another Savewater!, & PowerMaster Eco Wins SPASA Sustainability Award
2013: Australian Engineering Excellence, & Parliament of Victoria Environment & Sustainability Awards
During 2013, Davey’s water-cooled pump designs won the Australian Engineering Excellence award, while the Davey brand itself achieves a trophy from the Parliament of Victoria Environment & Sustainability.
2016: Remote Start Firefighter Released
The latest improvement of the engine water pump series intergrate the latest Short Message System (SMS) and wireless technology, making the Remote Start Firefighter in-sync with a user’s phone.
This milestone enables remote irrigation via messaging, or even pre-set a timer for scheduled watering.
2017: Monsoon IQ, Microlene Farm, Silensor Bluetooth, Azure
The addition of Monsoon IQ pump skid, microlene UV system for anti-bacteria control, Silensor swimming pool pump that features a Bluetooth attachment for operation, as well as the brand of Azure by Davey is released.
The creation of Azure consist of a range of specialised water pumps that are purely helpful for domestic water supply, specifically targeting residential pressure boosting, rainwater harvesting, and garden irrigation.
In the later years, the Azure series of water pumps was renamed and rebranded into Davey’s TotalFlo.
2018: StarFlo, SureFlo, Henden, and TankSense
StarFlo, SureFlo, And TankSense
Rising interest of water sports for aesthetics and athleticism led the expansion of Davey’s swimming pool pumps. This includes the StarFlo, and the SureFlo series.
In addition to integrating the latest technological progression of Internet of Things (IoT), the TankSense water level sensor with AI-driven monitoring and app control was brought into the spotlight. In hindsight, the TankSense invention was ahead of the curve with AI implementation to have a constant oversight of any pressure tank.
Henden
Davey Water Products created the Henden brand to simplify ownership and modernise pool pumps and equipment. Including sanitation and filtration, users are capable of managing their own swimming area with ease, through the aid of automation (robotic cleaner), app, and supported warranties. The Henden brand is solely distributed by the Reece Plumbing group.
2019: DynaDrive, ChloroMatic Nipper, Acqua
The DynaDrive, which is considered the state-of-the-art, heavy-duty inverter water pump for household use, ChloroMatic Nipper as a salt chlorinator, and Acqua for safe water disinfection was unveiled.
2020: ChloroMatic Lifeguard
An automated pool chemistry controller and salt chlorinator combination set was launched into the housing market. Known as the ChloroMatic Lifeguard, it monitors, and helps to adjust pH, ORP (chlorine levels), salt levels, temperature, automatically dosing acid and generating chlorine to maintain a safe yet balanced water.
2022: All New 4 Inch Bore Range 115V DynaDrive
An additional variation of the DynaDrive inverter pump that leaned towards the 4 inch bore type, which consumes 115 volts at peak, has been released in 2022.
2023: Waterco's Acquisition, VM Range And 316SS HM Released, SPASA Sustainability Award
Waterco completed the acquisition of Davey Water Products Pty Ltd worth $64.9 million AUD, with the intention of solidifying its position as a global leader in water technology.
Vertical Multistage (VM) Water Pump
Similarly, the VM series was introduced, which emphasises on longer height and shorter width to take up less space within the pump room.
316SS HM
A stronger stainless steel (316SS) version of the HM series has arrived in the application of the pump’s shaft.
SPASA Sustainability Award
The ProMaster variant of PM400BT swimming pool pump has achieved the SPASA recognition during this period.
2024—Present: New ESelect And Davey Halo
eSelect
Davey’s proprietary software of product selector, also known as the ‘eSelect’, was launched to specify and select the most appropriate water pump for your application.
Davey HALO
The improvement of HALO integration of Internet of Things that powers up Davey’s Monsoon IQ was also reviewed and improved.
