Ruthman Companies
Ruthman Companies is a privately held, family-owned industrial pump and valve manufacturer with over 100 years of history, operating seven manufacturing brands and four distribution/service divisions serving automotive OEM, water/wastewater, power generation, and general industrial customers across North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1920
- HeadquartersWest Chester, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Ruthman Companies does
Ruthman Companies is a privately held, family-owned industrial pump and valve manufacturer with more than 100 years of operating history. The legal entity, Ruthman Pump & Engineering, Inc., is headquartered at 7236 Tylers Corner Drive in West Chester, Ohio, with registered offices in Cincinnati. Ruthman operates seven manufacturing brands — Gusher Pumps (centrifugal, sealless vertical, self-priming, and solids-handling pumps), BSM Pump (gear pumps for industrial and defense), Nagle Pumps (heavy-duty cantilever and vertical pumps including molten salt designs), Process Systems Inc./Deming Vertical Turbine Pumps (water/wastewater vertical turbines), RAE Pumps (multistage pumps with direct e-commerce), Ruthmann Pumpen LLC (German operations), and Fulflo Valves (hydraulic relief valves) — together with four distribution and service divisions (Great Lakes Pump & Supply, Great Southern Pump Company, Wagner Process Equipment, and Ruthman Pumps & Service). Manufacturing facilities are located in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Rhode Island, Shanghai (China), and Baesweiler (Germany).
The company generates revenue primarily through quote-based hardware sales of custom-engineered pumps and valves, sold directly via regional sales managers, through an extensive distributor network, and via OEM embedded relationships where pumps are integrated into automotive paint systems, parts washers, and industrial equipment. A secondary revenue stream comes from pump repair, rehabilitation, and condition-point testing services at the Cincinnati and Dry Ridge facilities. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated per application due to custom engineering requirements. Customers are concentrated in automotive OEM paint and process lines (General Motors, Toyota, FCA/Chrysler, Cummins), municipal and industrial water treatment, nuclear and solar thermal power generation, dairy and distillery fluid handling, and general industrial manufacturing (parts washing, heat treating, plating). The Gusher Pumps division holds ISO 9001:2015 certification from EAGLE Registrations, Inc., and Ruthman is a member of the Hydraulic Institute.
The business goes to market through a multi-channel motion combining regional direct field sales, inside sales, distributor partnerships (Great Lakes Pump & Supply, Anderson Process, Wagner Process Equipment, Voigt-Abernathy, OTP Industrial Solutions, HMFT), and OEM relationships with system integrators such as Durr Systems, Giffin, and KOCH. Marketing is content-led through the 'Ahead of the Curve' blog, the Ruthman Reporter newsletter, industry trade shows (PRI, Clean Show, WEFTEC, Hydraulic Institute conferences), and on-demand training webinars (Pump 101, Pump 102, Valves 101). Recent organizational moves include the creation of two new executive vice president roles — Sales and Marketing (Amanda Clifton, November 2025) and Strategy and Procurement (Andres Spallazi, April 2026) — alongside the 2020 Shanghai expansion and the December 2020 RAE Pumps standalone brand launch with online ordering.
Ruthman Companies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ruthman Companies
- Legal name
- Ruthman Pump & Engineering, Inc.
- Website
- https://ruthmancompanies.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Ruthman Companies is a privately held, family-owned industrial pump and valve manufacturer with over 100 years of history, operating seven manufacturing brands and four distribution/service divisions serving automotive OEM, water/wastewater, power generation, and general industrial customers across North America, Europe, and Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ruthman Companies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Pumps and Fluid Handling Equipment
- NAICS
- Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Industrial Valve Manufacturing (332911)
- SIC
- Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets) (IMAHANAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Positive Displacement Pumps (IMAHANAB), Valves & Cartridge Valves (Directional, Pressure, Flow Control) (IMAHAGAE)
Keywords
Where Ruthman Companies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- West Chester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices14 records
Markets served
Ruthman Companies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Pump and Valve Manufacturing: Ruthman Companies manufactures and sells industrial pumps and hydraulic valves through its family of brands including Gusher Pumps, BSM Pump, Nagle Pumps, Process Systems/Deming VTP, RAE Pumps, Ruthmann Pumpen, and Fulflo Valves. Products are sold directly and through distributors to industrial customers.
- Service & Repair: Ruthman Pumps & Service provides pump repair, rehabilitation, and maintenance services including condition-point testing and parts re-machining at their Cincinnati repair facility and Dry Ridge, KY test tank.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Ruthman Companies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ruthman Companies designs, custom-manufactures, and services industrial pumps and hydraulic valves through a family of specialized brands (Gusher Pumps, BSM Pump, Nagle Pumps, Process Systems/Deming VTP, RAE Pumps, Ruthmann Pumpen, and Fulflo Valves). Products include centrifugal, gear, vertical turbine, self-priming, vortex, and sealless enclosed column pumps used in automotive manufacturing, water and wastewater treatment, energy, and general industrial fluid handling applications. The company also provides pump repair, rehabilitation, and condition-point testing through Ruthman Pumps & Service.
Product overview
Ruthman Companies is a family-owned pump and valve engineering company with over 100 years of experience, providing comprehensive pump solutions from selection through installation and service. The company operates multiple manufacturing brands including Gusher Pumps (centrifugal pumps for industrial applications), BSM Pump (gear pumps), Nagle Pumps (heavy-duty pumps for demanding applications), Process Systems/Deming Vertical Turbine Pumps (water/wastewater), RAE Pumps (multistage pumps), and Fulflo Valves (hydraulic relief valves). The portfolio also includes international operations through Ruthmann Pumpen in Germany and distribution divisions across North America. Services include custom engineering, precision manufacturing, pump testing, and full-service repair capabilities supporting customers throughout the pump lifecycle.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BSM Pump: Gear pumps for industrial and defense applications
- Gusher Pumps
- Nagle Pumps
- Deming Vertical Turbine Pumps
- RAE Pumps
- Ruthmann Pumpen
- Fulflo Valves
- Process Systems, Inc.
Products and services
- Gusher 7550 Series Vertical Pumps
Quantifiable outcome
- Mechanical seal failures eliminated through sealless design
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Ruthman Companies
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Ruthman Companies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Ruthman Companies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Voigt-Abernathy Company, Inc.coreMulti-line distributor based in Birmingham, Alabama representing Gusher, Deming Vertical Turbine Pump (Process Systems), and Nagle brands in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Offers engineering design and aftermarket services for equipment selection optimization.
- Ransohoff (Cleaning Technologies Group)minorIndustrial parts cleaning equipment manufacturer. Uses equipment supplied by Great Lakes Pumps including Gusher pumps in aqueous and solvent based parts cleaning systems. Awarded Great Lakes Pumps On-Time Delivery award.
- Durr SystemscoreAutomotive paint system manufacturer. Ordered 38 Gusher Vortex pumps for Toyota Georgetown paint sludge systems and is a key OEM partner for automotive paint applications.
- GiffincoreAutomotive paint system manufacturer. Ordered 20 Gusher SPP Series Self-Priming pumps for FCA Chrysler Mack Ave and Warren Jeep plant paint shops.
- Anderson Industrial Machine (AIM)coreIndustrial distributor collaborating on custom pump solutions including Cummins Mexico filtration system, Dancing Goat Distillery cooling tower, and water park disinfection systems. Provides engineering design and fabrication support.
- HMFTminorGusher distributor facilitating sale of SC Series pumps for nuclear power plant emergency diesel generator application. Worked with Kinetrics for pump commissioning.
- KinetricsminorCanadian electrical systems engineering firm that commissioned Gusher SC Series pumps for nuclear application, conducting rigorous testing including pressure testing to 220psi.
- Anderson ProcesscoreIndustrial distributor for Dancing Goat Distillery cooling tower project and dairy pump service projects. Provides pumps throughout facilities with track record of excellent service.
- OTP Industrial SolutionsminorGusher distributor that helped spec Gusher 7550 pump for engine remanufacturing plant parts washer application.
- Anderson Industrial Machine (AIM)coreWorks with water parks on Eastern seaboard for pump installations. Suggested variable frequency drives for energy cost reduction and provides custom frame fabrication for free-standing pump installations.
- KOCHminorEquipment manufacturer for powder coating systems. Used Gusher 7600 series top pullout pumps on recent project with Lifetime Products.
- Fog Machine OEM (Pirates of the Caribbean)minorOriginal equipment manufacturer for movie fog machines. Ordered 25 custom BSM gear pumps for fog machine application in Pirates of the Caribbean film production.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Ruthman Companies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Sulzer Ltd. Swiss-headquartered manufacturer of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps for water, industrial and energy markets; comparable in vertical-axis pump engineering, custom engineered skids and service offerings.
- Smith & Loveless Inc. Specialty pump manufacturer focused on vertical and submersible pumping stations for wastewater and industrial markets; comparable niche engineering focus and custom-build business model.
- Crane Co. (Crane Pumps & Systems): Industrial pump manufacturer offering centrifugal, self-priming and submersible pumps for water, wastewater and industrial markets; directly overlaps with Gusher's ANSI centrifugal and self-priming product lines.
- Franklin Electric Co., Inc. Manufacturer of submersible and centrifugal pumps for water systems, industrial and fueling applications; competes with Ruthman's vertical turbine pumps and water/wastewater service footprint.
- Peerless Pump Company: Vertical turbine and centrifugal pump specialist for water, irrigation and industrial services; closely aligned to Ruthman's Deming VTP and Nagle heavy-duty vertical cantilever offerings.
Broad incumbents
- Flowserve Corporation: One of the world's largest manufacturers of industrial pumps, valves and seals serving power, oil & gas, chemical and water markets — directly overlapping Ruthman's industrial pump base but operating at vastly greater scale and global reach.
- Xylem Inc. Major water and wastewater pump manufacturer with strong municipal and industrial presence; directly comparable to Ruthman's Process Systems/Deming VTP vertical turbine franchise and overall water treatment focus.
- Grundfos: Global pump manufacturer with deep presence in industrial, water utility and OEM segments; competes directly with Ruthman's centrifugal, vertical turbine and submersible offerings, especially in the water treatment vertical.
- Pentair plc: Diversified water and fluid handling company with industrial pump and flow-control offerings; competes with Ruthman across water treatment and industrial fluid handling use cases.
Emerging players
- Hydro Inc. Independent pump service and reliability provider serving power, industrial and municipal customers; closely aligned to Ruthman Pumps & Service's aftermarket repair, re-machining and test capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Ruthman Companies social profiles
Digital presenceRuthman Companies compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Ruthman Companies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ruthman Companies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Ruthman Companies subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries11 records
Ruthman Companies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ruthman Companies M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ruthman Companies
What does Ruthman Companies do?
Ruthman Companies designs, custom-manufactures, and services industrial pumps and hydraulic valves through a family of specialized brands (Gusher Pumps, BSM Pump, Nagle Pumps, Process Systems/Deming VTP, RAE Pumps, Ruthmann Pumpen, and Fulflo Valves). Products include centrifugal, gear, vertical turbine, self-priming, vortex, and sealless enclosed column pumps used in automotive manufacturing, water and wastewater treatment, energy, and general industrial fluid handling applications. The company also provides pump repair, rehabilitation, and condition-point testing through Ruthman Pumps & Service.
Is Ruthman Companies a public or private company?
Ruthman Companies is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ruthman Companies founded?
Ruthman Companies was founded in 1920. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Ruthman Companies based?
Ruthman Companies is headquartered in West Chester, United States, in the North America region.
How does Ruthman Companies make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Pump and Valve Manufacturing is the primary driver. The others are service & Repair.
Who are Ruthman Companies's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Sulzer Ltd., Smith & Loveless Inc., Crane Co. (Crane Pumps & Systems), Franklin Electric Co., Inc. and Peerless Pump Company. Broad incumbents are Flowserve Corporation, Xylem Inc., Grundfos and Pentair plc. Hydro Inc. is listed as an emerging player.
Does Ruthman Companies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ruthman Companies.
What industry is Ruthman Companies in?
Ruthman Companies's product category is Industrial Pumps and Fluid Handling Equipment. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAHANAG, Pump & Compressor Packages (Skids, Booster Sets), with a secondary code of IMAHANAB, Positive Displacement Pumps. Its NAICS code is 33391 and its SIC code is 3561.