piranha pumps & dredges

What piranha pumps & dredges does

Piranha Pumps & Dredges, operating as Equipment Specialties Co., Inc., is a privately held, woman-owned U.S. manufacturer of industrial pumps and dredging systems headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 1961 originally as a manufacturer's representative, the company transitioned into manufacturing and now offers over 75 different pumps and pumping systems, including submersible pumps (agitator slurry, solids handling, dewatering, and corrosion-resistant models), Mini Dredges (four models introduced in 2000, starting at $10,200), Industrial Dredges (5-75 HP, with excavation rates up to 225 cubic yards per hour), FP Series Floating Platforms (12 standard flotation packages), and accessory products such as water cannons and trash pumps. The product line is built around mechanical engineering differentiators including recessed impeller designs that minimize abrasive wear, mechanical agitator systems that re-suspend settled solids to prevent pump starvation, 316 stainless steel machined castings (rather than fabricated sheet metal) for corrosion resistance, silicon carbide mechanical seals, and HDPE foam-filled UV-resistant floating platforms. The company sells directly to customers through its website and phone-based sales support, with nationwide U.S. shipping and on-site delivery plus startup service technician support included with industrial dredge systems. Pricing is hardware-based and quote-driven, with unit pricing ranging from sub-$1,000 dewatering pumps up to six-figure industrial dredge systems, supplemented by short-term equipment rentals. The customer base is horizontal, spanning industrial and municipal facilities, waterfront property owners, construction contractors, and mining/aggregate operators across what the company describes as nearly every continent. Revenue is not publicly disclosed, no funding rounds, M&A activity, leadership changes, patents, certifications, or named enterprise customers are recorded in the available data.

Name

piranha pumps & dredges

Legal name

Equipment Specialties Co., Inc.

Website

https://piranhapump.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Piranha Pumps & Dredges is a woman-owned, U.S.-based manufacturer of submersible pumps, mini and industrial dredges, and floating platforms serving industrial, municipal, construction, mining, and waterfront property customers with hardware sales and direct technical support.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Dredging Equipment

NAICS

Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914)

SIC

Pumps & Pumping Equipment (3561)

akta.pro primary industry

Slurry, Dewatering & Process Pumps (Pumps, Valves, Piping for Mine/Plant) (IMAKANAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Centrifugal Pumps (IMAHANAA)

Keywords

• Industrial dredging equipment
• Submersible slurry pumps
• Sediment removal systems
• Dewatering pumps
• Floating pump platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial Pump Sales: One-time sales of industrial pumps and dredging equipment including mini dredges, industrial dredges, submersible pumps (agitator slurry, solids handling, dewatering, corrosion resistant), floating platforms, trash pumps, and water cannons. The company sells directly to customers and offers customization for specific applications. Delivery and startup services are included with industrial systems.
2. Rental Services: The company offers equipment rentals for short-term needs or one-off jobs as a cost-effective alternative to purchasing. This provides flexible access to pumps and dredging equipment without capital investment.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Piranha Pumps & Dredges manufactures and sells industrial submersible pumps, mini dredges, industrial dredges, and floating platforms used for sediment removal, dewatering, and slurry transfer. The company designs customized pumping systems configured to specific application requirements and ships products nationwide across the United States, with delivery and startup service included for industrial dredge systems.

Product overview

Piranha Pumps & Dredges manufactures a portfolio of industrial pumps and dredging equipment as a woman-owned business since 1961. The product line centers on two core dredge categories (Mini Dredges and Industrial Dredges) combined with multiple submersible pump types (Agitator Slurry, Solids Handling, Dewatering, and Corrosion Resistant), all supported by FP Series Floating Platforms. Accessory products include Industrial Water Cannons and Trash Pumps. The Mini Dredge (introduced in 2000) provides portable sediment removal for smaller applications, while Industrial Dredges offer full-scale systems with remote control, floating platforms, and higher excavation rates (up to 225 cubic yards/hour). Submersible pumps cover dewatering, solids handling, slurry agitation, and corrosive environments, with power ranging from 0.75 hp to 75 hp and flow capacities up to 1,800 gpm. The company inventories over 75 different pumps and pumping systems. Products are proudly made in the USA with manufacturing and sales based in Albuquerque, NM.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Mini Dredge Compact, portable, gasoline-engine-powered sediment removal pumping system designed for homeowners and contractors to excavate and transfer mud, sand, and muck. Available in 4 models with production rates from 10-40 cubic yards per hour, suitable for applications up to 8,000 cubic yards. Pricing starts at $10,200.
• Industrial Dredge Full-scale dredging systems built on floating platforms, featuring powerful agitator slurry pumps that excavate material from within the core of sediment layers. Models P-5 through P-75 with excavation rates from 25-225 cubic yards per hour, handling solids up to 2.5 inches and materials including gravel, sand, mud, sewage, and coal slurries. Systems include flotation platform, remote control panel, floating discharge, and delivery/startup service.
• Agitator Slurry Pump Heavy-duty submersible pumps with mechanical agitators that deliver kinetic energy to solids surrounding the pump intake, re-suspending settled sediment into fluid state for pumping. Designed for high concentrations of slurry, sand, mud, and silt up to 2.5 inch solids. Available in medium duty (PS series) and severe duty (P series) models from 0.75 to 75 hp, with high-chromium alloy steel wet end components and class F motor insulation.
• Solids Handling Pump Recessed impeller style submersible pumps designed for pumping moderate to heavy suspended solids including slurry, sewage, debris, mud, and sand. Models range from 1 to 30 horsepower, capable of passing up to 3 inch solids. Available in standard (PSS/PS series) and large (PLS series, PWT series) configurations for sump, lagoon, and industrial wastewater applications.
• Dewatering Pump Heavy duty abrasion-resistant submersible pumps for removing water from mines, power plant sumps, manholes, construction sites, and as water supply pumps. Available in models from 0.75 hp to 45 hp with flows up to 1,800 gallons per minute and heads to 450 feet. Models include P-75-SS through P-4500 with various voltage and phase configurations.
• Corrosion Resistant Pump Submersible pumps designed for severe corrosion applications featuring all 316 stainless steel wetted components (volute and impeller are thick machined castings), silicon carbide mechanical seals, and recessed impellers that minimize abrasive wear. For severe corrosion: 316 stainless steel models (1-10 hp). For moderate corrosion: Rhino Coated aluminum with stainless steel impellers, shafts, and hardware (1.5-75 hp).
• FP Series Floating Platform Industrial floating work platforms designed to support submersible pumps in water removal, water supply, or solids removal applications. Available in 12 standard flotation packages (FP-0 through FP-9) capable of floating weights from 132 lbs to 4,796 lbs. Features include high-strength tubular steel, urethane oven-baked powder coat finish, modular hi-density polyethylene foam-filled floats, and stainless-steel fasteners. Customizable with electric hoist, traverse winch, and floating discharge options.
• Industrial Water Cannon High-pressure water cannons that deliver massive water streams, originally invented for placer mining in Alaska with the original single flow path water cannon design. Used for fire protection, dust abatement, tank and basin cleaning, heavy machinery washdown, and placer mining applications.
• Trash Pump Portable engine-driven trash/slurry pumps available in 1.5, 3, and 4 inch sizes. Heavy-duty pumps capable of transferring large amounts of debris and water, designed for removal of sediment, water, dust abatement, or fire protection. Built with high-quality components to withstand abrasion and shock for both residential and industrial applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Mini Dredge production rates from 10-40 cubic yards per hour
• +4 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• EDDY Pump Corporation: Direct competitor in industrial slurry and dredge pumps, offering submersible dredges and pump systems for mining, construction, and sediment removal. Highly comparable product portfolio with similar target customers (mining, municipal, contractors).
• Ellicott Dredges: Long-established US-based dredge manufacturer producing industrial and mid-sized dredging systems for municipal, mining, and waterways applications. Closely comparable in offering portable and full-scale dredging equipment to industrial and government customers.
• IMS Dredges (LWT): Manufacturer of portable and heavy-duty dredges, including the versatile 5012 LP and 7012 HP series. Competes directly with Piranha's Mini Dredge and Industrial Dredge lines in environmental, mining, and municipal dredging.
• Tsurumi Pump: Global manufacturer of submersible pumps including dewatering, slurry, and solids-handling models. Strongly comparable in submersible pump product categories (dewatering, slurry, corrosion resistant) and similar industrial/municipal customer base.
• Dragflow North America: Manufacturer of heavy-duty submersible slurry pumps and dredging systems for mining, dredging, and industrial applications. Closely comparable in submersible agitator pumps and remote-controlled dredging equipment.

Regional players

• WEDA (Larsson Sweden) Submersible Pumps: Manufacturer of submersible dewatering and slurry pumps primarily serving European and international markets. Comparable in submersible pump product line and target applications (mining, construction dewatering, industrial).
• Atlas Dredges (UK): European-based dredge manufacturer producing industrial and compact dredging systems. Comparable in mini dredge and industrial dredge offerings, primarily serving UK and European markets.

Broad incumbents

• Xylem Inc. Global water technology giant offering pumps, dewatering, and treatment solutions across water, wastewater, and industrial markets. Competes with Piranha's dewatering and solids-handling pumps through its Godwin, Flygt, and brands.
• Grundfos: Global pump manufacturer with broad industrial, commercial, and municipal portfolio. Overlaps with Piranha in submersible and dewatering pumps but serves a far wider range of applications at much larger scale.
• Flowserve Corporation: Industrial pump and valve manufacturer serving oil & gas, power, chemical, and water markets. Overlaps with Piranha's slurry and dewatering pumps as part of broader industrial fluid handling portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about piranha pumps & dredges