Member Article

Selwood Pump Company ready to shape bright future as it marks 55 years of success

A leading pump manufacturer is looking forward to celebrating its 55th year in business thanks to impressive growth based on a strong order book of domestic and export business.

Selwood Pump Company Limited, based in Hall Green Birmingham, which manufactures a wide range of pumps for diverse industry sectors including oil and car manufacturing, is building on its heritage with successive years of revenue and profit growth.

Having launched in 1967, Selwood has been flying the flag for British and Birmingham engineering with clients around the world. British designed and made, Selwood’s products are built to last, with several pumps still in use after more than 40 years.

Selwood pumps are used in oil transfer and processing such as ocean-going tankers and in the paint equipment for leading car manufacturers. The firm’s products are also used and trusted by water authorities and steel processing plants. Selwood continues to innovate, with recent launches including bespoke pump solutions for operation on customer specific applications.

MD Graham Gallen, who has worked for the company for 37 years, is proud of its achievements. He said: “The Selwood ethos is never to give up on a client and to never give up on a job so we are proud that we are not only still manufacturing after 55 years but seeing year on year growth.

“With 15 per cent of our sales going abroad, Selwood will build on its heritage to bring further success and play our part in Birmingham’s manufacturing scene. While Selwood may not be a household name, our products are used at power stations, car factories, oil processing facilities and across all sectors of manufacturing.

Graham believes trusted British manufacturers like Selwood can see a resurgence as customers strive to reduce their environmental impact. He says: “Like many heritage manufacturers in Birmingham, Selwood is repositioning its offering to meet the changing business needs. With the environmental push for reusable and repairable, the market will favour Selwood as our pumps can still be in use up to 40 years later.”

Selwood’s 24 staff have, on average, worked for the business for 25 years. Graham says: “With the skills and specialisms needed to work for Selwood, colleagues recognise the benefits of working for the company and stay loyal.

“As key workers in manufacturing, staff were able to keep working during the Covid-19 pandemic and appreciate that as long as their engineering, there will always be the need for pumps.”

Selwood is continuing to recruit, with a drive to get apprentices on board to shape the business of the future. The company is liaising with local colleges over more engaging ways of making young people aware of the opportunities. Selwood continues to follow wherever possible a policy of working with local businesses wherever possible and supporting commerce within the region.

Graham adds: “Looking forward in 2022, we have significant plans for the year ahead. Having built a strong business since the 1960s, we will continue to go from strength to strength over the years ahead.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Chris Leggett .