NGWA’s Public Relations and Government Affairs Manager Ben Frech, pictured to the left, attended pump manufacturer SIMFLO’s tour at its new 30,000-square-foot facility on October 4 in Lubbock, Texas, and roundtable discussion with U.S Representative Jodey Arrington, pictured in the middle.
SIMFLO, which employs more than 130 people, is a manufacturer of vertical pumps and serves clients around the world in the municipal, industrial, and agricultural industries. Its new facility broke ground earlier this year and will now be home to North America’s largest vertical pump testing site.
The new testing site contains three wells ranging from 40 to 80 feet and will allow a wide range of pump sizes to be tested to their highest capacity. The new facility will also be used as a collaborative office space and training center.
Arrington, whose district includes the city of Lubbock and the SIMFLO facility, toured the site and answered questions from SIMFLO employees and guests during a roundtable luncheon. Arrington also spoke to the group regarding the importance of SIMFLO’s work to the city of Lubbock and their larger contributions to water infrastructure across the country.
“Thanks to SIMFLO, West Texas — the food, fuel, and fiber capital of the world — will have the largest water pump testing facility in North America,” Arrington said. “Whether its groundwater or surface water, irrigation systems are critical to supporting U.S. agriculture and energy production, which provide energy independence and food security to our nation. New pump technology will make our farmers more efficient, conserve our natural resources, and give U.S. producers a competitive advantage in the global market.”
SIMFLO is expected to move into the new facility by the end of the year.