B U I L D I N G   A 

Vaughan Company has a long history of innovation and quality.  Jim Vaughan, the founder of Vaughan Company, invented the world's first chopper pump in 1960.  The business started in the garage of Jim's gas station in Elma, Washington.  Jim repaired the local dairymen's manure pumps, which experienced constant maintenance problems caused by clogging on bedding and twine.  After spending many a wasted hour repairing pumps, Jim developed a unique design that effectively became the original chopper pump.  Immediately, Jim realized he had invented something worthy of a patent.

In 1961, Vaughan Company purchased a 5,000 square foot building located in Montesano, Washington,  This facility was previously used by the Schafer Brothers Logging Company as an engine repair facility for the railroad.  Vaughan Company's current facility still incorporates the original building, but with over 35,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space. 

In 1964, Vaughan Company's first patent was issued.  Since then, over 40 worldwide patents have been issued or are pending.  New design developments have almost exclusively centered on product improvements in efficiency and reliability in the most severe environments.

Improvements in the late 1970's included the development of a seal-and-bearing system for vertical wet well pumps to eliminate sleeve and grease packed bearings.  In the 1980's, Vaughan developed the "LCC Series" of higher efficiency 3" through 6" chopper pumps.  These designs were further refined with the "HP Series" and also expanded to include 8" through 12" pumps in the 1990's.  The "E-Series" chopper pumps were introduced in early 2000, and included further improvements in efficiency, and back pull-out design was introduced.

Stepping into the 21st Century, Vaughan continues this pursuit of dependability using modern technology.  In-house 3-dimensional computer solid modeling design allows Vaughan to create exacting fits and precision castings for all components.  Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis allows Vaughan to look closely at flow patterns and velocities within the pump, and develop premium efficiency design upgrades.  Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) automated machining creates exacting parts repetition and dependable fits with every pump.

Building a legend does take time.  Dependably chopping and pumping heavy solids doesn't happen overnight.  It takes years of product development and improvement, and years of proven field experience to earn the title of "Legend".