Industry News

Happy (almost) New Year’s Eve from Pump Products! It’s that time when we reflect on the events, achievements and memories of the past year and toast to the new year and new opportunities. What are you doing for the New Year I sincerely hope it is something fun with loved ones. Just don’t imbibe too much champagne! As for myself, I’ll be nursing a nice glass of whiskey, looking at old family photos and calling my ex-wife until she lets me see little Pumphead Junior again. Of course you could argue that all the hoopla is really meaningless. It’s just an arbitrary change of the calendar. You fools, you absolute fools! Another year closer to death. But of course, as with anything in life, the meaning comes from what you decide to invest in the occasion. Here are some great Pump Products memories and achievements of the 2017 year: --Held a totally rad cookout that drew dozens of hardcore pump fans --Partnered with excellent new manufacturers to distribute their quality products, including See Water Inc., Davey, Alderon and A.Y. McDonald --Maintained excellent relationships with our existing manufacturing partners, and even adding some new lines, such as the Grundfos SQ series submersible well pumps --Vastly increased our in-house stock of some of our best-selling pump manufacturers and series. More pumps in stock means customers will receive orders quicker --Conducted several in-depth training sessions with manufacturers to help our team members get a better understanding of specific products and how those products can help customers --Rated as an "Elite" merchant by customers through Resellers Ratings with a 9.03 score Those are just a few of the things I'm proud of from the past year. The other big part of New Year's is making resolutions regarding things you'd like to accomplish in the coming year. With that said, here are just a few of the resolutions of everyone at Pump Products: --Increase our response time to any and all customer inquiries --Continue to train and learn more about pumps --Reduce the amount of returns and warranty applications we receive --Obtain distribution rights for more pump lines and keep more pumps in stock in our warehouse Those are just some of the things we resolve. We're very proud of our services and we will always strive to get better. What about you Do you have any accomplishments from the last year that you're particularly proud of or resolutions you want to make Let us know in the comments! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Merry Christmas from PumpProducts.com! And a Happy Hanukkah to God’s chosen as well. We also want to wish you a quality Kwanzaa, a tip-top Tet and a solemn, dignified Ramadan (not until May, but still). Basically, we want you to enjoy the holiday season, whether you’re gathering together with loved ones, observing ancient religious customs or simply enjoying some quiet reflective time alone. All those afore mentioned things are great, but what we really want to talk about is DEALS baby! This is by far the biggest shopping stretch of the year and if you're anything like me, you've postponed your Christmas shopping to the eleventh hour and you're scrambling to find something good. Some popular gift choices include: -Electronic gizmo that neither of your parents can comprehend or use -Book that is distantly related to your significant other's chosen field or hobby -The gift card, the last refuge of a scoundrel and a sure sign you've given up (a personal favorite) -A scarf, I guess Buy why bother with such trinkets that will be quickly discarded or never even used Why not buy the people you love something practical, something that will last Why not get them a PUMP This year, give your family the gift of pumps. To wit, some recommendations. Is your dad always worrying about the reliability of his basement sump pump  Well Liberty has you covered and makes excellent sump pumps. Liberty pumps come with a two-year warranty as opposed to the standard one-year policy. Liberty stands by its products. If high head is your wastewater worry, might I humbly suggest one of the Zoeller varietals Zoeller does good work in this area and the Zoeller 160 series and Zoeller 180 series are particular standouts. Of course it's still circulator season and if hot water is what you need, look no further than the industry best selling Taco-007 cartridge circulator. It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up. So now that I've given some recommendations, here is what you've been waiting for: the precious coupon codes. Use christmas5 to receive $5 off of any order and use christmas10 to receive $10 off of any order of $100 or more. Codes are active until 01/02/2018. I'm in a generous spirit this year. Enjoy your pumps and enjoy the holidays! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Pump Products is now carrying pump control products and accessories from Alderon Industries. Based out of Hawley, MN, Alderon is a growing company that manufactures control panels, float switches and liquid level switches. “Alderon serves the OEM market, the commercial, and residential market, and special application needs of our customers,” according to the company’s website. The two main categories of products now being distributed are water level alarms, and sewage pump control panels. The most notable alarm type is Alderon’s innovative and versatile Versa’Larm series which can be used in a wide variety of application settings, including septic tanks, sump pits, holding tanks, water tanks, etc., as well as in condensate applications with a dry lead. The Versa’larm 4X series is rated Type 4X for outdoor use with a tank and is waterproof against pressurized wash-downs. Many of the Versa’larm alarms include an auto-reset that automatically resets the buzzer when the alarm conditions clear. The Check It series of control panels can be used for sewage/wastewater applications and includes a thermoplastic enclosure NEMA/4X rated for indoor/outdoor use. Common features on this control panel include alarm flashes, control circuit breakers, indicator lights, and auxiliary contacts. Float switches are not included; both simplex and duplex models are available. “We’re all really excited to add another quality control manufacturer to our repertoire,” Pump Products application engineer Lee says. “It’s an increasingly big part of our business and customers are more sophisticated than ever about getting the right controls for their pumping systems.” Pump Products is also looking to do training with Alderon Industries to better understand the products and communicate the value to customers. Stay tuned for more! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Happy Thanksgiving from Pump Products! Thanksgiving, also known as "Turkey Day" and "The Day of Tolerating Your Relatives", is my personal favorite holiday of the year. Why you ask Simply because it is not overly commercialized, it is not sanctimonious or boring, and it does not require you to shell out money for overpriced wares for people you don't even like. You just show up, maybe bring a casserole, and some whiskey, eat and hang out with your family. It's a very simple and straightforward celebration. Thanksgiving is not inherently political either. Sure people joke about getting in fights with your relatives over politics, but overall there is no political meaning to the holiday itself. Of course, many people use the holiday to reflect on the brutal treatment of Native American tribes over the last few hundred years, but hey, at least the original Thanksgiving was peaceful and symbolized the potential for friendship, however much that potential ended up being wasted. Since Thanksgiving doesn't saturate everyday life with annoying songs, jingles, decorations and ads,it is basically just a long weekend. That's why I'm going to spend mine relaxing, eating, and throwing the 'ol "pigskin" around with my son (if the ex-Mrs. Pumphead lets me see him!). I'll probably also make some time doing a little plumbing and water system work, because that's just what I do! So enjoy! And watch our staff video below: What do you like most about Thanksgiving What's your favorite food or family tradition Let us know in the comments. Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability, and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Happy Halloween from Inspector Pumphead and all of us at Pump Products! Now, if you’re a childless young-ish adult, you may have already had your Halloween celebrations on Saturday.  You may have Instagrammed your ironic, edgy or topical costume to gain a paltry amount of "likes" before waking up in a hungover haze on Sunday. However, Halloween is really a holiday designed to let little kids eat candy and it is today, October 31. But what is the history behind Halloween History Most historians generally agree that the strongest historical influence for Halloween is the various pagan folk festivals celebrated by the Celts. Many of these festivals marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the "darker half" of the year or winter. Rituals and games associated with the future and death were popular. People often went house-to-house in a costume, singing songs in exchange for food. This was known as "mumming" and is the precedent for trick-or-treating. Later celebrations were influenced by the European Christian celebration of "All Hallows' Eve," in which the faithful would often dress as saints or martyrs in an act of commemoration. The spirit of that holy commemoration is now represented by people dressing up like The Joker. Halloween Creep Do you feel like people have been talking about or celebrating Halloween since basically late September You're not alone in noticing the proliferation of what has been termed "Halloween Creep" after the similarly named concept "Christmas Creep." The website Consumerist took note of the phenomenon last year when a reader wrote in about seeing Halloween decorations for sale in July. Of course, after today, expect to see Christmas decorations and hear "All I Want for Christmas Is You" everywhere you go. It's part of the relentless, insatiable march of capitalism where we must be given things to buy and consume. So enjoy I guess. Popular Costumes for 2017 Besides your standard variety of zombies, witches, werewolves, or vampires, look for a lot of Pennywise the Clown from It or variations thereof. Also: Belle (from Beauty and the Beast), Wonder Woman, Donald Trump and anything from Stranger Things and Game of Thrones. People really like dressing up as their favorite characters from popular culture. Who knew Think About This Guys. I'm here to red-pill you all. You've never heard the actual Monster Mash. You've just heard a record about the Monster Mash. Yeah. — Lawrence Miles (@Lawrence_Miles) October 8, 2017 Yeah. Fun Fact According to USA Today, Americans will spend close to $15 billion USD on Halloween this year. The spending includes costumes, candy and decorations. That's bigger than the GDP of Jamaica, and most of that spending will be done by millennials. Darn millennials - get your priorities in order! Happy Halloween! Enjoy your candy responsibly and don't forget to book a dentist appointment. Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today. 

The leaves are falling, the wind is blowing and the night darkness seems to come earlier and earlier everyday. You know what that means: it's fall and also time for MLB's World Series, also known as the Fall Classic. The best-of-seven series is always a special part of the American sports calendar and has produced some of the most seminal and memorable moments in sports. After a 162 game regular season and two playoff rounds, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Houston Astros have emerged triumphant as the representatives of their respective leagues. For the Dodgers, "The Best Team Money Can Buy," this World Series appearance was a long time coming. The well-heeled team has cultivated a (perhaps unfair) reputation as a bunch of overpaid chokers as they flamed out to arguably less talented teams. This year, however, the boys in blue have powered past any doubts, dismissing the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS and then making the defending champion Chicago Cubs old news in the NLCS. It's been a long wait for loyal Dodgers fans, who have been waiting since 1988 to see their team in the World Series. That's right - one of the proudest, richest franchises in baseball hasn't been to the game's biggest stage in over a quarter century.  That was the year of the "I don't believe what I JUST saw!" Kirk Gibson home run to boot. The Astros have been to the World Series more recently (2005) but that was a completely different organization with a different identity - they were still in the National League. Houston has had an interesting trajectory the last few years. The organization intentionally put bad teams on the field in an effort to stockpile high draft picks. Then armed with young stars, Houston went from bad to good very quickly. Amazingly, the rebuild is right on schedule; Sports Illustrated even ran a cover story in 2014 predicting that the Astros would win the World Series this year. And after thumping the Boston Red Sox and narrowly surviving in seven games against the Yankees, they look ready to fulfill the prophecy. MLB's postseason format has often resulted in wild card teams and regular season underachievers reaching the World Series. But we have two juggernauts clashing this year. Indeed it is the first World Series to feature two 100-win teams since 1970. It should be quite a show. Hitting In the postseason, the Dodgers have largely been driven by the hot bats of Justin Turner and Yasiel Puig. Turner is a former Mets castoff while Puig has gone from future star to malcontent washout to solid contributor in the span of a few years. Turner and Puig have perhaps taken some of the pressure of young Dodgers' stars like Corey Seager, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor. The Astros are powered by likely MVP and fan favorite, Jose Altuve. The 5'6" Altuve's diminutive stature, in comparison to other major leaguers, has always been the source of entertainment, but recently it's his dominant play that's drawing more attention. He's backed up by budding Puerto Rican superstar Carlos Correa. George Springer, Alex Bregman, Evan Gattis and Josh Reddick round out things for Houston. Edge: Push Pitching Two of the best pitchers of recent generations are the headliners. Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers) keeps cementing his claim as maybe the greatest, most dominant pitcher of all time. Justin Verlander (Astros) has shown remarkable resilience, returning to form after it looked like he was past his best at the tail end of his stint with the Detroit Tigers. His clutch game seven performance against the Yankees, in the ALCS, was key to the Astros hopes. These two superstars won't matchup until a possible game 5 or later if at all; same goes for second line stars Yu Darvish (Dodgers) and Dallas Keuchel (Astros). But which pitcher starts isn't as important these days; it's all about bullpen management now. Here, the Dodgers have a clear edge: Kenley Jansen might be the best closer in basebal,l and the other bullpen stalwarts (Tony Watson, Brandon Morrow, Tony Cingrani, Josh Fields) are pretty good as well. Houston has no such answer and their starters have generally thrown more pitches, and pitched more innings, than other postseason teams' starters. Big Edge: Dodgers The Pumphead Pick: Dodgers in Seven Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Happy Columbus Day from all of us at Pump Products! If you’re one of the lucky ones to have the day off, congratulations! I sincerely hope you’re spending it doing errands or relaxing on the couch and not… you know, pillaging and murdering. If you find that statement confusing or shocking, allow me to explain. As the famous children’s mnemonic goes, “In 1492/Columbus sailed the ocean blue.” According to popular myth, Europeans in the 15th century assumed that the world was flat and the only route to Asia - and its many treasures, such as spice and gold - was to sail East. Columbus proposed that a western route to Asia could be found and through nerve and daring, eventually found his way to America, thereby discovering that the world was round. In reality, most of the educated populace of the time understood that the earth was a globe.  While Columbus is the discoverer of the landmass of “America” in the popular imagination, in reality he first landed in what would today be called the Bahamas and later the island of Hispaniola. Perhaps those islands are technically grouped with North America in continental classifications, but most people today would think of “The Caribbean” as its own entity. Moreover, Columbus was probably not the first European explorer to land in the general vicinity. Norse explorer Leif Erikson landed in North America in approximately 1001 - nearly 500 years before Columbus! Columbus is not really a man worth celebrating. He and his men were absolutely brutal to the native tribes they encountered. Scores were enslaved, women were raped and many were straight up murdered, with some explorers actually hunting natives for sport. Smallpox and other diseases were introduced to the New World, killing many more. In all, conservative estimates place the death toll at over 3 million and many historians have to come to label Columbus’s expedition a genocidal act. So uh, why do we celebrate this guy again As with many holidays, customs and rituals, the answer is political. The anniversary of the 1492 landing had been celebrated at various points, but it was the work of Italian-American activists, such as the Knights of Columbus, that really kick started the movement in the early 1900s. The activists were looking to consecrate a day to celebrate an Italian role model, for assimilation purposes and to combat the anti-Italian and anti-immigrant bigotry that was prevalent in American society at the time. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt declared Columbus Day a federal holiday in 1934 after much lobbying. Today, many businesses and school districts celebrate with a day off. Columbus Day Parades are also popular in many municipalities. Today, as a clearer picture of Columbus the man emerges, the holiday has become somewhat controversial. Many municipalities choose to celebrate Indigenous People's Day in honor of those who suffered and lost so much to Columbus and colonialism. It will be interesting to see what changes, if any, occur with the holiday as more people come to understand what they are celebrating. Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.

Happy October sports fans! It’s time for some baseball, the grand old game and the true gentleman’s pastime!  Specifically, it’s time for the MLB playoffs in the run up to the World Series later this month. The AL Wild Card Game is tonight, while the NL Wild Card game is tomorrow (Wednesday). If you’ve seen those incessant commercials, you know that “OCTOBER. MEANS. BASEBALL.” The baseball regular season is long (162 games!) and grueling but waiting for the playoffs is the hardest part. But now, the playoffs are here and that means every pitch, every hit and every out means so much more. 10 teams enter and only one team will emerge victorious. A quick reminder on the format of these games, which are the same in both leagues.  A one game wild card playoff will determine which team advances to the LDS to play the league’s top seed, while the other two division winners face off. The winners of the LDS advance to the LCS and the winners of the LCS advance to the World Series. Each LDS is a best of five, while both the LCS and World Series are best of seven. See here for the full TV schedule and how to watch: https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-postseason-schedule-heres-watch-192246831.html Let’s dive into the previews. AL Wild Card Game: Minnesota Twins @ New York Yankees Since 2002, the Twins have played 123 games against the Yankees… and have won 33 of them. In case you’re not good at math, I can tell you that is not a very good record. Still, anything can happen in a one-game situation so it wouldn’t be too surprising to see the Twins win. Minnesota is one of the best stories of this MLB season, having performed one of the largest turnarounds in sports history after going 59-103 in 2016. The Twins are the first team to ever reach the postseason after losing at least 100 games the previous year. As for the Yankees The team won 91 games in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Aaron Judge has become a Paul Bunyon-esque figure and the brightest young star in the game. Judge who is quite good at smashing the ball, having hit 52 home runs (or “dongers”) over the course of the season, also recorded a staggering 127 walks. Everyone knows the famous New York saying “eyy, I’m walkin’ here!”, and that was Judge this season. ALDS Cleveland Indians vs. Wild Card Winners Cleveland has set the modern baseball record of consecutive games won during this season with 22. The Indians also have perhaps the best pitching staff in recent memory. They are heavy favorites to win the AL. Houston Astros vs. Boston Red Sox The Astros might just be the most overlooked 101-winning team in MLB history. Houston’s hot start at the beginning of the season was overshadowed by the Dodgers’ even hotter start. The Astros leveled off and continued to play good baseball throughout the season but by then all the attention was on Cleveland’s winning streak. With MVP favorite Jose Altuve leading the way, the Astros have chance to retake control of the narrative. The Red Sox are mostly known for having the most obnoxious fan-base in baseball. Everyone else is hoping for Boston to lose quickly and make way for better, more interesting teams. NL Wild Card Game: Colorado Rockies @ Arizona Diamondbacks Pity the poor Rockies and Diamondbacks. Both franchises are relatively new, and despite numerous on-field successes, have struggled to capture the imagination of the greater baseball public. In 2017, both teams were two of the best in the NL - but played in the West and were left in the dust by the Dodgers juggernaut. Now they play each other in a one game, do or die scenario where the winner gets the privilege of playing the sacrificial lamb to, who else, the Dodgers. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Wild Card Winners The best team that money can buy, had one of the wildest MLB seasons in recent memory. The team roared out of the gate and just would not stop winning. By mid-July they were 66-29 and already drawing comparisons to some of the most dominant teams in history, such as the ‘84 Tigers, ‘84 Mets and ‘98 Yankees. At one point, they had won a ridiculous 44 out of 51 games. Then in late August, it happened. The Dodgers lost one game, the another and then another after that. Over a two-and-a-half week stretch, the Dodgers lost 16 of the 17 games, which included 11 in a row at one point. It looked like they were in danger of free fallin’ out into nothing. It was one of the worst stretches in franchise history and the Dodgers suddenly looked like one of the worst teams in the majors. It was baffling and although the team eventually straighten out the ship and finished a more than respectable 104-58.  This losing streak cast a pall over what was once an unreservedly joyous season and it has to linger in the back of the mind for weary Dodgers fans. Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Hey remember these guys 2016 sure was fun! After the historic and long awaited World Series triumph, the Cubs seemed to be suffering from a bit of a hangover. And who could blame them They won the franchise’s first championship in over a 100 years, so of course a little “basking in the afterglow” would happen. Still, the team deserves credit for holding off the Brewers and reestablishing themselves as the class of the NL Central. Now they can pursue another championship without all the historical baggage. And the Nats As always, injuries seem to be holding them back from reaching their true potential. After missing much of the season, Bryce Harper is reportedly back for the playoffs and Max Scherzer’s hamstring injury apparently isn’t a big deal… but man, is there a bigger bummer of a team or what Washington has had “name” talent for so many years but the organization has never been able to put it all together in the same year to make a defining run. It’s hard not to feel like the window has closed. Anyway, we will have to wait and see who takes the title.  Go Yankees! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800 to speak to an expert today.

Happy Labor Day from Inspector Pumphead and Pump Products! We all sincerely hope you’re enjoying your day off, because you’ve earned it. Labor Day is typically thought as the unofficial “end of summer” and the start of autumn and the new school year (technically the first day of fall is Sept. 22). The three day weekend offers one last chance for a summer getaway, family barbecue or just a chance to not worry about work. Many school districts across the country start the school year on the Tuesday after Labor Day specifically to boost internal tourism to places such as amusement parks. Labor Day weekend often signals the start of football season as well. This year, college football kicked off with the massive Florida State vs. Alabama game on Saturday, while the NFL traditionally kicks off the Thursday after Labor Day. Apparently, it is also an important day in the fashion world as well, as it is considered gauche or déclassé to wear white after Labor Day. I wouldn’t know - I always have on my white lab coat, even when I’m plumbing! But aside from the association with beach trips, barbecues and sports, Labor Day actually has a fascinating and important history. People often think the weekend is about actually doing labor, as the name suggests. It is actually meant to be a celebration of trade unions and the labor movement, and by extension, all the workers of the world. If you are a longtime follower of our holiday blogs, you know that the history of American holidays often follow a similar path with many disparate groups holding commemorations according to their own calendar. Inevitably, external forces push toward a more unified holiday date. The history of Labor Day is no different. In the 1880s and 1890s, many in the labor movement began advocating for such a day on the U.S. calendar and May 1 was a popular choice. But then-President Grover Cleveland feared that a celebration in early May would be too strongly associated with the Haymarket Affair which took place on May 3-4, 1886. The Haymarket Affair started when workers in Illinois gathered in Haymarket Square in Chicago to strike for an eight-hour workday. Several strikers were killed by police and the next day a bomb was thrown into a crowd, killing both protesters and police. Several anarchists were eventually tried and convicted of the crime. So naturally, Cleveland wanted to distance the new labor day from Haymarket. But he still needed the support of the unions, so he supported the creation of a September Labor Day in 1887. Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a public holiday but it did not become a federal holiday until 1894 after the Pullman Strike. That strike was started by the American Railway Union against the Pullman Company, the railways and the federal government to protest reduced wages and unfair working conditions. The strike eventually turned violent and resulted in the deaths of 30 workers (with many more wounded) at the hands of the U.S. Marshals and the Army. Eugene Debs, the main organizer of the strike, was sentenced to prison. In an effort to bring about a sense of reconciliation with the trade unions, President Cleveland and Congress designated Labor Day as an official federal holiday soon after the strike. This fascinating history is rarely brought up when Labor Day rolls around. But now you know! So while you’re enjoying your day off, don’t forget to raise a glass to the workers who fought and died for your labor rights such as lunch breaks, weekends, the eight hour workday and this unique federal holiday in September. Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, stocking availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.

It’s time for The U.S. Open of Tennis! In addition to being the tennis Major of North America, the U.S. Open is also one of the most important sports events to take place in Queens and is critical to the borough, especially if the Mets stink (so, usually). Every year, the final major of the year is held at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center complex, with the main court featuring at Arthur Ashe Stadium. All the biggest matches, including both the men’s and women’s final, are held at Arthur Ashe. With its fast hard courts and vibrant crowd (often including many New York-based celebrities), the U.S. Open easily distinguishes itself from the more formal Wimbledon and the slow clay court based French Open. This year’s draw promises to provide some interest. Roger Federer’s magical comeback mystery tour rolls along, as the now 36 year old continues to defy tennis history and known sports biology by continuing to play at an elite level. Part of the secret is simply rest of course, as Federer has withdrawn from more tournaments to stay fresh. Still, the fact that he is the favorite heading into the Open at his age is a marvel. Tennis used to be ruled by prodigies in their late teens and early 20s. No longer. Federer has tough draw and could potentially have to get through other bright lights such as Nick Kyrgios, Dominic Thiem and longtime rival Rafael Nadal just to reach the semifinals. While Nadal has not been in quite the same form as Federer over the past few tournaments, he does have the easier path and might be the safer bet. With Andy Murray sitting out due to injury, Nadal and Federer will supply most of the veteran star power. It will be interesting to see if any of the young guns can step up to the challenge. Also keep an eye on relative newcomer Alexander Zverev. Over on the women’s side, all eyes are on Maria Sharapova who is returning to the game after a 15-month drug suspension.  Sharapova only made it as a wildcard and the U.S. Open will be her first major back.  Long layoffs can be killer for tennis players, so it will be interesting to see how she plays. Even with her time away from the game, Sharapova is still the biggest woman star and will draw the lion’s share of the attention. Garbiñe Muguruza is coming off her Wimbledon win and has been playing the best tennis of her life all year. The smart money is still on Muguruza, but top seed Karolina Pliskova, Angelique Kerber and Simona Halep (who opens against Sharapova) are all lurking. It should be quite a corker. All in all, the U.S. Open is one of the premier tennis events in the world and in one of the greatest cities in the world. Don’t pass up the chance to go to a match if you’re in the area!

It's time for the last Major golf tournament of the year, the PGA Championship. While this tournament may not have the history and prestige of The Masters or The (British) Open, it still an important event for the top golfers to round out their Major season, while many young up-and-comers will look to make their mark. This year's Championship will take place at the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina. This is the club's first hosted Major and the quality of the course has been questioned privately by some golfers and caddies, as is often the case with many first time venues. Of course, part of the challenge of golf is adapting to the challenges and vagaries of each specific course. All eyes at this year's tournament will be on British Open winner Jordan Spieth. Spieth is perhaps the most popular young golfer in the world, and his win at the Open may have quelled any doubts about his ability to bounce back after the adversity he experienced last season. The PGA Championship represents the chance for Spieth to complete the career Grand Slam (winning all four Major tournaments) at only 24 years old. If successful, he would complete the Slam at a younger age than Jack Nicklaus as well as Tiger Woods, too. Could Rory McIlroy be the one standing in his way Many of the betting crowd are predicting a collision course between the two bright young stars. McIlroy is in an interesting place; still good and respected, but not quite as dominant as some in the golf community think he is capable of being. Could the PGA Championship have a rejuvenating effect on him, the way the Open seemingly did for Spieth It will be fascinating to find out. While Spieth and McIlroy may be the main draws, there is always plenty of intrigue at any Major - one merely has to go back through the history of golf to find instances where the favorites falter and someone surprising or unexpected rises to take the place. Could that happen this year The only way to find out is to watch! Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.

Pump Products has greatly expanded its stock of products from partner company A.Y. McDonald Mfg. Co.  A.Y. McDonald's is one of the most reputable manufacturers of pumps, parts and accessories in the U.S.  Pump Products web administrators have been hard at work to add new items to the online store catalog.  One of the most prominent new additions is A.Y. McDonald’s well known line of jet pumps. These include standard shallow well pumps (for wells with water tables of 25 ft. or less), multi-stage jet pumps for extra power and convertible jet pumps which can service both shallow and deep wells. Of course to convert the jet pump between applications, you need the proper fittings and Pump Products carries ejector packages for both shallow and deep wells. Other new products include the DuraMac booster system package for light commercial and irrigation use. The system can shut the pump down when no flow is detected. A.Y. McDonald’s “Super Booster” series centrifugal pumps are also popular items among customers.  Folks, the only thing we don’t sell from A.Y. McDonald’s is Happy Meals. But we can give you happy deals - on pumps! Of course it’s a lot of hard work adding new products to the website which is why dedicated staff members pour over technical manuals, decipher charts and graphs and take the time to communicate with the manufacturer. “We’re happy and excited to introduce more A.Y. McDonald’s pumps to customers and give them the right information for their application” according to Pump Products web associate Jackie. “I especially love looking over the curves and writing out the specs.” Pump Products will continue to add more products from a wide variety of the top manufacturers in the business to better serve customers in the residential, commercial and industrial markets. Pump Products application engineers are standing by to help you find the right pump, as well as to provide price quotes, availability and shipping information. Call our toll free number 1-800-429-0800.