PORT ORANGE, FL — Thompson Pump and Manufacturing Company is honored to be recognized with two top Florida business awards—University of Florida’s 2024 Gator100 Honoree and GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch 2023 Honoree.
Thompson Pump’s more than 50 years of experience in manufacturing heavy-duty bypass and dewatering pumps have earned the company a reputation for high-quality pumping equipment, innovation and entrepreneurship. It’s these qualities and achievements that exemplify the spirit of The Gator Nation® and led the UF Alumni Association to recognize the company as a Gator100, one of the world’s fastest-growing Gator-owned businesses.
Florida Founded
Spending his formative years at UF as a Section Advisor in Murphree Area, a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and a member of the Army Reserves, Founder and Chairman Bill Thompson graduated in 1970 and immediately built Thompson Pump with his father and brother. In 1999, his son Chris Thompson, who was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity, graduated from UF and joined this family-owned and operated Gator business. He now leads the company in full-service manufacturing and selling its pumps throughout the country and the world, and in being recognized as a Blue-Chip company, a Florida Top 100 and Manufacturer of the Year. Also, leading Thompson Pump is Vice President Bobby Zitzka, a 2000 UF graduate, and Municipal Sales Manager David Perry, a UF 2004 grad.
“It is an honor to be a part of the Gator100; I’ve been a lifelong Gator, so this recognition is particularly meaningful,” said Chris Thompson, President of Thompson Pump. “We are a team made up of several UF alumni, who have helped the company grow over its 54 years, from a small operation to now with more than 100 employees and selling our pumps across more than 50 countries around the world.”
Thompson Pump will officially receive the honor during the Gator100 10th Anniversary Celebration next month. See the full list of Gator100 businesses, including Thompson Pump, at gator100.ufl.edu/home.
Commitment to Community
Thompson Pump is also honored to be named one of the esteemed 50 companies selected as a GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch 2023 Honoree. The program honors impressive second-stage companies throughout Florida for developing valuable products and services, creating quality jobs, enriching communities, and broadening new industries. Thompson Pump’s commitment to Florida and the positive impact it has on the communities it serves and the industry itself exemplify why it was chosen from more than 550 nominations as a finalist.
To learn more visit more, visit thompsonpump.com.