“Up until a few years ago, the average person didn’t think much about their pumping equipment,” says PumpExpress.com’s pump product expert Craig McCrickard. “If you lived in a flood zone you might check on your sump pump in the spring but that’s about it. The megastorms we’ve seen in recent years changed that, particularly in hard hit areas like the Northeast. Today homeowners are not only looking for reliable sump pumps but also back-up systems that will kick in if the power goes out.”

McCrickard is part of a team assembled to raise the bar on what on-line pump shoppers are offered in terms of selection and information. The new venture will incorporate best practices used by veteran on-line retailers including pull-down menus, shopper reviews and buyers guides into an easy-to-use shopping site devoted to pumps, repair parts and accessories. A limited selection of electric motors and generators will also be offered.

“There’s been a lot of opportunity for road testing during the last few years with several manufacturers emerging as clear leaders.” says McCrickard. “Zoeller, Liberty Pumps and PHCC Pro Series are the three main wastewater pump manufacturers we’ll be focusing on. We plan to offer their sump, sewage and effluent pumps as stand-alone units and packaged systems. BJM puts out a great line of shredder pumps that we’ll be introducing a lot of customers to.”

The new site will also offer pumps for the full range of domestic non-wastewater applications including HVAC, recirculation and irrigation.

“The main thing that distinguishes PumpPoduct.com from Pump Express, our flagship site, is a shopping cart,” says General Manager Ed Drejman. “PumpExpress.com will continue to provide essential pump sizing and selection services to the commercial and industrial clients who require it, while PumpProducts.com will cater to the on-line shopper who has a pretty good idea of what he or she needs and is primarily interested in getting a quality pump at the best price.”

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“Every time we get one of these storms we learn about what customers are looking for and what the best products to serve their needs are, not just during the storm, but after as well,” says Pump Express Sales Manager Fred Hettinger.

Many homeowners who would have put off installing battery back-up pumps in their basements prior to the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene last year took the plunge in the aftermath and were on point for Sandy.

“Before the storm we sold a lot of deep cycle batteries for battery back-up pumps,” says Hettinger. “We typically increase our stock of these items in the spring and fall so we were able to meet customer demand.”

Power outages across New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have raised the profile of battery-powered backup pumps and water-powered back-up pumps are gaining popularity in areas with municipal water supplies. Hettinger affirms that meeting the demand for battery and water-powered models will be a priority in the coming year.

“After the storm we had a lot of people calling for trash pumps so that’s another item we’ll be keeping in stock,” says Hettinger. “They’re used when large amounts of water need to be removed from roads, buildings and basements and they’re gas operated so you don’t need electricity to run them. I’m also stocking 50-foot, 2-inch fire hoses which are good for dewatering basements and 25-foot plastic corrugated hoses which a lot of people will attach to a second sump pump to assist the primary pump in pumping water from a residential basement.”

A problem associated with megastorm rains is water flowing into homes faster than consumer-grade sump pumps can operate. In light of the recent rise in storm frequency and intensity, growing numbers of residents are exploring heavier-duty pumps.

“We have a number of good products that we’re carrying now,” says Hettinger. “In the primary pump market we’re using a lot of Liberty pumps which are all cast iron and have an epoxy coating that resists oxidation. Pro Series manufactures a great product for the customer who’s looking for a turn-key product that’s both a primary pump and a battery back up pump. Their battery-back up pumps typically move 2-3 times the amount of water that a standard battery back-up pump does. For the customer who’s looking for a permanently-installed commercial grade dewatering system which ranges anywhere from ¾ to 15 horsepower, we stock heavy-duty
Liberty and Zoeller pumps. Above that we get into our larger dewatering pumps of which we have all kinds.”

“As for entirely new products” Hettinger says, “We’re exploring large pump rentals, including 4-inch and 6-inch trailer-mounted pumps.”

For more information on these and other pumps visit our website: www.pumpexpress.com or call  1-800-298-4100.

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Pump Express now sizes and sells Pro Series Pumps, a line of high-efficiency sump and sewage pumps that brings industrial-grade performance to the residential market. In addition to being energy smart and cost-effective, Pro Series pumps feature a patented sensor design with a peerless ability to monitor pump and power conditions and sound an alert when a problem is detected. Each model is offered in a good, better and best class tailor-fit to a homeowner’s needs. Pro Series’ Jack Kuper recently joined Pump Express Parts Expert Dave Perillo to introduce the line to Bergen County clients at a counter day held in our showroom.

For more information visit our website: www.pumpexpress.com or call 1-800-298-4100. 

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