How Vaughan Company’s 65-Year Legacy Still Shapes Pump Innovation
/Four generations of ingenuity, grit, and relentless improvement helped to build Vaughan Company into a global leader in chopper pumps and hydraulic mixing solutions.
By Michelle Segrest, Navigate Content, Inc., — Reporting on the Industry
In 1960, Jim Vaughan asked a simple but powerful question: “What could make this better?”
That mindset drove the creation of the world’s first chopper pump and laid the foundation for Vaughan Company—an innovation-led, family-run manufacturer headquartered in Elma, Washington. Today, Vaughan is a global provider of rugged, American-made pump and mixing systems, trusted by municipal, agricultural, and industrial users alike.
But the company’s greatest achievement may not be its 40 patents or global footprint. It’s how Vaughan has stayed true to its core values across four generations—values like hard work, integrity, and continuous improvement.
A Welder’s Vision Sparks a Revolution
Jim Vaughan, a shipyard welder-turned-entrepreneur, first built his invention to help local dairy farmers battling clogged manure pumps. His solution—a pump with a chopping mechanism—solved the problem at its core.
Soon, he was towing a demo unit across the Pacific Northwest, showcasing the chopper pump at trade shows. It wasn’t long before Vaughan Company was born, rooted in innovation and powered by purpose.
“Great Grandpa’s goal was just to sell a pump over the Cascade Mountains,” says Derek Vaughan, Jim’s great-grandson and the company’s current president. “Now, our pumps solve problems on six continents.”
Building a Business Around Engineering – Larry Vaughan’s Expansion Era
When milk prices crashed in the 1970s, Jim’s son Larry knew the business needed to evolve. His answer? Hire an engineer.
That hire—Glenn Dorsch—would help transform Vaughan from a small fabrication shop into an engineering powerhouse. Together, Larry and Glenn redesigned pumps for cast manufacturing, standardized machining processes, and introduced innovations like the spring-loaded mechanical seal.
Larry also built the company’s sales rep network and took Vaughan into new markets—including Europe—laying the foundation for global growth.
“He was Big Larry,” recalls Stefanie Vaughan, Larry’s granddaughter and the company’s marketing director. “He had great one-liners and a powerful presence in the shop. Everyone listened when he spoke.”
Scaling Up with Smarter Manufacturing – Dale Vaughan’s Modernization
By the time Dale Vaughan took over in 2001, the company was poised for exponential growth—and he delivered. Under Dale’s leadership, Vaughan tripled its sales, expanded its facility by 100,000 square feet, and invested in advanced CNC machining.
“Dad had a gift for identifying underserved markets,” Derek says. “He created our business development team to go after those opportunities.”
Dale also co-developed the Rotamix® hydraulic mixing system—a major innovation for sludge handling in municipal treatment plants. Even today, Dale works half-days on the shop floor, supporting quoting and production with unmatched expertise.
A Fourth Generation Builds the Future
Now led by Derek and Stefanie Vaughan, the fourth generation is writing the next chapter. Their leadership blends time-honored family values with modern thinking and community engagement.
“We’ve always believed in growing people from within,” Derek says. “Whether someone shares our last name or not, they’re part of the Vaughan family.”
That culture is backed by action. Vaughan remains one of the largest family-owned employers in Elma (population 4,000), and job openings routinely draw dozens of applicants.
“People want to be part of what we’re building,” Stefanie adds.
Custom Solutions, Not Just Pumps
Today, Vaughan offers more than just chopper pumps. It’s a full-service solutions provider with in-house engineering, 3D modeling, and a growing product portfolio that includes centrifugal mixers and the latest generation of high-GPM pumps for biogas and dairy applications.
The company’s commitment to quality is backed by its BABA (Build America, Buy America) compliance, domestic supply chains, and a 140,000 sq. ft. production facility stocked with $10 million in inventory for rapid delivery.
“If you have a problem, call us,” Stefanie says. “We’ll help you fix it.”
While Vaughan’s reach is global, its roots remain deeply local. Many employees have worked there for decades. One beloved team member—“Auntie Pat”—still comes in at age 84. Cousins, siblings, and extended family fill key roles across the organization.
“It’s always been about family—whether by blood or bond,” Derek says.
The company also partners with local schools to promote trade careers and trains its people across departments to ensure deep institutional knowledge.
Innovation with Integrity
For Vaughan, innovation doesn’t come at the expense of values. Its leaders believe you can evolve while staying true to who you are.
“You can honor tradition and still grow,” Stefanie says. “We’re pushing forward, but never forgetting where we came from.”
Vaughan’s leadership emphasizes employee development, lean manufacturing, and sustainability. Its R&D team continuously refines designs to improve efficiency, reduce energy use, and meet the evolving needs of industries like wastewater, agriculture, and energy.
As the company looks to the future, its mission is simple: keep improving.
“Grandpa Jim would be proud of what we’ve built,” Derek reflects. “But more than anything, he’d be proud that the integrity is still there.”
Stefanie agrees. “He started this company to solve a problem—and we’re still doing that, every day.”
A Legacy Forged in Steel, Fueled by Vision
For 65 years, Vaughan Company has stood as a testament to what happens when hard work meets innovation—and when family values shape business decisions. What began with one man’s vision to solve a farmer’s problem has grown into a global operation with a deep commitment to quality, community, and continuous improvement.
Through each generation, Vaughan has evolved—not by abandoning its roots, but by building on them. Jim Vaughan’s inventive spirit, Larry’s business acumen, Dale’s drive for expansion, and the modern leadership of Derek and Stefanie form a rich tapestry of progress grounded in purpose. Together, they’ve transformed a local welding shop into a trusted solutions provider for some of the world’s toughest pumping applications.
Yet, even with its international reach and cutting-edge technology, Vaughan has never lost sight of what matters most—its people. Whether you share the Vaughan name or not, being part of this team means contributing to a mission bigger than any one individual: to improve, to serve, and to build something that lasts.
As the company looks toward the future, its foundation remains strong. Vaughan’s legacy isn’t just about pumps—it’s about solving problems, lifting others up, and honoring the timeless belief that you can stay true to your values while reaching for something greater. The next 65 years are already underway—and the best chapters are still to come.
Michelle Segrest is president of Navigate Content Inc., and has been a professional journalist for four decades. She specializes in creating content for the processing industries and has written books about Modern Manufacturing best practices. If you have an interesting efficiency, maintenance, and/or reliability story to tell, please contact her at michelle@navigatecontent.com.
