Pleuger Industries GmbH

Pleuger Industries GmbH is a Hamburg-based German industrial manufacturer whose name is closely associated with water-filled submersible motors and multistage pump systems. The company was founded in 1929 by Friedrich Wilhelm Pleuger after he developed a glandless, or wet-rotor, motor intended to replace borehole shaft and piston-pump arrangements. In the design, water lubricates and cools the motor bearings, avoiding the oil-filled construction used by many earlier submersible motors. This made the technology particularly suitable for applications in which leakage or contamination could not be tolerated, including drinking-water supply. Pleuger’s technology gained broad acceptance during the 1930s. One early major installation took place during the expansion of the Berlin subway system in 1930, when directly coupled water-filled submersible motors were used to lower groundwater during construction. The company’s Berlin and Greitz facilities were damaged or destroyed during the Second World War. Friedrich Wilhelm Pleuger subsequently restarted operations in a small repair workshop in Hamburg-Altona. A new plant was established in Hamburg-Wandsbek in 1951, and the company’s headquarters were later associated with that site. The business expanded through a series of industrial partnerships and ownership changes. In the 1970s, Pleuger worked with the American technology company TRW to extend its geographic reach and exchange product and engineering capabilities. Dresser Industries acquired Pleuger from TRW in 1987, creating Dresser Pleuger GmbH and strengthening the company’s presence in drainage, irrigation, and offshore pumping. In 1989, Dresser Pleuger and Deutsch Worthington were combined to form Pleuger Worthington. The business later became part of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump in 1992. Flowserve acquired Pleuger in 2000, after which the business operated under the Flowserve Pleuger name. During this period, Pleuger continued developing high-efficiency submersible systems. The PMM6 permanent-magnet submersible pump, introduced in 2013, was presented as more efficient than its predecessor. In 2016, the company introduced the PMM8 submersible electric motor for use with variable-frequency drives, supporting more flexible control of pumping installations. Flacks Group acquired Pleuger from Flowserve in 2018. Since then, Pleuger has operated as an independent company within the Flacks Group portfolio. The company expanded its international footprint with a Moscow subsidiary in 2019 and a Singapore subsidiary in 2020. It also redeveloped its Aldrich subsidiary brand in 2021. The Russian subsidiary was closed in 2022, while the group established headquarters in Miami in the same year. Hamburg remains the company’s historic German base and principal identity. Pleuger products serve water supply and infrastructure, mining, energy, oil and gas, offshore, and renewable-energy applications. Product and project references include groundwater control, industrial pumping, mine dewatering, offshore systems, fountain installations, and other demanding environments. The company’s equipment has been used at locations and projects including the Moutoa Floodway, the Collahuasi mine, Montpellier, and Hamburg’s Alster fountain. At the Alsterfontäne, Pleuger pumping equipment has been associated with a 70-kilowatt fountain installation capable of moving approximately 180,000 litres of water per hour to a height of up to 60 metres. Permanent-magnet drive technology was installed there in 2018, and Pleuger provides ongoing maintenance in cooperation with the Binnenalster Foundation. The Pleuger name is also used generically in some industry contexts for water-filled motors combined with multistage pumps, reflecting the historical influence of the company’s technology. Its positioning is therefore based on specialist engineering heritage, submersible-drive expertise, energy efficiency, and suitability for critical water, industrial, and resource-sec…

Pleuger Industries traces its origins to 1929, when Friedrich Wilhelm Pleuger founded the business around his invention of a glandless water-filled motor. The motor used water rather than oil to cool and lubricate its bearings and was designed to replace borehole shaft and piston pumps. This architecture reduced the risk of oil contamination and made the equipment suitable for sensitive applications such as drinking-water supply. During the 1930s, Pleuger’s submersible motor and pump concept became widely accepted. In 1930, directly coupled water-filled motors were used to lower groundwater during construction associated with the expansion of the Berlin subway system. The company suffered major wartime disruption. Its plants in Berlin and Greitz were damaged or destroyed in 1945. After the war, Pleuger restarted in a small repair workshop in Hamburg-Altona. In 1951, it established a new plant in Hamburg-Wandsbek, which became the basis of its postwar industrial operations and helped anchor the company’s identity in Hamburg. During the 1970s, Pleuger cooperated with the American company TRW to enter additional regions and exchange products and technologies. Dresser Industries acquired Pleuger from TRW in 1987, creating Dresser Pleuger GmbH. Under Dresser ownership, the business expanded applications for its submersible pumps in drainage, irrigation, and offshore operations. In 1989, Dresser Pleuger merged with Deutsch Worthington to form Pleuger Worthington. The combined operation became part of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump in 1992. Flowserve acquired Pleuger in 2000, and the business subsequently operated as Flowserve Pleuger. Product development continued under this ownership. The company introduced the PMM6 permanent-magnet submersible pump in 2013 and the PMM8 submersible electric motor in 2016. These developments extended Pleuger’s emphasis on efficient electric drives and compatibility with variable-frequency control. In 2018, Flacks Group acquired Pleuger from Flowserve. Pleuger thereafter operated as an independent company within the Flacks Group structure. The company expanded its international organization with a Moscow subsidiary in 2019 and a Singapore subsidiary in 2020. In 2021, it redeveloped the Aldrich subsidiary brand. In 2022, Pleuger closed its Russian subsidiary and established group headquarters in Miami. Pleuger’s products are used across water infrastructure, mining, energy, oil and gas, offshore, and renewable-energy applications. Its equipment has been associated with groundwater management, mine dewatering, industrial fluid handling, and public fountain systems. A notable reference is Hamburg’s Alster fountain, where Pleuger equipment has supported a 70-kilowatt installation capable of pumping about 180,000 litres per hour to a height of up to 60 metres. Permanent-magnet drive technology was installed at the fountain in 2018, and Pleuger continues to provide annual maintenance in cooperation with the Binnenalster Foundation. The company’s historical influence extends beyond its product portfolio. In some markets, the Pleuger name is used as a generic term for water-filled motors paired with multistage pumps. This reflects the company’s pioneering role in submersible turbine pump motors and its long association with water-lubricated motor technology.

1. 2022Russian subsidiary closed and Miami headquarters established

   Pleuger closed its Russian subsidiary and established group headquarters in Miami.

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2. 2021Aldrich brand redevelopment

   Pleuger redeveloped its Aldrich subsidiary brand.

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3. 2020Singapore subsidiary established

   Pleuger opened a subsidiary in Singapore.

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4. 2019Moscow subsidiary established

   Pleuger established a subsidiary in Moscow.

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5. 2018Flacks Group acquisition

   Flacks Group acquired Pleuger from Flowserve, after which the business operated independently within the group.

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6. 2016PMM8 motor launched

   Pleuger launched the PMM8 submersible electric motor for variable-frequency-drive applications.

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7. 2013PMM6 introduced

   Pleuger introduced the PMM6 permanent-magnet submersible pump, described as more efficient than its predecessor.

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8. 2000Flowserve acquisition

   Flowserve acquired Pleuger, creating the Flowserve Pleuger operating identity.

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9. 1992Integration into Ingersoll-Dresser Pump

   Pleuger Worthington became part of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump.

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10. 1989Pleuger Worthington formed

    Dresser Pleuger GmbH merged with Deutsch Worthington to form Pleuger Worthington.

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11. 1987Dresser Industries acquisition

    Dresser Industries acquired Pleuger from TRW and formed Dresser Pleuger GmbH.

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12. 1970Technology and market cooperation with TRW

    During the 1970s, Pleuger partnered with TRW to pursue regional expansion and exchange products and technologies.

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13. 1951New Hamburg-Wandsbek plant established

    After restarting in Hamburg-Altona, Pleuger established a new plant in Hamburg-Wandsbek.

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14. 1945Wartime facilities damaged or destroyed

    Pleuger’s plants in Berlin and Greitz were damaged or destroyed during the Second World War.

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15. 1930Berlin subway groundwater-control installation

    Pleuger directly coupled water-filled submersible motors for groundwater lowering during Berlin subway expansion.

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16. 1929Company founded around a water-filled motor invention

    Friedrich Wilhelm Pleuger founded the company after developing a glandless motor using water to cool and lubricate its wet rotor and bearings.

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Specialist industrial engineering brand focused on submersible pumping, water-filled motor technology, permanent-magnet drives, and engineered fluid-handling systems for water, mining, energy, offshore, oil and gas, and renewable-energy applications.

• Submersible pumpsIndustrial pumps

  Pleuger’s core product family consists of submersible pumping systems for water supply, groundwater control, drainage, irrigation, mining, offshore, energy, and other industrial applications. The systems combine electric motors and pump stages in submerged configurations, allowing them to operate in wells, reservoirs, and other installations where conventional surface-driven arrangements may be less suitable.

• Water-filled submersible motorsElectric motors1929

  Pleuger pioneered glandless water-filled motors in which water cools and lubricates the motor components. Compared with oil-filled submersible designs, the technology was developed to reduce contamination concerns and support sensitive applications such as drinking-water delivery. These motors remain central to the company’s historical and technical positioning.

• Pleuger PMM6Permanent-magnet submersible pumps2013

  Introduced in 2013, the PMM6 is a permanent-magnet submersible pump developed to improve drive efficiency compared with an earlier generation. Permanent-magnet technology supports efficient electric-machine operation and is relevant to installations where energy consumption and controllability are important operating considerations.

• Pleuger PMM8Submersible electric motors2016

  The PMM8 submersible electric motor was introduced in 2016 for use with variable-frequency drives. Its intended role is to provide controllable motor operation in engineered pumping systems, enabling operators to adapt pump performance to changing flow, pressure, and process requirements.

• ThrustersMarine propulsion equipment

  Pleuger manufactures thrusters as part of its wider submersible electric-drive and fluid-handling portfolio. These systems serve marine and offshore applications where compact, submerged propulsion or maneuvering equipment is required.

• Plunger pumpsPositive-displacement pumps

  Plunger pumps form another part of Pleuger’s industrial pump offering. They are intended for applications requiring controlled fluid displacement and engineered pumping performance, although the available reference material does not specify individual models or sectors for this line.

• 2022International organization changesStrategy

  Pleuger had established international subsidiaries in Moscow and Singapore during the preceding years.

  What changed. The company closed its Russian subsidiary and established group headquarters in Miami.

  Aftermath. The move changed Pleuger’s international organizational footprint while preserving its German industrial identity.

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• 2018Flacks Group acquisitionM&A

  Pleuger was operating as part of Flowserve.

  What changed. Flacks Group acquired Pleuger from Flowserve.

  Aftermath. Pleuger began operating as an independent company within the Flacks Group portfolio.

  Source
• 2016Launch of PMM8 motorProduct launch

  Variable-frequency drives were increasingly relevant to controllable industrial pumping systems.

  What changed. Pleuger launched the PMM8 submersible electric motor for variable-frequency-drive operation.

  Aftermath. The product expanded Pleuger’s permanent-magnet and controllable-drive portfolio.

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• 2013Launch of PMM6 permanent-magnet pumpProduct launch

  Pleuger was developing more efficient submersible electric-drive technology.

  What changed. The company introduced the PMM6 permanent-magnet submersible pump.

  Aftermath. The PMM6 was described as approximately 10 percent more efficient than its predecessor.

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• 2000Flowserve acquisitionM&A

  Pleuger was operating within the Ingersoll-Dresser Pump lineage.

  What changed. Flowserve acquired Pleuger and created the Flowserve Pleuger operating identity.

  Aftermath. Pleuger continued as part of Flowserve until its later sale to Flacks Group.

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• 1989Formation of Pleuger WorthingtonM&A

  Dresser Pleuger GmbH and Deutsch Worthington were combined.

  What changed. The companies merged to form Pleuger Worthington.

  Aftermath. The combined business later became part of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump.

  Source
• 1987Dresser Industries acquisitionM&A

  Pleuger was owned by TRW before Dresser Industries acquired the business.

  What changed. Dresser acquired Pleuger and operated it as Dresser Pleuger GmbH.

  Aftermath. The acquisition supported expansion into drainage, irrigation, and offshore pumping applications.

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• 2022Pleuger closes Russian subsidiary and establishes Miami headquarters

  Pleuger closed its Russian subsidiary and established group headquarters in Miami.

  Other
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• 2021Pleuger redevelops the Aldrich subsidiary brand

  Pleuger redeveloped the identity and positioning of its Aldrich subsidiary brand.

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• 2020Pleuger opens Singapore subsidiary

  The company established a Singapore subsidiary to support its international operations in the Asia-Pacific region.

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• 2019Pleuger expands through Moscow subsidiary

  Pleuger established a subsidiary in Moscow as part of its international operating expansion.

  Other
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• 2018Flacks Group acquires Pleuger

  Flacks Group acquired Pleuger from Flowserve, after which the company operated as an independent business within the investment group.

  M&A
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• 2016Pleuger launches PMM8 motor

  The company introduced the PMM8 submersible electric motor for operation with variable-frequency drives.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2013Pleuger introduces PMM6 permanent-magnet pump

  Pleuger introduced the PMM6 permanent-magnet submersible pump, reported as offering improved efficiency over its predecessor.

  Product launchProduct generation
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• 2000Flowserve acquires Pleuger

  Flowserve acquired the business, which subsequently operated under the Flowserve Pleuger name.

  M&A
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• 1992Pleuger becomes part of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump

  Pleuger Worthington became part of Ingersoll-Dresser Pump, later known as IDP.

  M&A
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• 1989Pleuger Worthington is formed

  Dresser Pleuger GmbH merged with Deutsch Worthington to create Pleuger Worthington.

  M&A
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• 1987Dresser Industries acquires Pleuger

  Dresser Industries acquired Pleuger from TRW and formed Dresser Pleuger GmbH, expanding the business in drainage, irrigation, and offshore pumping.

  M&A
  Source
• 1951Pleuger establishes a new Hamburg plant

  Following the destruction or damage of wartime facilities, the company established a new plant in Hamburg-Wandsbek.

  Other
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• 1930Pleuger equipment used in Berlin subway construction

  Directly coupled water-filled submersible motors were installed to help lower groundwater during the expansion of Berlin’s subway system.

  Other
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• 1929Pleuger develops a glandless water-filled motor

  Friedrich Wilhelm Pleuger founded the company after developing a water-lubricated and water-cooled motor for submersible pumping applications.

  Product launchOther
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1. Pleuger
2. Pleuger Industries official website