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Our Story

A Legacy of Innovation Since 1969

Where It All Began | 1969

In 1969, William “Andy” Irvin, a natural inventor and entrepreneur, founded Electromate Corporation alongside Wendell Griffin and investment partner Sam Jacobson. The company began as a manufacturer of metal enclosures following the acquisition of Pillar Manufacturing, located near Corbett and Stockton Streets in Jacksonville, Florida. As the business grew, Electromate expanded its product line to include fiberglass enclosures.

Expanding into Control Systems | 1970s

In 1972, Andy recognized an opportunity to expand into electrical control panels. He hired electrical engineer Carl Hoyt to design a duplex pump control panel, and Carl brought on Everett Robinson, a 20-year-old draftsman, to assist part-time.

By offering both enclosures and complete control panels, Electromate quickly established itself as a growing force in the industry. Following Wendell’s retirement, Andy and Sam continued leading the business.

In the mid-1970s, a fire near the enclosure paint oven destroyed the controls division, prompting the company to relocate to a larger facility on Salisbury Road near I-95. Electromate also acquired Electrodata, expanding its capabilities to include electronic components and room availability monitoring systems for hotels.

The Invention That Changed the Industry | The Electrogage

In the late 1970s, lift station control panels relied on multiple pressure switches, requiring large, expensive stainless steel enclosures.

Andy and Everett saw an opportunity to create something better. Working late into the night, they developed an innovative level controller based on a precision liquid column manometer. The result was the Electrogage, a breakthrough that improved accuracy and reliability while significantly reducing panel size and cost.

The City of Jacksonville adopted the Electrogage as its standard almost immediately, and municipalities across the country soon followed.

Its success paved the way for additional innovations, including the Logic Chassis, a low-voltage duplex control board designed for easier troubleshooting, and two pneumatic products: the ATC10 (Air Transfer Chassis) and its successor, the BAMS (Bubbler Air Monitoring System). Both provided simple, cost-effective solutions for intrinsically safe applications.

A New Chapter | EG Pump Controls, 1989

In 1989, Electromate separated into two divisions, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history.

The controls division relocated to Phillips Highway and became EG Pump Controls, Inc., operating under private ownership. The enclosure division remained on Salisbury Road and was sold to Robroy Industries before being acquired by Rittal in 2003.

This transition allowed EG Pump Controls to focus on what it did best: developing innovative, reliable control solutions for an evolving industry.

Advancing Technology | From Mercury to Microprocessors

As technology evolved and environmental regulations became more stringent, EG Pump Controls once again embraced innovation.

The original Electrogage relied on mercury as a conductor, creating special disposal requirements for damaged or retired units. Recognizing the need for a modern alternative, EG acquired the MicroMAC and VariMAC electronic controller lines from a company shifting its focus to software.

These products were reengineered and introduced as the Digi-Gage and Vari-Gage, bringing new capabilities and flexibility to pump control technology.

The Digi-Gage accommodated float, bubbler, and transducer inputs while controlling up to six across-the-line starters. Its hot-swappable design allowed a failed controller to be replaced in less than a minute without de-energizing the panel.

The Vari-Gage expanded these capabilities with variable-speed control for up to three variable frequency drives (VFDs).

Together, these innovations reinforced EG Pump Controls’ reputation for developing practical, forward-thinking solutions that addressed real-world customer needs.

The Visionary Behind the Innovation

Throughout his career, Andy Irvin was guided by a simple philosophy:

“If something needed has not been invented, I must invent it. If something has already been invented, I must improve it.”

That belief fueled decades of ingenuity and helped shape the companies and products he created. Andy also co-founded Ingram Products with Cliff Ingram, an organization that marketed many of his inventions and continues to provide industrial control products today.

In the mid-1990s, Andy sold his interest in EG Pump Controls to focus on leading Ingram Products. He passed away in 2014, leaving a legacy of innovation, entrepreneurship, and a relentless commitment to improving the way things work.

EG Pump Controls Today | Building on a Legacy

More than five decades after its beginnings, EG Pump Controls continues to build upon the ingenuity and customer-focused philosophy that shaped its history.

Over the years, the company has established a nationwide network of representatives and continually evolved its products to meet the changing needs of the water and industrial sectors.

The original Electrogage has given way to the Electrogage ECO, while the Logic Chassis and BAMS remain available upon request. Today’s Digi-Gage Plus and Vari-Gage Plus incorporate modern color touchscreens and smartphone monitoring capabilities, combining proven performance with advanced technology.

Since 2020, EG Pump Controls has been owned and led by Dale Young, continuing its tradition of innovation, quality, and responsive customer service. Headquartered at 648 E. Union Street in Jacksonville, Florida, EG Pump Controls now designs and manufactures custom control panels for a broad range of industrial applications, serving customers across nearly every industrial sector.

From its beginnings as a small enclosure manufacturer to its position as a trusted provider of advanced control solutions, EG Pump Controls remains committed to the principle that inspired its founder:

There’s always a better way, and innovation begins with the determination to find it.

Our Mission