History
Aqua Pumping & Solar is locally owned and operated in Rockhampton, Yeppoon, Alpha and Gympie.
The company began its days as Aqua Industrial Hardware under the guidance of Pat Ryan and his family, in Rockhampton in 1980. Pat was a well-known businessman who had previously owned and operated a pumping and irrigation business at Emerald in the Central Highlands.
In 1990, Bp Solar Australia purchased the company, (which became Bp Solar/Aqua Industrial) and brought their products and expertise in solar on board. Ten years later, Rob Evans (then manager) and his wife Maree were approached by Bp Solar and asked to take over as owners, when the multi-national corporation decided to sell off its retail outlets.
Six months later in January 2001 came the opening of a branch at Yeppoon which has since flourished under the guidance of manager John Auriac. After 9 years the Yeppoon shop now employs 10 people and is well known for having a comprehensive range of pool chemicals and offering a complete pool care service as well as all of the products already available in the Rockhampton shop and has comprehensive experience in all irrigation applications.
In September 2004 Aqua Pumping & Solar opened in Alpha after the town’s only hardware shop closed down.
Rob and Maree saw a need to give their support to the west and opened Aqua Pumping & Solar Alpha. Under the friendly reins of local identity Robbie Arnold, Aqua Alpha provides a multi-product service specialising in hardware as well as their usual irrigation, pumping and solar products as well as any diverse requirements from the people in the area.
December 1st 2008
Rob and Maree purchased their 4th store the former McCrackens Water Services in Gympie. Manager Karen McCarthy, and her 5 skilled staff’s goal is to provide the same quality comprehensive service Aqua Pumping & Solar have always aimed to achieve. They offer these services throughout the Gympie region as well as the Sunshine Coast & Hinterland, and are happy to offer them further out in the South Burnett.
Rob has had a long history with the company, beginning as a pump salesman for Aqua Industrial Hardware in 1983, then sales representative and finally manager for Bp Solar. Prior to this Rob had worked in pumping & irrigation sales for Pat Ryan & Co and as sales representative for A.B.M. Traders Emerald.
With almost 30 years experience in pumping and irrigation and 15 years experience in Solar remote power systems and solar pumping, Rob has built a reputation throughout Central and North Western Queensland for his reliable, honest attitude, and his strong leadership qualities. He makes sure that the customer is always confidant that they have received the most honest quality service and advice, these are values that Rob works hard to instil in all of his staff.
Aqua Pumping & Solar Pty Ltd now employs 35 people, and is growing; we are constantly researching products and services that best suit each situation. We aim to provide a tailor-made professional service, while still remaining a family owned and operated business.
All of Rob and Maree’s four children have worked in the stores at some time in their working life, and currently son Adam is offering his 8 years of knowledge and experience to people from Rockhampton store. Daughter Gabi has just recently returned to the Central Queenland region after spending 3 years running administration for the Gympie store to take some time off to welcome a new little grandchild into the world for Rob & Maree. Son David is currently working in the service and installation department based out of the rockhmapton store whilst completing his studies to become an electrician. Daughter Hayley no longer works fulltime, due to being a Mum to her 2 childeren however, she still has a connection with her Husband Matthew working in the service and installation department in the Rockhampton store.