Goulds Pumps, Inc. is a United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 manufacturer of industrial pump

Pump

A pump is a device used to move fluids, such as liquids, gases or slurries.A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into three major groups: direct lift, displacement, and gravity pumps...

s based in Seneca Falls, New York

Seneca Falls (village), New York

Seneca Falls is a village in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 6,861 at the 2000 census. The village is in the Town of Seneca Falls, east of Geneva, New York. On March 16, 2010, village residents voted to dissolve the village, a move that would take effect at the end of 2011...

. It was founded by Seabury Gould in the 1840s. The company is now owned by ITT Industries.

Downs, Mynderse & Company

In 1848, Seabury S. Gould purchased interests in Downs, Mynderse & Company, a Seneca Falls

Seneca Falls (village), New York

Seneca Falls is a village in Seneca County, New York, United States. The population was 6,861 at the 2000 census. The village is in the Town of Seneca Falls, east of Geneva, New York. On March 16, 2010, village residents voted to dissolve the village, a move that would take effect at the end of 2011...

 manufacturer of wooden pumps founded four years earlier. The company produced the world's first all metal pump in 1849 and was incorporated

Incorporation (business)

Incorporation is the forming of a new corporation . The corporation may be a business, a non-profit organisation, sports club, or a government of a new city or town...

 in 1864 as Downs & Co. Manufacturing Company. Just prior to the American Civil War

American Civil War

The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...

, the company fell on hard times and began manufacture of knitting

Knitting

Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...

 machines, which it then used to produce sock

Sock

A sock is an item of clothing worn on the feet. The foot is among the heaviest producers of sweat in the body, as it is able to produce over of perspiration per day. Socks help to absorb this sweat and draw it to areas where air can evaporate the perspiration. In cold environments, socks decrease...

s and components of long underwear

Long underwear

Long underwear, also called long johns, Granny pantys, or thermal underwear, is a style of two-piece underwear with long legs and long sleeves that is normally worn during cold weather. It offers an advantage over the one-piece union suit in that the wearer can choose to wear either the top,...

. After the death of Abel Downs in 1869, the three remaining partners incorporated the business as Goulds Manufacturing Company.

Goulds Companies

In 1926, the company's name was changed to Goulds Pumps, Incorporated.

On April 21, 1997, ITT Industries announced the acquisition of Goulds Pumps for a purchase price of $815 million in cash.