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Retirement for Pumptools founder

After 13 years at the helm, Stan Foster-Rooke is stepping down as managing director of RMSpumptools and handing over to Doug Harwell.

Stan set up what was then Pumptools with a partner in 2000, establishing the company’s reputation for developing innovative systems for electric submersible pump production operations, and winning its first major sale from Shell in 2001 for the Gannet oil field in the North Sea.

The business continued to expand geographically, extending into parts of South America, Africa and China with major long-term contracts supplying systems to Exxon in Chad and Anardarko Bohai Bay in China.

James Fisher purchased Pumptools in 2007, and in 2009 Stan led the merger with RMS and assumed the role of MD. By 2010, the company achieved the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise for outstanding achievements in international trade and has now reached a global turnover of £30 million and achieved an unsurpassed reputation in the artificial lift industry.

Stan, 66, trained originally as an engineer prior to starting his first business in the car industry. In retirement he is planning to spend more time with his wife, Joanne and their young family, and indulging his passion for classic cars and music.

He will be replaced by Doug Harwell, previously chief operating officer who joined the company in 2009 and was one of Stan’s early customers. Doug says:

‘We are saying farewell not only to our leader and mentor, but to our friend. Stan cultivated in his teams a passion for quality and performance and for removing any burden from our customers. We all thank him for his guidance, and wish him all the best in his retirement.’