Thompson Pump Receives Two Prestigious VMA Awards for Excellence in Manufacturing

Thompson Pump and Manufacturing Co., one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of heavy-duty dewatering pumps and equipment, announces it has been honored with two awards of excellence from the Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA): the Manny Award for Lifetime Achievement in Manufacturing, presented to Kelly Seliga, director of finance, and the Best Practice Award.

The recognitions highlight Thompson Pump’s longstanding commitment to industry excellence, employee well-being, and leadership within the manufacturing community.

Manny Award

Kelly Seliga was honored with the VMA Manny Award for Lifetime Achievement in Manufacturing, one of the industry’s highest honors.

Kelly joined Thompson Pump in 1990 as assistant credit manager and has spent 35 years advancing through key leadership roles, including regional credit manager, credit manager, controller, and now director of finance.

Throughout her career, Kelly has made far-reaching contributions to the company and the broader manufacturing sector:

· Strengthening financial systems and operational logistics.

· Overseeing and improving international shipping processes.

· Supporting global market growth and compliance.

· Leading the rollout of Lean 6S principles, generating long-term gains in productivity, organization, and safety.

· Guiding community service initiatives that reinforce the company’s family-oriented culture.

· Serving as a mentor and role model for women building careers in manufacturing.

Her leadership has shaped both the financial foundation and the culture of Thompson Pump, leaving a legacy defined by excellence, compassion, and continuous improvement.

“Kelly is the embodiment of accountability, integrity, and leadership,” said Chris Thompson, president of Thompson Pump. “Her impact on this company and our people cannot be overstated. This honor is incredibly well deserved.”

Best Practices

Thompson Pump also earned the Best Practice Award, for the second consecutive year, for its comprehensive Well-Being at Work program. This program is an employee-focused initiative built on five core pillars: employee safety, personal care, personal growth, physical well-being, and mental well-being.

For more than 55 years, Thompson Pump has invested in long-term relationships, training, and innovation to support its customers. That same philosophy is deeply embedded in how the company supports its employees. The key elements of the program include:

· A robust safety culture, led by employee-driven committees, required “near miss” reporting, tailored onboarding training, and monthly “Safety Smarty” engagement activities.

· Personal care initiatives such as tuition reimbursement, mentorships, financial planning resources, participation in the FAME program, and quarterly wellness events.

· Career development pathways through the Cornerstone training platform and supervisor development programs.

· Physical well-being support, including wellness budgets, fruit programs, hydration and walking challenges, preventative care incentives, flu shot clinics, and gym discounts.

· Mental wellness programs, an on-site mental health first aid representative, community service opportunities, and involvement in suicide-prevention and volunteer initiatives.

This holistic approach not only builds a healthier and more engaged workforce but also directly supports the company’s exceptional safety record, maintaining an EMR below 1.0 for more than a decade, and drives improved productivity, collaboration, and retention.

“Our employees are the core of our success,” said Thompson. “This award reflects our belief that when we invest in our people, everything else, like innovation, customer service, and operational excellence, follows.”

For more on, visit thompsonpump.com.