Davis & Shirtliff
Corporate brand
UnclaimedDavis & Shirtliff is a Kenyan-owned East African supplier of water, energy, pumping, irrigation and related engineering equipment.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Davis & Shirtliff is a Kenyan-owned water and engineering equipment group serving customers across East Africa. Founded in Nairobi in 1946 by E. C. “Eddie” Davis and F. R. “Dick” Shirtliff, the business developed from a small plumbing and water-engineering firm into a regional distributor, project supplier and service organization. Its activities center on equipment and systems used to abstract, move, treat and manage water, together with related power and recreational-water products. The company’s origins can be traced to R. H. Paige & Co., a plumbing and water-engineering firm established in 1926. Shirtliff acquired a half share in the business, and Davis joined the enterprise in 1945. The Davis & Shirtliff partnership was then formed in 1946. During its early development the company built a base in Kenya’s construction and engineering sector, becoming a founding member of the Kenya Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors in 1947. It moved to purpose-built offices and workshops in 1955, providing a platform for subsequent expansion. Davis & Shirtliff’s commercial model has combined distribution of international equipment brands with local technical support, branch operations and dealer coverage. It began importing Grundfos pumps from Denmark in 1965 and Davey pumps from Australia in 1968. The company later broadened its water-pumping portfolio with solar pumping products, Pedrollo equipment from Italy and other specialist systems. A national dealer network and the Pump Centre concept, introduced in 1995, helped extend access beyond Nairobi. The group also developed manufacturing and assembly-related capabilities, including fibreglass filter production initiated in the mid-1980s. Its principal business areas include water pumps, borehole equipment and services, swimming-pool systems, water treatment, generators, solar-energy equipment and irrigation. These activities support domestic, commercial, agricultural, industrial, institutional and infrastructure applications. The company’s portfolio has expanded alongside the growing importance of groundwater development, decentralized energy, water security and efficient irrigation in East African markets. Regional growth accelerated from the 1990s onward. Davis & Shirtliff established operations in Kampala in 1996 and Dar es Salaam in 1998, followed by further branches and subsidiaries in countries including Zambia, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Sudan. Its network also includes operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe, while Ethiopia has been served through a partnership. The group has added locations in cities and territories such as Lusaka, Kigali, Nakuru, Arusha, Zanzibar, Kitwe, Malindi, Addis Ababa, Mwanza, Diani, Juba and Mbeya at different stages of its expansion. The company has also entered adjacent energy and equipment categories. A solar division was established in 2003, initially associated with Shell Solar distribution. Davis & Shirtliff subsequently added products and distribution relationships involving swimming-pool equipment, generator engines and other power solutions. Its business therefore combines water infrastructure with complementary technologies used where reliable grid electricity, pumping capacity and treatment infrastructure are limited. Davis & Shirtliff is headquartered in Nairobi’s Industrial Area and is described as fully Kenyan owned and managed. The group is overseen by a chairman and an executive management team, although specific current executive names are not identified in the supplied reference material. Alongside its commercial operations, the company supports community water initiatives for institutions lacking adequate supply. These activities are financed through contributions from the company and staff, with business partners also contributing equipment, supplies or funds. One cited partnership involved Kenya Airways and a water project in Runana. The available reference material does not provide current financial results, a public-market listing, a standalone corporate website, or verified details of the present leadership team.
History
Davis & Shirtliff emerged from the Nairobi plumbing and water-engineering trade. The predecessor business, R. H. Paige & Co., had been established in 1926. F. R. “Dick” Shirtliff acquired a 50 percent interest in the firm, and E. C. “Eddie” Davis became involved in 1945. The Davis & Shirtliff partnership was formed in 1946, marking the beginning of the group under its present name. The company established an early role in Kenya’s building and civil-engineering sector. In 1947 it became a founding member of the Kenya Association of Building and Civil Engineering Contractors. In 1955, after acquiring two additional plots, it moved to newly built offices and workshops. This expansion gave the firm more room for inventory, engineering work and customer support as Kenya’s construction and infrastructure needs developed. A major part of the group’s subsequent history involved building relationships with international pump and equipment manufacturers. Davis & Shirtliff received its first consignment of Grundfos pumps from Denmark in 1965 and imported Davey pumps from Australia in 1968. Grundfos solar pumps were added to the range in 1982. In 1985, Butech Limited became the Mombasa distributor for the company’s products and fibreglass filter production began. Davis & Shirtliff acquired a 20 percent interest in Butech in 1992 and bought out the remaining interest in 2000, converting the operation into its Mombasa branch. The company added Linz pumps supplied by Pedrollo of Italy in 1993. In 1995 it introduced the Pump Centre and established a countrywide dealer network, helping it serve customers outside Nairobi. A branch in Eldoret also opened that year. International expansion then became more pronounced: a Kampala subsidiary was established in 1996, followed by a Dar es Salaam subsidiary in 1998. During the 2000s and afterward, Davis & Shirtliff widened both its geographical reach and its product categories. It became a regional distributor for Pedrollo Pumps in 2001, established a solar division in 2003 with a regional distribution role for Shell Solar, became a Certikin distributor in 2004 and added Lister Petter engine-generator distribution in 2005. Branches, subsidiaries and affiliated operations were subsequently developed in locations including Lusaka, Kigali, Nakuru, Arusha, Zanzibar, Kitwe, Malindi, Addis Ababa, Mwanza, Diani, Juba and Mbeya. The group also extended its presence into Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Rwanda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe, while Ethiopia was served through a partnership. The modern group is headquartered in Nairobi’s Industrial Area and remains Kenyan owned and managed. Its business is organized around water pumps, boreholes, swimming pools, water treatment, generators, solar energy and irrigation. This mix reflects the overlap between water infrastructure and energy access in the region: pumps require dependable power, while solar systems can support water abstraction and distribution in locations beyond reliable electricity networks. Community water assistance has remained part of the company’s public-facing activities. Davis & Shirtliff supports needy institutions seeking water supplies, with funding from the company and staff and additional support from business partners. Grundfos has reportedly contributed money, equipment and supplies to such activities. A water project in Runana was undertaken in partnership with Kenya Airways. The supplied historical material does not identify the current chairman or members of the executive team by name, and it provides no verified current financial or stock-market information.
- 2021
Mbeya operation added
[1]The group expanded its location network to Mbeya, Tanzania.
- 2005
Lister Petter distribution appointment
[1]Davis & Shirtliff was appointed distributor for Lister Petter engine generators in the region.
- 2004
Certikin distribution appointment
[1]The company became a distributor for Certikin swimming-pool products.
- 2003
Solar division established
[1]The group established a solar division and became a regional distributor for Shell Solar.
- 2001
Regional Pedrollo distribution
[1]Davis & Shirtliff was appointed regional distributor for Pedrollo Pumps.
- 2000
Butech acquired outright
[1]The company completed the purchase of Butech Limited and converted it into the Davis & Shirtliff Mombasa branch.
- 1998
Dar es Salaam subsidiary opened
[1]The group established a subsidiary in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- 1996
Kampala subsidiary opened
[1]Davis & Shirtliff established a subsidiary in Kampala, Uganda.
- 1995
Pump Centre and dealer network launched
[1]The company introduced the Pump Centre, expanded its countrywide dealer network and opened an Eldoret branch.
- 1992
Stake acquired in Butech
[1]Davis & Shirtliff acquired a 20 percent shareholding in Butech Limited.
Products and positioning
A Kenyan-owned regional water and engineering solutions provider combining international equipment distribution, local branches, dealer coverage, technical support and complementary energy products.
Pumping equipment
Water pumps
Water pumps are the group’s core product area. Davis & Shirtliff distributes equipment for moving water in domestic, commercial, agricultural, industrial and institutional applications. Its historical range has included Grundfos, Davey and Pedrollo-related products, supported through branches, dealers and technical services.
Groundwater equipment
Borehole solutions
Borehole offerings address groundwater abstraction and distribution. They include pumping and associated equipment used to develop water supplies for households, institutions, farms, businesses and other users. The reference material identifies borehole solutions as one of the group’s principal activities but does not provide a detailed current catalogue.
Recreational water equipment · 2004
Swimming-pool systems
The swimming-pool business covers equipment used in pool circulation, filtration and related water management. Davis & Shirtliff became a Certikin distributor in 2004, adding a dedicated recreational-water product category to its broader pumping and treatment portfolio.
Water treatment and filtration · 1985
Water-treatment equipment
Water-treatment products support filtration and other processes for improving water quality. The company’s history includes fibreglass filter production beginning in 1985, and water treatment remains one of its principal business sectors.
Power equipment · 2005
Generators
Generators and engine-generator equipment complement the company’s water business by providing power for sites and installations where grid electricity is unavailable or unreliable. Davis & Shirtliff was appointed a regional distributor for Lister Petter engine generators in 2005.
Renewable-energy equipment · 2003
Solar-energy equipment
Solar products include equipment for decentralized energy applications and solar-powered pumping. A dedicated solar division was established in 2003, following the earlier addition of solar pumps to the company’s Grundfos range.
Marketing campaigns
- Community water-supply assistance
Kenya
Davis & Shirtliff assists needy institutions in obtaining water supplies. Funding is supported by annual contributions from the company and staff, with business partners also participating through money, equipment and supplies.
Outcome. The initiative has supported institutional and community access to water, although the supplied material does not quantify the number of projects or beneficiaries.
- Runana water project
Kenya
The company partnered with Kenya Airways on a water project in Runana.
Outcome. The project was described as part of the company’s community water work; the supplied reference does not provide further project metrics.
Brand decisions
2003
Establish a solar divisionStrategyBackground
Demand for off-grid and decentralized energy solutions created an opportunity adjacent to the company’s established pumping business.
Action taken
The group created a solar division and took on a regional distribution role for Shell Solar.
Aftermath
Solar energy became one of the group’s principal product sectors and complemented its solar-pumping activities.
2000
Complete acquisition of Butech LimitedM&ABackground
Davis & Shirtliff had acquired a 20 percent interest in Butech Limited in 1992 after Butech became the company’s Mombasa distributor.
Action taken
The group bought out the remaining interest in Butech and converted the business into its Mombasa branch.
Aftermath
The transaction consolidated Davis & Shirtliff’s presence on the Kenyan coast.
1995
Create the Pump Centre and broaden dealer coverageStrategyBackground
The company sought to make pumping products more accessible across Kenya rather than relying only on its Nairobi base.
Action taken
Davis & Shirtliff introduced the Pump Centre and established a countrywide dealer network, while also opening an Eldoret branch.
Aftermath
The move strengthened national distribution and supported subsequent expansion beyond Kenya.
Sources1 sources
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