Since 1971, Charles Cleghorn has devoted his time and efforts to providing quality pumps and an exceptional after sales service to his customers across Ireland and the UK.
Although Charles Cleghorn Ltd was established in 2022, it is a business steeped in family history, containing a deep-rooted connection to the commercial fishing industry, with owner Charles Cleghorn valued as one of the most experienced contacts for marine engineers, skippers, and vessel owners in the sector.
Giving an insight into the foundation of the business, Charles says, “My father, Tom Cleghorn, set up Cleghorn Waring & Company with his former business partner in the early 1950’s and after a brief time of trying to find the right product to sell, he was introduced to a couple of Americans who were in search of a distributor in the UK for Jabsco pumps.
“While Mr Waring had already left the business to embark on a life in South Africa, my father recognised the potential in the product. As the newly appointed UK Distributor for Jabsco pumps, he began selling pumps to Perkins, who were the biggest engine supplier in the UK at the time, thus solidifying Cleghorn Waring & Company’s position in the industry.
Charles initially started off in the timber industry in the 1960s before joining the family business in 1971, declaring that, “one has a few of one’s rough edges knocked off by then.”
Over the following years, his two brothers also joined, and Charles began to place more emphasis on selling to the workboat and fishing industries, with the assimilation of Forani’s centrifugal and turbine seawater pumps.
Speaking of the progression of the business over the years Charles says, “The three of us brothers ran the business and expanded it for about 30 years or so.
“The business developed greatly and at the end of 2004, we decided to sell it to Xylem, a huge international conglomerate with a lot of pump businesses.”
Charles at the Scottish Skipper Expo back in 2013
With Charles’ passion and love for his work in the workboat and fishing industry, he continued to work for Xylem on a commission basis, maintaining contact with the customers all around the UK and Ireland.
An unfaltering focus on maintaining the highest level of customer service and quality brought Charles to the decision in 2022 to reignite his entrepreneurial spirit, and so, alongside his wife Eleanor and daughter Genevieve, he set up Charles Cleghorn Ltd.
“Just under two years ago, I started to import the pumps from Ferrani and I have got a good stock established now, selling all over the UK and I have also set up accounts for Ferrani in Ireland.
“Obviously, there is competition – other people have pumps and things, but I am not aware of any other business that literally only has pumps for the commercial fishing industry. This helps us to stand out in terms of our knowledge. We are selling more than just a product, we are selling a lifetime of experience.
“Unlike other businesses, I don’t simply give a bland quote for a product. Instead, I will start by finding out all the information about the boat so that I can use my experience to sell them the most appropriate pump.”
With a long-standing presence at the Skipper Expos for over a decade, Charles believes that maintaining a face-to-face connection with customers is of huge importance, regardless of developments in technology.
“This business is characterised by having many small customers, so you don’t really make any big hit at any time, but the greatest pleasure comes from going to the likes of the exhibitions and the Irish exhibition in particular.
“It is a great way to build a rapport with potential customers. It might be 6 weeks or 6 months after the show that they decide to buy but I want them to think of me when they are looking for a pump.
“In a way, I am outdated because I am not too keen on the ‘clickity click’ modern methods of communication. I know that one has to use them, but I value personal contact very much and I am very proud of the fact that I can travel virtually the entire coastline of Ireland and Britain and knock on the door at any port, knowing somebody will say, ‘Hello Charlie.’
“Obviously, modern methods are important as well, as the younger generation will much more readily turn to the net to order so we have a strong presence online as well.”
Charles invites everyone attending the Irish Skipper Expo to drop by Stand 135 – whether you are in need of a pump or not, you will leave with a story and a wealth of knowledge.
Charles always enjoys meeting his Irish customers and friends at the Irish Skipper Expo
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