A growing demand for pumps has Alex Pedemont, from NSI Pumps in Barooga under

pressure. But this local bloke is going with the flow and getting the job done, thrilled that

he’s able to call the country home again.

“I did my fitter and turner trade out of school working on machinery and then went on to do

my Mechanical Engineering degree. I spent nearly a decade working in design and testing at

Kubota in Melbourne,” said Alex.

With work trips to learn from the best in Germany, Japan and the US, Alex was absorbing as

much knowledge as he could before he and his wife Bianca made the move back to Barooga

in 2021 and purchased the business.

“I’m from Tocumwal and knew that I wanted my kids to grow up in the country and with my

background, I knew there was a big demand in agricultural engineering around here,” he

said.

With his Dad Phil, appointed as Chief All-Rounder, Alex got busy making his mark on the

irrigation industry relocating the business from Numurkah to Barooga in 2023.

“This is a reliable farming area, there are big ag operations in the district and always a need

for pumps; in floods, in droughts, people always need to be moving water,” he said.

NSI Pumps specialise in pressure pumping systems that cater to horticulture, vegetable and

tree crops as well as flood pumping for the rice, dairy and grain industries.

Nothing beats the peace of mind in reducing risk, which pump specialist Alex Pedemont achieved for a client who needed to be prepared for fire.

The customer wanted the best possible double pump rig to protect a hay pressing plant in regional Victoria.

Alex, who took over NSI Pumps in Numurkah in 2021, came up with the perfect solution – combining an end suction ISO pump with an air cooled, six-cylinder F6L914 DEUTZ engine.

The resulting twin firefighting pumps can move 100 litres per second with a maximum head (vertical lift) of 90 metres. This is much stronger than mains pressure and essential in case of fire.

Our resident workshop dog, pump and waterhole inspector got a great write up in the country news this week!

Cooper, a bashful Labrador-cross-golden retriever, struck it lucky when Alex Pedemont chose him as his doggo 18 months ago.

Alex — who runs NSI Pumps — designs, builds and services pump sets around the Goulburn Valley while living in Barooga.

He also really, truly loves his dog.

For a water-loving hound who is always in need of a pat, this translates into ‘jackpot’ in dog-speak.

“He comes to work with me every day in the irrigation pumping game and loves riding in the back of the work ute to different farms around the countryside,” Alex said.

“Working with pumps means there is always a good watering hole close by to play in, whether it is freezing cold in winter or on a sweltering hot summer’s day.

“Most days are spent chewing things up or lazing in the workshop wondering if it is knock-off time yet, but he always has a smile on his face.”