I write this message on the eve of D&S's 75th anniversary, a major achievement for any organisation and one that I am particularly proud of having essentially been involved for the entire period, firstly as a child witnessing my father's efforts to establish the company and for the past 45 years, initially as an engineer, then a director and now the Chairman.
Davis & Shirtliff, through its #ImprovingLives initiative, focuses its charitable activities on providing access to safe and potable water to needy communities and institutions, mainly for disadvantaged children. In 2018, 64 projects were completed benefitting 50,000 people and in 2019, 91 projects were completed benefitting 94,000 people.
With much occasion D&S recently hosted a major event to officially inaugurate its impressive new Tatu Distribution Centre. As the distribution business has grown this significant investment was driven by the increasing congestion at the Dundori Road warehousing facilities and a fresh start had become essential.
The D&S Group's commitment to innovative Solar solutions has resulted in the recent introduction of several new Dayliff product ranges including Sunflo DC pumps and Suntower support structures. Now the Dayliff Sunverter, its market leading range of AC Solar Pump controllers, has also been updated and builds on the success of predecessor models.
This Newsletter edition marks one of the most significant events in the history of Davis and Shirtliff, inauguration of the new Distribution Centre at Tatu City. D&S faced the capacity dilemma of all growing companies as the Dundori Rd Head Office warehousing facility became increasingly unfit for purpose. This led to the birth of the Tatu project that since completion has lifted D&S to the next level providing much improved efficiencies and the capacity for considerable volume growth.
Davis & Shirtliff is pleased to announce an agreement to establish a new partnership with Rovatti Pompe, a well-respected Italian manufacturer of large capacity pumps suitable for water supply, mining, commercial and agricultural applications. Founded in 1952 by Mr Rovatti, the company is based in the Reggio Emilia region of Italy where it has several factories. Like D&S it is still owned and managed by the second and third family generations and employing 240 people is a good fit with similar values and aspirations.
We reach the end of another year and what a year it has been! Unprecedented is the word frequently used and certainly the D&S Group has been impacted, though I am pleased to report that our performance has been satisfactory in the circumstances and though like all organisations we have experienced some Covid cases they have been well managed and we've had no serious outcomes. There has also been good qualitative progress with various structural improvements made and I