Herr Pump Company, Inc. was founded by Henry R. Herr during World War I, originally operating under the name “Herr The Pump Man” and located at the intersection of North Ann Street and Fulton Street. The company catered to homeowners and farmers who relied on hand pumps for their water supply. Through extensive research on hydraulic pumps and innovation in power pumping, Herr succeeded in selling power pumps and providing top-notch services to his customers.
Herr’s business philosophy of actively engaging with customers and continuously improving his knowledge of pumps helped him keep his business profitable and relevant. In 1945, he sold the company to Lester H. Herr (not related), who maintained the business model without significant changes. It was only in 1973, when Dan W Pfister, Sr. purchased the company from Lester, that the business model and name underwent further evolution.
Dan, being a natural salesman, expanded the company to serve industrial customers in the Lancaster area during the last few decades of the 1990s and into the early 2000s. He provided top-tier service to many local industries in the area. During this time, Herr Pump Company sold their property within Lancaster city and moved to the current location on Witmer Road. This allowed for easier shipping and receiving operations as well as more room to repair and service pumps.
In 1984, Dan hired Donna Mastromatteo as an administrative assistant. Donna spent the next three decades filling a number of roles, including inside sales, outside sales, field service technician, shipping and receiving, and office manager. Donna attended countless industry “pump schools,” trade shows, and industry events to expand her knowledge of the industry. She eventually assumed ownership of the business in 2013 as Herr Pump Company’s first female President. From 2013 to 2022, Donna worked tirelessly to provide exceptional service to Herr Pump Company’s customers. Donna became well known in the industry for her pump expertise, oftentimes being called upon by pump manufacturers to answer technical questions due to her extensive knowledge of pumps.
At the end of 2021, after 37 years in the pump industry, Donna decided to retire and sell Herr Pump Company. Having an immense amount of respect for the legacy and history of the company, Donna embarked on a selective endeavor to find a suitable buyer of Herr Pump Company. After many offers and a lengthy screening process, Donna decided to pass the torch on to Joe and Rachelle Rineer. Donna has graciously decided to remain with Herr Pump Company as a consultant and mentor as long as the current owners require her knowledge and expertise so the company can continue to provide exceptional service to customers without interruption.