Dr Charles Warman was the inventor of the world-class Warman Pump and founder of Warman International, a global manufacturer and distributor that transformed the mineral processing industry. Born in Kalgoorlie in 1910 and a graduate of the WA School of Mines, he held multiple pump design patents and pioneered innovations that remain industry standards.

A visionary engineer and entrepreneur, Warman expanded his company’s reach across six continents by the 1970s. His pump designs were renowned for their reliability and longevity, earning him a reputation as a leader in industrial innovation. Beyond business, he played a key role in pegging the Mt Newman iron ore leases and contributed to early development in Western Australia’s iron ore sector.

He was a passionate advocate for engineering education, establishing MD Research in 1969 and sponsoring the WASM Student Medal. Ranked the fifth-best engineer in Australia for the 20th century, he received numerous accolades and was inducted into the Australian Prospectors and Miners Hall of Fame. Dr Warman passed away in 2008, aged 97, leaving a global legacy in mining, engineering, and education.