NAIROBI, Kenya — One of East Africa’s leading engineering and water‑technology firms, Davis & Shirtliff, has announced the relocation of its Engineering & Manufacturing Division from its long‑standing Dundori Road premises to a new, purpose‑built Engineering Centre in Tatu City, signalling a major milestone in its 80‑year history.
The official opening of the facility is set for Tuesday, 7 April, immediately following the Easter holiday, and comes as part of the company’s broader efforts to bolster innovation, service delivery, and operational efficiency amid rising demand for technical solutions in the region.
Founded in 1946, Davis & Shirtliff has grown from a modest Nairobi plumbing and water engineering outfit into a premier supplier of water, energy, and environmental solutions across East Africa and beyond. Its products and services span everything from water pumps and borehole equipment to solar technologies and water treatment systems, making the firm a cornerstone in infrastructure and resource‑management sectors across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Zambia, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and other regional markets.
A Strategic Relocation for Growth
The move from Dundori to Tatu City is driven by the need for greater capacity, more modern facilities, and enhanced engineering capabilities. The new Engineering Centre has been designed to support increased technical work, larger‑scale manufacturing, and faster service turnaround for clients.
Davis & Shirtliff has been expanding its presence in Tatu City over the past several years. The company already operates a 10,000 m² distribution hub in the Industrial Park section of the development — one of its largest investments — which handles logistics and stock for its wide network of branches across Africa.
Tatu City itself is a 5,000‑acre mixed‑use special economic zone located about 20 km north of Nairobi’s central business district, emerging as one of the region’s fastest‑growing industrial and business hubs. The city has attracted major companies across sectors, from manufacturing to logistics and agribusiness, making it an ideal location for Davis & Shirtliff’s next phase of growth.
State‑of‑the‑Art Engineering Infrastructure
The brand‑new Engineering Centre promises to elevate the company’s technical output and enhance service delivery across its portfolio. While exact facility specifications have not been publicly detailed, it is positioned to enable faster turnaround on engineering projects, scale manufacturing and fabrication work, and support R&D initiatives crucial to delivering advanced water and energy systems.
In recent years, the company has invested significantly in technical infrastructure. In 2024, Davis & Shirtliff celebrated the groundbreaking of the Engineering Centre at its Founders Day event, emphasising its strategic focus on expanding engineering capabilities for the future.
The move also aligns with broader industry trends in Kenya and East Africa, where demand for locally engineered water and energy solutions continues to grow due to rapid urbanisation, climate variability, and the need for resilient infrastructure. Davis & Shirtliff’s expanded facility will be better equipped to serve large‑scale projects, government contracts, commercial clients, and off‑grid communities across the region.
“Bigger Space, Better Capabilities, Same Trusted Expertise”
In its announcement, the company framed the relocation not just as a change of address but as an evolution in how it serves customers. The new centre is described as offering a bigger space, improved capabilities, and the same trusted expertise long associated with the Davis & Shirtliff brand. The firm also invited stakeholders and partners to join in celebrating this new chapter as part of its #WeAre80 and #80YearsOfImpact campaigns.
Company leaders have stressed that the Engineering Centre will complement Davis & Shirtliff’s existing footprint, including its comprehensive distribution network and regional branch structure. These combined resources enable the company to maintain high service levels while scaling operations and exploring new technical frontiers.
As the manufacturing and engineering sectors continue to play a key role in Kenya’s industrialisation agenda, investments like these highlight how private firms are stepping up with solutions that drive economic growth while addressing practical challenges.
With the official opening just days away, anticipation is high within the engineering community and among the company’s clientele that the facility in Tatu City will be a catalyst for further innovation and impact.
