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SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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Mansfield, Ohio

       The Annual Meeting of the shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company will be held at the Company’s Training Center, 270 West 6th Street, Mansfield, Ohio, on Thursday, April 27, 2006 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, for the purpose of considering and acting upon:

      Holders of Common Shares of record at the close of business on March 15, 2006 are the only shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.

      Please promptly execute the enclosed proxy and return it in the enclosed envelope (which requires no postage if mailed in the United States), regardless of whether you plan to attend the Meeting.

March 29, 2006

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PROXY STATEMENT

March 29, 2006

     This Proxy Statement is furnished to shareholders of The Gorman-Rupp Company in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies for use at the Annual Meeting of the shareholders to be held at the Company’s Training Center, 270 West 6th Street, Mansfield, Ohio, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Daylight Time, on Thursday, April 27, 2006. Holders of Common Shares of record at the close of business on March 15, 2006 are the only shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting.

      A shareholder, without affecting any vote previously taken, may revoke his proxy by the execution and delivery to the Company of a later proxy with respect to the same shares, or by giving notice to the Company in writing or in open meeting. The presence at the Meeting of the person appointing a proxy does not in and of itself revoke the appointment.

OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS

     As of March 15, 2006, the record date for the determination of persons entitled to vote at the Meeting, there were 10,685,697 Common Shares outstanding. Each Common Share is entitled to one vote.

      The mailing address of the principal executive offices of the Company is 305 Bowman Street, Mansfield, Ohio 44903. This Proxy Statement and accompanying proxy are being mailed to shareholders on or about March 29, 2006.

      If notice in writing is given by any shareholder to the President, a Vice President or the Secretary of the Company, not less than 48 hours before the time fixed for the holding of the Meeting, that such shareholder desires that the voting for the election of Directors be cumulative, and if announcement of the giving of such notice is made upon the convening of the Meeting by the Chairman or Secretary or by or on behalf of the shareholder giving such notice, each shareholder shall have the right to cumulate such voting power as he possesses at such election. Under cumulative voting, a shareholder controls voting power equal to the number of votes which he otherwise would have been entitled to cast multiplied by the number of Directors to be elected. All of such votes may be cast for a single nominee or may be distributed among any two or more nominees as he may desire. If cumulative voting is invoked, and unless contrary instructions are given by a shareholder who signs a proxy, all votes represented by such proxy will be divided evenly among the candidates nominated by the Board of Directors, except that if so voting should for any reason not be effective to elect all of the nominees

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(Proposal No. 1)

     All Directors will be elected to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. Proxies received are intended to be voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at eight and for the election of the nominees named below. Each of the nominees is presently a Director of the Company. Mr. Jeffrey S. Gorman is the son of Mr. James C. Gorman, and Mr. Christopher H. Lake is the son of Dr. Peter B. Lake.

      In the event that any of the nominees should become unavailable, which the Board of Directors does not anticipate, proxies are intended to be voted in favor of fixing the number of Directors at a lesser number or for a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Board of Directors, in the discretion of the persons appointed as proxy holders. The proxies may be voted cumulatively for less than the entire number of nominees if any situation arises which, in the opinion of the proxy holders, makes such action necessary or desirable.

      Based upon information received from the respective nominees as of February 1, 2006, the following information is furnished with respect to each person nominated for election as a Director.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND DIRECTORS’ COMMITTEES

     During 2005, a total of five regularly scheduled meetings of the Board of Directors (at least one each quarter) and a total of 14 meetings of all standing Directors’ Committees were held. All Directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings held by the Board of Directors and of the total number of meetings held by the respective committees on which they served. In 2005, the “independent” Directors met once in executive session without the presence of the non-independent Directors and any members of the Company’s management.

      The Board of Directors has four separately designated standing committees: (1) an Audit Review Committee, whose present members are Thomas E. Hoaglin (Chairman and “independent audit committee financial expert”), Peter B. Lake and W. Wayne Walston; (2) a Salary Committee, whose present members are W. Wayne Walston (Chairman), Thomas E. Hoaglin and Christopher H. Lake; (3) a Pension Committee, whose present members are Peter B. Lake (Chairman), Rick R. Taylor and John A. Walter; and (4) a Nominating Committee, whose present members are John A. Walter (Chairman), Christopher H. Lake and Rick R. Taylor. All members of each committee are independent Directors.

      The Audit Review Committee held six meetings in 2005. Its principal functions include reviewing the arrangement and scope of the audit, considering comments made by the independent accountants with respect to internal controls and financial reporting, considering corrective action taken by management, reviewing internal accounting procedures and controls with the Company’s internal auditor and financial staff, and reviewing non-audit services provided by the independent accountants. The Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.

      The Salary Committee held two meetings during 2005. Its principal functions are to determine the salaries of the elected officers and certain senior executives of the Company and to determine profit sharing amounts for eligible employees, subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

      The Pension Committee held five meetings in 2005. Its principal functions are to monitor and assist in the investment of the assets associated with the Company’s pension plan.

      The Nominating Committee held one meeting during 2005. Its principal functions involve the identification, evaluation and recommendation of individuals for nomination as new members of the Board of Directors. Members of the Nominating Committee are “independent” in accordance with Section 121 of the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange.

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      The Nominating Committee does not have a written charter but follows policies and procedures by which to consider recommendations from shareholders for Director nominees. (These written policies and procedures were recommended by the Committee and adopted by the Board of Directors for the Committee in 1991.) Any shareholder wishing to propose a candidate should deliver a typewritten or legible hand-written communication to the Company’s Corporate Secretary. The submission should provide detailed business and personal biographical data about the candidate, and include a brief analysis explaining why the individual is well-qualified to become a Director nominee. All recommendations will be acknowledged by the Corporate Secretary and promptly referred to the Nominating Committee for evaluation.

      The Nominating Committee does not believe that any particular set of skills or qualities are most appropriate for a Director candidate. All Director candidates, including any recommended by shareholders, are evaluated based upon their (i) business and financial expertise and experience; (ii) intellect to comprehend the issues confronting the Company; (iii) reputation for diligence, and limited time conflicts; and (iv) integrity, strength of character, practical wisdom and mature judgment. Any Director candidate will be subject to a background check performed by the Committee. In addition, the candidate will be personally interviewed by one or more Committee members before he or she is nominated to be a new member of the Board of Directors.

      The Board of Directors has determined that all Non-Employee Directors (Messrs. Hoaglin, C. H. Lake, P. B. Lake, Taylor, Walston and Walter) are “independent” Directors in accordance with Section 121 of the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange. Directors who are employees of the Company (Messrs. J. C. Gorman and J. S. Gorman) do not receive any compensation for service as Directors. Each Non-Employee Director receives a fee for each of the Board of Directors meetings attended. The fee was $2,300 for meetings held during 2005. No fees are paid, however, for attendance at committee meetings, except that Directors serving as members of the Audit Review Committee receive an additional fee of $300 for each Audit Review Committee meeting attended that is held in conjunction with a Board of Directors meeting. Each Committee Chairman also receives a retainer of $1,000 per year. Effective May 22, 1997, the Board of Directors adopted a Non-Employee Directors’ Compensation Plan. Under the Plan, as additional compensation for regular services to be performed as a Director, an automatic award of 500 Common Shares (from the Company’s treasury) will be made on each July 1 (through 2006 unless extended) to each Non-Employee Director then serving on the Board. The award of 500 Common Shares made on July 1, 2005 had a market value of $10,628.

      Members of the Board of Directors are encouraged to attend the Company’s annual meetings of shareholders, time permitting. All Directors were in attendance at the annual meeting in 2005.

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AUDIT REVIEW COMMITTEE REPORT

     The Audit Review Committee has submitted the following report to the Board of Directors:

Members of the Audit Review Committee are “independent” in accordance with Section 121 of the listing standards of the American Stock Exchange. The Chairman is also an “independent audit committee financial expert” in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules.

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      Based upon a recommendation of the Audit Review Committee, the Board of Directors adopted a written Charter for the Audit Review Committee on October 23, 2003 (replacing the previous Charter adopted on June 8, 2000). The Committee reviews and reassesses the adequacy of the Charter on an annual basis. A proposal to amend the Charter was adopted by the Committee on October 27, 2005, and approved by the Board of Directors on January 26, 2006. The Charter (as amended) is set forth as an appendix to this Proxy Statement, and will again be set forth as an appendix to the Proxy Statement in 2009.

      The foregoing report has been furnished by members of the Audit Review Committee.

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SHAREHOLDINGS BY EXECUTIVE OFFICERS*

      *The table sets forth information received from the executive officers as of February 1, 2006, and all amounts represent less than 1% of the outstanding shares. The shareholdings of James C. Gorman and Jeffrey S. Gorman are included below and under the caption “Election of Directors.”

PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth information pertaining to the beneficial ownership of the Company’s Common Shares as of February 1, 2006 by James C. Gorman and Jeffrey S. Gorman, and as of December 31, 2005 by each other person known to the Company to own beneficially at least five percent of the outstanding Common Shares.

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     There is shown below information concerning the annual and long-term compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 of those persons who were, at December 31, 2005, (i) the chief executive officer and (ii) the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (the “Named Officers”).

Summary Compensation Table

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PENSION AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS

     The following table shows the estimated annual benefits under the Company’s pension plan which would have been payable to employees in various compensation classifications upon retirement in 2005 at age 65 after selected periods of service.

* Compensation in excess of $210,000 is not taken into account under the pension plan.

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SALARY COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     Under the supervision of the Salary Committee of the Board of Directors, the Company has developed compensation policies which seek to enhance the profitability of the Company, and thus shareholder value, by aligning closely the financial interests of the Company’s corporate officers and other key employees with those of its shareholders. As a starting point, annual base salaries are generally set somewhat below competitive levels so that the Company relies to a large degree on annual incentive compensation to retain corporate officers and other key employees of outstanding abilities and to motivate them to perform to the full extent of their abilities. The incentive compensation is then closely tied to corporate and individual performances in a manner that encourages a long and continuing focus on building profitability and shareholder value.

      Based on an evaluation of these factors, the Committee believes that the corporate officers and other key employees of the Company are dedicated to achieving improvements in long-term financial performance and that the compensation policies the Committee administers have contributed to achieving this management focus.

      Compensation for each of the Named Officers, as well as other executive officers and certain senior executives, consists of a base salary and annual incentive compensation or profit sharing. The base salaries are fixed at levels somewhat below the competitive amounts paid to senior managers with comparable qualifications, experience and responsibilities at other companies engaged in the same or similar businesses as the Company. The annual incentive compensation is more closely tied to the Company’s success in achieving significant financial and non-financial performance goals. The Committee considers the total compensation of each of the Named Officers and the other executive officers and certain senior executives in establishing the elements of compensation.

      In the early part of each fiscal year, the Committee reviews with the Chief Executive Officer and approves, with modifications considered appropriate, an annual salary for the Company’s executive officers and certain senior executives (other than the Chief Executive Officer). Salaries are developed based upon industry and national surveys and performance judgments as to the past and expected future contributions of the individual executive officers and certain senior executives. The Committee independently reviews and fixes the base salary of the Chief Executive Officer based on similar competitive compensation data and the Committee’s assessment of his past performance and its expectation as to his future contributions in leading the Company.

      At the beginning of each year, performance objectives for purposes of determining annual profit sharing are also established based upon operating earnings. At the end of each year, performance against these objectives is determined by an arithmetic calculation. In determining the profit sharing in 2005 for eligible employees, including the Named Officers, the Committee reviews management’s recommendations with the Chief Executive Officer based on individual performance. The results of

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      The Committee believes that its compensation policies have successfully focused the Company’s senior management on building continued profitability and shareholder value.

      The foregoing report has been furnished by members of the Salary Committee.

SHAREHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE PRESENTATION

     Set forth below is a line graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total shareholder return on the Company’s Common Shares against the cumulative total return of the American Stock Exchange Market Value Index and a Peer Group Index for the period of five fiscal years commencing January 1, 2001 and ending December 31, 2005. The issuers in the Peer Group Index were selected on a line-of-business basis by reference to SIC Code 3561— Pumps and Pumping Equipment. The Peer Group Index is composed of the following issuers: Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp., Dyneco Corporation, Flowserve Corp., Graco Inc., Idex Corp., Met-Pro Corp., Robbins & Myers Inc. and Roper Industries Inc., in addition to the Company.

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COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN

• ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JAN. 1, 2001

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APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

(Proposal No. 2)

     A proposal will be presented at the Meeting to ratify the appointment by the Audit Review Committee of the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP as independent public accountants for the Company during the year ending December 31, 2006. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.

      The Company paid Ernst & Young LLP the following fees in connection with the Company’s fiscal years ending December 31, 2005 and 2004:

      Audit Fees — $795,000 (2005); $865,000 (2004). Audit fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements and the reviews of the Company’s interim financial statements included in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or services that are normally provided by the accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years. The fees paid in 2004 and 2005 also cover services performed in connection with the Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 attestation and other Sarbanes-Oxley requirements.

      Audit-Related Fees — $30,000 (2005); $30,000 (2004). Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s financial statements and are not reported under the caption “Audit Fees.” The audit-related fees were paid for the following services: benefit plan audits.

      Tax Fees — $48,000 (2005); $205,000 (2004). Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. The tax fees were paid for the following services: federal and international tax planning and advice; federal, state, local and international tax compliance; state and local tax consulting; form 5500 compliance issues; Canadian compliance issues; and other tax advice and assistance regarding statutory and regulatory matters.

      All Other Fees — $0 (2005); $0 (2004). The “all other fees” category consists of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided, other than the services reported in the foregoing three paragraphs.

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      Under its Charter, the Audit Review Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors is directly responsible for the oversight of the work of Ernst & Young LLP and has the sole authority to (i) appoint, retain and terminate Ernst & Young LLP, (ii) pre-approve all audit engagement fees, terms and services, and (iii) pre-approve scope and fees for any non-audit engagements with Ernst & Young LLP. The Committee exercises this authority in a manner consistent with applicable law and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the American Stock Exchange, and Ernst & Young LLP reports directly to Committee. In addition, the Committee has determined to delegate its authority to grant any pre-approvals to its Chairman, subject to the report of any such pre-approvals to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting. With respect to certain of the services categorized above, the following percentage of services were rendered by Ernst & Young LLP in accordance with the annual de minimus exception to the pre-approval requirement: Audit-Related Fees — 0%; Tax Fees — 0%; All Other Fees — 0%.

      Ratification by the shareholders of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is not required by law. However, the Board of Directors believes that shareholders should be given this opportunity to express their views on the subject. While not binding on the Audit Review Committee of the Board of Directors, the failure of the shareholders to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants would be considered by the Audit Review Committee in determining whether to continue the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Review Committee of the Board of Directors may, in its discretion, select a different firm of independent public accountants for the Company at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

      The Directors recommend a vote FOR Proposal No. 2 to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent public accountants.

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     The Company’s 2005 annual report to shareholders, including financial statements, is being mailed concurrently with this Proxy Statement to all shareholders of the Company.

      The cost of soliciting proxies will be paid by the Company. In addition to the use of the mails, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone, telecopy or other means of communication by a few officers or regular employees of the Company. No separate compensation will be paid for the solicitation of proxies, although the Company may reimburse brokers and other persons holding Common Shares in their names or in the names of nominees for their expenses in sending proxy material to the beneficial owners of such Common Shares.

      Any proposal by a shareholder intended to be presented at the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders must be received by the Company for inclusion in the proxy statement and form of proxy of the Company relating to such meeting on or before November 29, 2006. If a shareholder proposal is received after February 27, 2007, it will be considered untimely and the proxy holders may use their discretionary voting authority if and when the proposal is raised at such annual meeting, without any discussion of the matter in the proxy statement. The Board of Directors’ proxy for the 2007 annual meeting of shareholders will grant discretionary voting authority to the proxy holders with respect to any such proposal received after February 27, 2007.

      Any shareholder wishing to communicate with the Board of Directors may send a written statement or inquiry to the Company’s Corporate Secretary. All writings will be acknowledged by the Corporate Secretary and presented for consideration and response at the next scheduled Board meeting.

OTHER BUSINESS

     Financial and other reports will be submitted to the Meeting, but it is not intended that any action will be taken in respect thereof. The Company did not receive notice by February 28, 2006 of, and the Board of Directors is not aware of, any matters other than those referred to in this Proxy Statement which might be brought before the Meeting for action. Therefore, if any such other matters should arise, it is intended that the persons appointed as proxy holders will vote or act thereon in accordance with their own judgment.

      You are urged to date, sign and return your proxy promptly. For your convenience, enclosed is a self-addressed return envelope requiring no postage if mailed in the United States.

March 29, 2006

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APPENDIX

THE GORMAN-RUPP COMPANY

AUDIT REVIEW COMMITTEE CHARTER

Purposes

      The purposes of the Committee are to (a) assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling the Board of Directors’ oversight responsibilities with respect to (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditors’ qualifications and independence, and (iv) the performance of the independent auditors and the Company’s internal audit function; and (b) prepare the Committee’s report to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement (the “Audit Review Committee Report”).

Authority of the Committee

      The Committee has the sole authority to (a) appoint, retain and terminate the Company’s independent auditors, (b) pre-approve all audit engagement fees, terms and services, and (c) pre-approve any non-audit engagements with the Company’s independent auditors. The independent auditors shall report directly to the Committee. The Committee shall exercise this authority in a manner consistent with applicable law and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and the American Stock Exchange, LLC (“AMEX”). The Committee may delegate the authority to grant any pre-approvals required by applicable law or rules to one or more members of the Committee as it designates, subject to the delegated member or members reporting any such pre-approvals to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

      The Committee shall have the resources and authority necessary to discharge its responsibilities as required by law, including the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors as the Committee deems necessary to carry out its duties, and the Company will provide appropriate funding as determined by the Committee.

Composition of the Committee

      The Committee shall consist of at least three members. The Board of Directors will appoint the members and the Chairman of the Committee. Committee members shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and for such term or terms as the Board of Directors may determine.

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      Each Committee member shall (a) meet the independence criteria of the rules of the SEC and the AMEX, and (b) be financially literate or become financially literate within a reasonable period of time after his or her appointment to the Committee. Additionally, at least one member of the Committee shall have accounting or related financial management expertise sufficient to meet the criteria of a “financial expert” within the meaning of the SEC rules.

      Each Committee member shall serve on no more than three audit committees of public companies (including the Company).

Meetings of the Committee

      The Committee shall meet in person or telephonically at least quarterly, or more frequently as it may determine necessary. The Chairman of the Committee shall, in consultation with the other members of the Committee, the Company’s independent auditors and the appropriate officers of the Company, be responsible for calling meetings of the Committee, establishing agenda therefor and supervising the conduct thereof. The Committee may also take any action permitted hereunder by unanimous written consent.

      The Committee may invite any officer or employee of the Company or the Company’s outside legal counsel or independent auditors or others to attend a meeting of the Committee. The Committee shall meet quarterly with the Company’s management, and as needed with the internal audit staff and/or the independent auditors to discuss any matter that the Committee, management, the independent auditors or such other persons believe should be discussed.

Duties and Responsibilities of the Committee

      The Committee is responsible for overseeing the Company’s financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors.

      The Committee shall carry out the following responsibilities:

Financial Statements

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Internal Audit

Independent Audit

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Compliance

Reporting Responsibility

Other Responsibilities

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Audit Review Committee Report

Annual Review of Charter

Annual Performance Evaluation

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