<Font color=red>ON THE ROAD</Font> Vermeer Corp. Celebrates 60 Years

It’s been just shy of 60 years since Gary Vermeer created a mechanical hoist to help expedite the process of unloading harvested crops from his grain wagons. Today, the company employs more than 2,000 people and sells forage, tree care, wood-waste processing, composting, compact and underground installation equipment to outdoor professionals in more than 60 countries.

To celebrate the milestone, Vermeer invited media professionals to the company’s 110-acre facility in Pella, Iowa, Aug. 18 to 20 to see firsthand how the company does what it does. Talks by Bob Vermeer, chairman and CEO, Mary Andringa, president and co-CEO and Jason Andringa, managing director of Vermeer Europe, Middle East and Asia (EMEA), highlighted the company’s morals and ethics, and goals for the future. A visit from Iowa Governor Chet Culver reiterated the importance of Vermeer’s role in the community and throughout the state. 

A prevalent message was the company’s desire to expand into emerging markets - primarily wood-waste processing and recycling; oil and pipeline; surface mining; water and sewer; and biomass. International growth will also continue to be a top priority at Vermeer. The recent placement of Jason Andringa as managing director of Vermeer EMEA is an important step toward strengthening the company’s international presence. In addition to the company’s locations in Pella; Beijing; Singapore; Goes, Netherlands; and Welger and Deutschland Germany; Vermeer will also have a Latin American presence in six to 12 months. This year, international sales comprised 30 percent of Vermeer’s total sales, a number they hope to grow to 40-45 percent next year.

In house, lean manufacturing has changed the way Vermeer does business. Since instituting lean procedures in 1998, lead time for building one machine has dropped from 52 days to 2.5 days. “Lean is a process that can work anywhere,” says Mary Andringa. “It’s a change in a company’s culture and thinking - a relentless pursuit of waste.”

New product introductions were another important part of the two-day event. Below are a few new products for the landscape industry:

Vermeer HG8000
• Horizontal grinder powered by a 1050-hp Tier 3 CAT diesel engine
• Offers the largest infeed opening on the market
• Has a millbox opening of 50 inches high by 71.5 inches wide
• Exclusive SmartGrind feature stops and reverses material from feeding into the patented Duplex Drum when engine rpm drops below an efficient operating range
• Comes equipped with two screens that  allow for countless screen combinations and end product sizing 

Click here to see the HG8000 in action.

Vermeer RTX100

• Utility vehicle has an easy-to-use intuitive steering system and interchangeable tracks and tires
• VZ Steer system allows the operator to simply move the handlebars in the direction the operator wants to move, and the machine responds
• When moving, the input and pace of the operator moving the handlebar controls the angle and sharpness of the turn, allowing the operator to maneuver in and around confined spaces and around obstacles
• Powered by either a 13-hp Honda GX390 or 15-hp Kohler CH15 gas engine

Click here for a video introducing the RTX100.

Vermeer RTX750

• Newest addition to the series of utility installation machines featuring the innovative quad-track system
• Quad-track design maximizes tractive effort and stability by maintaining constant four-point ground contact and providing full power to all four tracks
• One-piece automotive-style hood is designed to maximize visibility during backfilling and transport
• Will be available with a vibratory plow, trencher, sliding offset trencher, combination trencher/plow, reel carrier and backhoe attachments

Vermeer BC2100XL 
• Brush chipper powered by either a 215 hp, 250 hp, or 275 hp Tier 3 diesel engine
• Has a 21-inch capacity and the largest infeed table in its class
• Offset horizontal feed rollers have theoretical combined 10,000 pounds of pulling force
• A belt-tensioned clutch-less design helps decrease the cost of operation associated with clutch failures
• Optional manual or hydraulic outriggers support the back of the chipper, preventing the unit from bouncing while chipping or while loading large diameter material onto the feed table

Click here to see a live demo of the BC2100XL.

Vermeer SC852
• Stump cutter can achieve cutting heights of 31 inches above ground and 25 inches below
• Powered by an 85 hp Cummins Tier 3 turbocharged diesel engine, producing 224 ft-lbs of torque at 1600 rpm
• Oscillating steering axles provide 8 inches of wheel lift over obstacles

Click here to see the SC852 in action.