The history of Vermeer, its community and its products are briefly chronicled here but be sure to visit the Vermeer museum next time you're in town. The museum is located in the Vermeer Global Pavilion, a 75,000 square foot (6,967 square meter), world-class training facility located in Pella, Iowa, USA.

The Vermeer Museum
2110 Vermeer Road East
Pella, Iowa, USA 50219
Open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., or by appointment.
 

1948
Gary Vermeer creates a mechanical hoist to ease the process of unloading his grain wagon during harvest. As word spreads, Gary (along with cousin and local banker Ralph Vermeer) starts Vermeer Manufacturing Co. on November 22, 1948. As the company grows, so does its product lines.

1950
Portable PTO-powered hammermills, designed to eliminate flat belts and pulleys (which often slip when grinding grain in cold or wet weather), are introduced by Vermeer and spark new growth. Later, Vermeer introduces additional PTO-driven products that further define the Vermeer product line, especially in the early 1950s.

1956
Vermeer introduces the Pow-R-Sprinkler, a self-propelled irrigation system, which gently distributes water in large circles over crops. Shortly thereafter, the company goes international and launches a self-propelled Pow-R-Ditcher (trencher). As the trend for environmentally-friendly underground utility installations increases, Vermeer rubber tire and track trenchers experience tremendous growth.

1957
While testing a new stump cutter prototype, a Vermeer employee accidentally hits the wrong lever causing the cutting wheel to move horizontally across the stump. This mistake leads to the production of a top-of-the-line stump cutter design that is still being used today.

1958
The Vermeer Board of Directors creates its first charitable foundation, and continues to donate generously today through the Vermeer Charitable Foundation (VCF).
 

1959
The first Vermeer exclusive industrial dealership is established in Findlay, OH, by Art Van Weeldon.

1966
Vermeer introduces the concept of “instant shade” with the mechanized tree spade. Later that year, England’s Queen Elizabeth pulls the lever to operate the original tree mover design (with a Vermeer TM-700), part of a beautification project in the northwest area of Great Britain.

1970
Vermeer International is incorporated in Goes, the Netherlands as a subsidiary of Vermeer Manufacturing Co. In 1998, Vermeer International is moved to its current location. Then in 2008, the name is changed to “Vermeer EMEA” to represent the Vermeer office for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

1971
One of Gary Vermeer’s personal friends tells him he intends to sell his cow-calf business due to the hassles of baling hay and finding dependable hired hands to help put it up. The very next morning, with help from Vermeer product engineers, Vermeer chalks the initial design of the original Vermeer baler on the factory floor; 45 days later, the first prototype rolls out the door and the “One-Man Hay System” is born.

1973
To increase hay production and hydraulically “size” windrows to the new big round baler, Vermeer adds the unique, narrow-folding TwinRake to a rapidly expanding hay product line.

1989
Gary Vermeer retired as CEO of Vermeer Corporation at age 71, and continues to act as Chairman Emeritus of the Board and run his private farming operation.

1991
Vermeer was ready for another huge expansion. With the introduction of the D-7T NAVIGATOR, the first Vermeer horizontal directional drill, the Trenchless segment was off and running.

In 1991 Vermeer founded “Vermeer University” to provide development and training to its dealers and the company work force. The university expanded the role of service schools to include employee job skills training.

1997
A new “Lean Initiative” takes hold as Vermeer applies the same innovative thinking used in designing equipment in other areas of the operation. This relentless pursuit of waste streamlines manufacturing and significantly improves cost management, quality, lead time, customer service and many other aspects of the business.

1998
During their 50th Anniversary, Vermeer unveils the new Global Pavilion, Bob Vermeer and Mary Vermeer Andringa are named Ernst & Young Entrepreneurs of the Year and Vermeer receives the prestigious Presidential E-Star Award, presented by Governor Branstad.

1999
In an effort to meet the needs of part time farmers and ranchers who want the freedom and convenience of rolling their own bales (according to their own schedules), Vermeer introduces the new Rebel® baler, the most popular baler ever built at Vermeer.

2002
Vermeer introduces the first Terrain Leveler attachment for surface mining, launches the HG525 horizontal grinder for wood waste reclamation, enters the jumbo drill market (D150x300) and opens its first dealership in China (based in Shanghai).

2005
Due to extreme growth in Asia, Vermeer enters a joint venture with Balama Prima in Beijing, China to manufacture Navigator horizontal directional drills that are specially designed for the region.

2006
Vermeer manufactures compost turners to complement their wide range of recycling products; one year later, they ink an agreement with Wildcat Manufacturing (based in South Dakota) and expand the product offering.

2006
In 2006, to reflect Vermeer’s global business, the new V logo was introduced. Vermeer Manufacturing also changed its name to Vermeer Corporation, to better reflect the global culture and expansion of product and service offerings.

2007
Vermeer signs an agreement with Wildcat Manufacturing (based in South Dakota) and expands the manufacturing of compost turners to complement its line organic recycling products.

2007
With the market for maxi drill rigs growing globally, Vermeer saw opportunity within the gas, oil and major water and sewer work areas. In 2007, Vermeer acquired the horizontal directional drill operating assets of Horizontal Rig & Equipment (HRE), a prominent manufacturer of maxi horizontal directional drilling rigs.  
 

2008
Vermeer Corporation, along with the Dutch-based Lely Group, acquires German agricultural baler and bale-wrapper manufacturer Welger Maschinenfabrik GmbH to expand global presence in grassland machinery and baling equipment.

2008
Vermeer opens an office in Singapore to provide additional sales, marketing, equipment and parts support to the Asia-Pacific region.

2009
Vermeer opens an office in Valinhos, Brazil to serve the needs of the Latin American market. The facility will play an integral role in product development and support local sales and marketing efforts in the region.

2009
Gary Vermeer, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Vermeer Corporation, passes away at 90 years of age.

2009
Vermeer is recognized with the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award designed to recognize leadership and innovation in managing natural resources.