Company Founder Gary Vermeer Dies
Gary Vermeer, 90, founder and chairman emeritus of the Vermeer Corp., died Feb. 2 in Pella, Iowa. He is survived by his wife, Matilda, three children and their spouses. Robert Vermeer and Mary Vermeer Andringa serve as co-CEOs. Three grandchildren also are active in the company. Born Sept. 29, 1918, in Pella, Vermeer married Matilda Van Gorp in 1941. He and a cousin began the family business in 1948 after demand for a wagon hoist they had invented continued to grow. Vermeer is perhaps best known for introducing the round hay baler in 1971. He was named Iowa Inventor of the Year in 1984, was inducted into the Iowa Business Hall of Fame in 1986, the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Achievement in 1992 and the Construction Equipment Industry Hall of Fame in 1996. Today the Vermeer Corp., headquartered in Pella, manufactures agricultural, construction, environmental and industrial equipment, with dealerships in 60 countries.
Bord na Mona Opens Innovation Center
Bord na Mona Environmental Products U.S. Inc. has opened its Innovation Center, built on a 22,500-square-foot site adjacent to the Greensboro, N.C., wastewater treatment facility. The facility enables the company to increase research, development and optimization of new wastewater, air and water reuse technologies.
Zoeller VP of Marketing Retires
Mike Babrowski has retired as vice president of marketing after 26 years with the Zoeller Co. He was an active member of the Vendor Member Division and the American Supply Association, as well as other business and professional organizations in Louisville, Ky.
SludgeHammer Receives NSF 40 Certification
The SludgeHammer aerobic bacterial generator has passed testing for NSF 40 certification. The six-month test consists of handling a daily minimum of 400 gallons of raw sewage effluent in a residential treatment system and producing an acceptable quality effluent.
