Photo by Vermeer of employees returning to work Monday.

Vermeer Corporation has provided an update to KNIA/KRLS regarding the status of their campus after last week’s EF-3 tornado.
While there was significant damage to many areas of campus, several buildings sustained zero to little damage and were back in operation on Monday, and only minor injuries were sustained and those injured were released from medical care by Thursday evening.
The team in Pella has been actively working to bring the production lines in the affected facilities back to full operation. Within 12 hours, Vermeer’s parts distribution center, which received only minor damage, was back online. Plant 4 and 7, the primary production facility for tree care, landscaping and small pedestrian trenching products, as well as the facility for large horizontal directional drills and reclaimers were moderately impacted by the storm. Their goal is to safely clean up these plants and restore operations by the end of next week.
However, Vermeer P.R. staff says it will take time to restore production to the facilities hit the hardest.
“Plant 5 and 6, that house the manufacturing of our small and medium sized horizontal directional drills, utility tractors and some of our large grinders, were severely impacted. We are underway relocating the resources and team members from these plants.”
On Monday, returning team members were welcomed back on campus by CEO Jason Andringa and Vice President of Operations Bill Blackorby to resume operations “in the spirit of strength
and safety.” By 9 a.m., their first piece of equipment rolled off the line. Andringa and key leadership spent the better part of Monday holding informational sessions in Pella, Knoxville, Eddyville and Newton for team members who have not yet returned to work.
As of today, 72% of employees are back, with intentions to grow that number daily.
“I’ve never been more proud or inspired by this team. The progress already made is obviously incredible. We are rebuilding and we will come back stronger than ever. We already are.” Andringa said.