Five years ago today, Vermeer Corporation was devastated by an EF-3 tornado.

If one were to drive along the mile today, they may not tell the difference, but the corporation has undergone major transformation since the storm. Vermeer President CEO and President Jason Andringa promised in a press conference on July 19th, 2018, that the corporation would come back better and stronger than ever.

Now, five years later, they’ve opened the new Plant 7, replaced all of the buildings destroyed by the tornado, and created Shop 48 and the new Global Parts Center.

Andringa says it’s hard to believe how quickly the storm came and caused damage, but he’s thankful nobody was seriously injured, and now, they are riding several record years of sales in a row and continued growth.

Hear more from Andringa about the tornado on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.

COVERAGE ON KNIA/KRLS OVER THE YEARS OF THE TORNADO:
Let’s Talk Pella – Witnesses Respond to Tornado’s Wrath at Vermeer – 2018
Vermeer Commemorates One Year Since Vermeer Tornado – 2019
Local Storm Chaser Recalls Vermeer Tornado – 2019
Four Part Let’s Talk Pella Series – 2019
Vermeer Remains Committed to Local Growth After 2018 Tornado – 2020