Underground Infrastructure - October 2023 - 46

BUSINESS
LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS
Vanair to Expand Indiana
Operations
Vanair Manufacturing Inc., a leading manufacturer
of mobile power products based in
Michigan City, Ind., announced plans to expand
its facilities and create additional employment
opportunities in the region.
The expansion project, approved by the La
Porte County Council, will involve the construction
of a new facility and is expected to generate
75 new jobs. This development marks a significant
milestone for Vanair and demonstrates
the company's commitment to growth and
economic revitalization in La Porte County. The
council unanimously approved a confirmatory
Economic Revitalization Area (ERA) resolution
and a statement of benefits for the company.
Founded in 1972, as a division of Sullair
Corporation and becoming Vanair Manufacturing
in 1984, it has a rich history in the industry.
This is Vanair's third expansion in 15 years to
accommodate the addition of new staff, as well
as innovative products and services to meet the
demand of rising sales.
Under the leadership of CEO Ralph Kokot,
President Greg Kokot, and CFO Bill Anderson,
the company has consistently evolved and expanded
its product offerings, which now include
air compressors, generators, welders, Electrified
Power Equipment, battery chargers, battery
boosters, and engine starters.
The expansion project will add about
100,000 square feet to its current facility. Valued
at approximately $8.3 million, the expansion will
NAM Honors Vermeer's Mary Andringa
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) has named a
meeting room in honor of Mary Andringa, former NAM Board chair
and chair emerita of Vermeer Corporation. The Mary Andringa
Room is one of many conference rooms named after luminaries of
manufacturing, including Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, the
Wright Brothers, Jonas Salk, and Marie Curie.
Andringa served as NAM Board chair from 2011 to 2013 and
has been an active participant on the NAM Board since the
early 2000s. During her time as Board chair, she worked closely
with NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons, sharing best practices and helping in areas that
needed more cooperation, like NAM's partnerships with state associations.
Andringa was also a voice for manufacturing, advocating against compliance regulations that
created needless hardship for manufacturers or for removing trade barriers impeding U.S. exports,
by making her case to policymakers on both sides of the aisle. She felt that policymakers listened
to her and took her opinions seriously, recognizing that her privately held, medium-sized company
was " what America is all about. "
Throughout her career as a manufacturer, she has been a strong advocate for workforce
development and education. She is impressed with the Manufacturing Institute's (MI)
outreach, which includes webinars that help manufacturers recruit workers from populations
they might not be familiar with, such as people with criminal records.
Andringa started her Vermeer career in human resources, then moved to the advertising
department and became deeply involved in manufacturing operations. She championed lean
manufacturing, which the company has now practiced for 25 years, and worked with her family
members to create a solid governance structure to avoid the difficult leadership transitions
family firms often face.
NAM is the nation's most effective resource and influential advocate for manufacturers
across the country, representing 14,000 member companies - from small businesses to global
leaders - in every industrial sector. The organization works for the success of the more than
12.9 million people who make things in America, centered around four values: free enterprise,
competitiveness, individual liberty, and equal opportunity. UI
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vermeer Corporation, (641) 628-3141, vermeer.com
46 OCTOBER 2023 | UndergroundInfrastructure.com
provide increased operational capacity and also
facilitate further vertical integration and the incorporation
of advanced fabrication equipment.
The new building is being constructed by J.
Shoffner of La Porte, with completion expected
in the fourth quarter of this year.
" We are proud to be a part of the hub of the
U.S. here in Northwest Indiana, " remarked Greg
Kokot. " We are grateful for the collaborative
efforts that have put us on the map and allowed
our business to thrive. This expansion will allow
us to better serve our customers and further
contribute to the local economy. "
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Vanair Manufacturing Inc., (800) 526-8817,
vanair.com
Ditch Witch
ditchwitch.com
Careers in horizontal directional drilling (HDD)
can be lucrative and fulfilling. However, a lack of
qualified operators is a major pain point for HDD
companies around the world.
To relieve some of these issues and assist
in workforce development, Ditch Witch
formed a unique partnership with Heavy
Equipment Colleges (HEC) of America, a
nationally accredited institution, recognized
by the Department of Education. Through
this partnership, HEC is now a Ditch Witch
Authorized provider of training courses and
brings instructor-led training on basic machine
operation and job-site safety applications.
Course materials cover everything from
proper PPE and job-site preparation to the
importance of traffic control and equipment
inspection procedures. Participants receive
hands-on training in mud mixing and drilling,
along with HDD tracking and locating.
The program is also a good opportunity for
HDD contractors who have good employees
and want to be promoted from within, but just
lack the time for training. The HDD training from
HEC can be completed in as little as two weeks.

http://www.vanair.com http://www.ditchwitch.com http://www.vermeer.com http://www.UndergroundInfrastructure.com

Underground Infrastructure - October 2023

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