AEM Hall of Fame Inducts Mary Andringa of Vermeer Corp.
Vermeer Corp. chair of the board Mary Andringa has been inducted into the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Hall of Fame, the association announced Nov. 20.
The AEM Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose innovations, ideas and leadership have advanced the off-road equipment manufacturing industry and contributed to its success in the past and into tomorrow.
“We are very pleased to announce and congratulate Mary Andringa as the latest inductee into the AEM Hall of Fame,” said AEM president Dennis Slater. “She joins an elite group of respected industry leaders whose work and accomplishments inspire the next generation to continue our industry’s legacy of progress enhancing productivity, sustainability, and economic and social prosperity.”
Nominations for the AEM Hall of Fame are open year-round. An independent panel of industry experts evaluates potential inductees, and honorees are publicly announced and celebrated during special ceremonies at AEM’s annual conference of member companies.
Andringa’s commitment and relentless leadership positioned Vermeer as a strong voice in the industry — for lean manufacturing, for the education of our future workforce, for the legislation of policies having a positive impact on manufacturing, for family owned and operated companies and for taking care of the people of Vermeer.
Andringa’s own investment into lean manufacturing led to organization-wide change for continuous improvement and growth. An example of success: Vermeer’s 12-in. in-feed brush chipper went from raw steel to finished product in two days, rather than 52.
Starting her career teaching elementary students, Andringa has a passion for education and continuous learning that’s continued throughout her time at Vermeer. This passion prompted Vermeer to expand its education initiatives at all levels — early childhood education with an onsite early learning center, college-age students with an international leadership program and onsite facility at Iowa State University, as well as adults with preparation for retirement.
Andringa actively communicates and collaborates with legislators on issues that matter to advanced manufacturing, exporters and small- to medium- sized businesses. She served on the President’s Export Council and Ex-Im Bank Advisory Committee, chaired the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and was co-chair of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.
Continuing the legacy her father left, Andringa helped define and promote the Vermeer 4P Philosophy (principles, people, product and profit), with people being our most important asset. Vermeer initiatives include an onsite primary care clinic and pharmacy for employees and their families.
Now serving as Vermeer’s chair of the board, Andringa has also held the positions of CEO, co-CEO, president and COO. Her level of passion and commitment have made her a voice of change and innovation not only at Vermeer, but in the industry and community.
The AEM Hall of Fame traces its roots to 1993 and the not-for profit industry-wide Construction Equipment Hall of Fame initiated by Construction Equipment magazine. AEM served on the Hall of Fame Board of Directors; it took over ownership and operation in 2008, creating the AEM Hall of Fame for the off-road equipment manufacturing industry.
More than 60 industry leaders have been inducted into the AEM Hall of Fame since its inception in 1993. Learn more and read their stories at aem.org/HallofFame.
Tags: AEM, AEM Hall of Fame, Mary Andringa, Vermeer
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