The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has announced the newest inductee to its Hall of Fame: Mary Andringa of Vermeer Corp.
“We are very pleased to announce and congratulate Mary Andringa as the latest inductee into the AEM Hall of Fame,” says Dennis Slater, AEM president. “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.”
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. Nominations are open year-round before an independent panel of industry experts evaluates potential inductees, with honorees publicly announced and celebrated during special ceremonies at AEM’s annual conference of member companies.
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 www.aem.org/halloffame.
Mary Andringa’s commitment and relentless leadership positioned Vermeer Corporation as a strong voice in the industry — for lean manufacturing, for the education of our future workforce, for 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-inch in-feed brush chipper went from raw steel to finished product in two days, rather than 52.
Starting her career teaching elementary students, Andringa’s passion for education and continuous learning is well-established and has persisted 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 for 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 Vermeer’s 4P Philosophy (principles, people, product and profit), with people singled out as the company’s most important asset. Vermeer initiatives include an onsite primary care clinic and pharmacy for employees and their families.
Andringa is now chair of the board at Vermeer after filling roles as CEO, co-CEO, president and COO. The company says 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.
AEM is the North American-based international trade group providing innovative business development resources to advance the off-road equipment manufacturing industry in the global marketplace. AEM membership comprises more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related sectors worldwide.
