Our history

 1945 | top

After the second world war numerous energetic entrepreneurs were eager to rebuild the country. One of them was J.F.H. de Lange, Rotterdam-born descendant of a family of entrepreneurs. Being an engineer and experienced manager, he decided to spread his wings and start an enterprise. He ended up in Epe, where a small factory was for sale. He began with just 7 employees. The foundation for the “Veluwse Machine Industrie” (VMI) was an established fact.

It took a lot of leg work to win orders for repairs and small construction work. More promising were the railways and the marine industry. The founder’s contacts with Dutch Railways gradually started to bear fruit; the biggest start-up difficulties had been overcome.

1950's | top

Priod of modest growth was imminent and so measures were taken to enlarge the production area. Further it was decided to turn the private enterprise into a limited liability company. This transition into the NV Veluwse Machine Industry became effective on November 26, 1953. At that time the number of staff had grown from the 7 employees originally employed to a total of 77.

The new company’s initial contacts with the Dutch rubber industry also date back to this period. Apart from the initial steps as supplier to the rubber industry, VMI also concentrated on the production of stainless steel apparatus for the chemical and petro-chemical industry.

1960’s | top

The Sixties were characterized by a strengthening of VMI’s ties with the rubber industry and in this way the basis was laid for the considerable development.

VMI intensified contacts with a few American machinery manufacturers. License agreements made it possible for VMI to double its turnover.

Good contacts with the local authorities and neighborhood enabled the management to acquire adjacent property. In 1963 the construction of a new production-facility was completed.

1970’s | top

VMI saw business opportunities in automated tire-building systems for single-stage tire production. In 1971 the R&D group started to work on the assignment “to develop a machine for the manufacture of radial tires such that all components could be assembled on one single machine”.

In 1972, two additional license agreements were signed, under which VMI was granted the manufacturing rights to make additional machinery for the tire segment; and the company also diversified into machinery for the can industry.

By 1976 the first single stage VRP 148 tire building machine (a 100% VMI development) was completed successfully and the marketing could begin. VMI’s ambition to become a market leader for tire building systems involved a number of conditions: a modernization of the machine-shop and a further extension of the product range for the tire assembly rooms.

1980’s | top

By 1982 VMI attained a breakthrough with its VRP radial-tire building system at a number of leading tire-manufacturers both in Europe and the USA.

Apart from expanding its facilities in Epe, the company recognized its need of an international presence. The foundation of a sales and service unit it the USA was a logical step; and, as would become evident later, this fact had a strong, positive influence on the market’s appreciation of VMI.

In 1984 the founder of VMI Mr Jan de Lange retired and sold the shares of VMI to NV Twentsche Kabel Holding.

In 1986 the joint marketing efforts of VMI Holland BV and VMI Americas, Inc. resulted into a contract for 50 single stage VRP tire building systems from one single customer. The manufacturing of these machines within a relatively short period in addition to the normal level of smaller orders called for a temporary increase of staff to a level of 300 employees by 1988.

In the same year a new office and production facilities were constructed in Stow OH, for VMI Americas, Inc.

1990’s | top

VMI’s facilities in the Netherlands were further enlarged and modernized.

In 1996 VMI expanded its activities by the establishment of joint-venture company VMI Yantai, Ltd.
in Yantai - Shandong Province in China.

In 1997 VMI increased its product portfolio with tire test machinery by the purchase of Lang Automation GmbH. In 1998 a license was obtained for the production of rubber injection molding machines (RIMM).

At the end of the nineties new products were launched such as an automated cutter-splicing system for rubberized textile material and the revolutionary 4-drum VAST machine that builds radial truck tires within 3 minutes.

2000’s | top

VMI is now working with some 650 employees in Epe, Yantai and Stow. Our production facilities are modern and spacious. Our engineering staff is developing the next innovations for the rubber and tire industries. VMI continues to grow its business.

We are proud to work together with the world’s leading tire manufacturers.

After all those years, one thing has remained the same:
VMI’s commitment to supplying innovative and reliable services and equipment to the rubber and tire industry.
Rightfully VMI is known as the leader in millroom equipment and tire building machines for radial car and truck tires.

VMI: a partner to rely on in the race against time - and your competitors!