Our history

 1945 | top

Following the second world war, Mr J.F.H de Lange was one of numerous businessmen eager to rebuild The Netherlands as a Rotterdam born descendent of a family of successful entrepreneurs.

An experienced engineer, Mr de Lange opened a small factory in Epe with seven employees and launched Veluwse Machine Industrie (VMI). After a lot of hard work to win orders for repairs and small construction work and through a connection with Dutch Railways, VMI began its journey as a progressive company.
 

1950's | top

As business growth continued to gather momentum, VMI became a limited company, NV Veluwse Machine Industry on November 26 and extended its production area. The number of employees had risen to 77. During this decade VMI not only continued its association with the Dutch rubber industry but also commenced the production of stainless steel apparatus for the chemical and petro-chemical industries.

1960’s | top

VMI's profile in the Dutch rubber industry went from strength to strength enabling them to establish the basis for future development. They also intensified their connection with American machinery manufacturers and through licensed agreements were able to double their annual turnover.

At the same time additional adjacent property was acquired on the Epe site resulting in the completion of a new production facility in 1963. 
 

1970’s | top

VMI looked towards business opportunities in automated tire building systems for single stage tire production and in 1971 developed equipment to produce radial tires whereby all components could be assembled on a single machine.

The following year two further licensed agreements were achieved which enabled VMI to manufacture additional tire machinery and also produce machinery for the can industry.

In 1976 the first single stage VRP 148 tire building machine was launched by VMI plus the modernisation of the machine shop and additions to the tire assembly room product range set the company on its way to becoming a market leader in tire building systems.

1980’s | top

By 1982 VMI's VRP radial tire building system was being used by a number of leading tire manufacturers both in Europe and the USA plus further expansion of facilities took place at Epe.

During this period VMI also looked at further enhancing its international corporate profile and founded a sales and service division in the USA. This important development led to a strong and positive growing influence of VMI.

In 1984 founder Mr Jan de Lange retired, selling his VMI shares to NV Twentsche Kabel Holding.

By 1986 the joint sales and marketing performance of VMI Holland and VMI Americas was gaining further momentum including the sale of 50 single stage VRP tire building machines to one customer. This order coupled with other orders led to an increase of staff to 300 employees by 1988. In the same year a new VMI Americas office and production facilities was opened in America, Stow/Ohio.

1990’s | top

VMI's facilities in The Netherlands were further enlarged and modernised plus in 1996they established a joint-venture company – VMI Yantai Ltd in China.

In 1997 the product portfolio was increased with the introduction of tire test machinery through the acquisition of Lang Automation GmbH and the following year VMI gained a license to produce rubber injection molding machines (RIMM). Towards the end of the decade further new products were introduced including an automated cutter splicing system for rubberised textile material and the revolutionary 4 drum VAST radial truck tire building machine.

2000’s | top

Currently working with around 650 employees in Epe, Yantai and Stow, the production facilities have kept pace with modern technology as the VMI Group supply the world's leading tire manufacturers. Our engineering staff are continually developing the next generation of innovations for the rubber and tire industries.

Total commitment to supplying innovative and reliable equipment and services to the international rubber and tire industries!