When adversity strikes, it’s easy to see what you can’t control. It’s far more difficult to recognize what you can control. The toughest task of all, however, is figuring out how to respond accordingly.
For Jason Andringa and his colleagues at Vermeer Corporation, a concerted effort to remain focused on what can be controlled has been critical to the Pella, Iowa based equipment manufacturer and AEM member company’s ability to weather the now weeks-long COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the organization’s operations. And while the circumstances have been challenging, Vermeer’s even-keeled, measured response to the crisis has served the company well during these uncertain and unusual times.
Vermeer’s impact has been significant. The company’s team members are working together with RP America to make face shields for healthcare workers fighting COVID-19 on the front lines at Pella Regional Health Center in Iowa. Employing cutting-edge 3D printing technology, Vermeer successfully worked with hospital officials to determine the best design of a visor piece for use on the face shield. The company then worked alongside local 3D printer owners in an effort to spur even more production of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic became apparent to Vermeer officials when the company’s operation in Tianjin, China was forced to shut down earlier this year as part of a lockdown in the region. In order to reopen, Vermeer officials were required to implement several measures, from distribution of facemasks and PPE to coordination of employee temperature readings. Thanks to their prompt and successful response, Vermeer was one of the first companies in Tianjin to open up once government officials lifted the lockdown.
The Vermeer president and chief executive officer cited vigilant efforts related to social distancing, hand-washing, and sanitization as key measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent infection among the company’s workforce. So far, the steps taken have been extremely successful. Vermeer has seen only one confirmed case among its 3,500 team members, and company employees feel as safe, sound and secure as possible in the current situation when on the job.
Published in the June 2020 Edition