Latest News
Vermeer MV Solutions Welcomes John Place as New Engineering Manager
John Place joins the team with 21 years of industry experience
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 30, 2019 — Vermeer MV Solutions announces the addition of John Place as a new engineering manager based out of Greenville, South Carolina. In his new role, Place will manage and assist the engineering team throughout the development of new products and provide support for the Greenville and Okahumpka, Florida, locations.
For the past 21+ years, Place has served as a product engineering expert within manufacturing roles. He has a proven track record in leading, managing, monitoring and executing improved manufacturing methodology while engaging, coaching and leveraging teams of individuals to deliver value.
“John’s entire career has been focused on encouraging and leading cross-functional teams and improving processes to reduce costs,” said Dave Van Wyk, Vermeer MV Solutions general manager. “He has a passion forchange and strives to challenge the status quo while weighing risks to the business. We are pleased to have someone of his caliber joining the Vermeer MV Solutions team.”
ABOUT VERMEER MV SOLUTIONS
Meet the new powerhouse in vacuum excavation technology and equipment. We’ve brought together two innovative leaders in the underground utility and soft-dig industries. Today, McLaughlin Group Inc. and Vac-Tron Equipment are one, giving you the power to leverage their combined technology, market expertise and production capabilities on jobsites all over the world. Learn more at your local Vermeer dealer.
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Please send all inquiries to: [email protected]

Vermeer MV Solutions Welcomes New West Coast Regional Sales Manager
Jason Dewitt joins the Vermeer team with 12 years of experience of various equipment industry roles
GREENVILLE, South Carolina, May 28, 2019 — Vermeer MV Solutions is building upon its already strong customer service in the drilling industry with the addition of Jason Dewitt as the new west coast regional sales manager based out of Exeter, California. In his new role, Dewitt will manage sales activities within his region and provide quality support to the dealers in those territories by determining dealer sales and marketing needs.
Over the years, Dewitt has held various equipment sales roles with increasing responsibilities — including previous positions with Vermeer Pacific and Vermeer Rocky Mountain. He has also served in the United States Air Force and as a police officer in Billings, Montana, and Visalia, California.
“Jason’s previous roles in equipment sales and his career as a police officer have molded him into an efficient leader with a team-oriented mindset,” said Vermeer MV Solutions director of sales Brian Showley. “We have no doubt that he will be able to hit the ground running with his passions for building strong relationships and providing quality customer service.”
ABOUT VERMEER MV SOLUTIONS
Meet the new powerhouse in vacuum excavation technology and equipment. We’ve brought together two innovative leaders in the underground utility and soft-dig industries. Today, McLaughlin Group Inc. and Vac-Tron Equipment are one, giving you the power to leverage their combined technology, market expertise and production capabilities on jobsites all over the world. Learn more at your local Vermeer dealer.
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Please send all inquiries to: [email protected]

Vermeer Corporation Announces Acquisition of Vac-Tron Equipment, LLC.
MCLAUGHLIN GROUP, INC. AND VAC-TRON EQUIPMENT, LLC COME TOGETHER AS VERMEER MV SOLUTIONS.
PELLA, I.A. — November 12, 2018 — Vermeer Corporation announced its purchase of Vac-Tron Equipment, LLC, and its plans to bring the Florida-based company together with McLaughlin Group, Inc. which was purchased by Vermeer in 2017. This acquisition and integration of the two companies builds on the Vermeer strategy to provide a comprehensive suite of vacuum excavation technology, equipment, training and support to the growing underground utility and soft dig markets.
Founded in 1997, Vac-Tron has grown to become a respected brand known for innovative, high-quality vacuum excavation products sold and serviced across underground utility markets. Headquartered in Okahumpka, FL, Vac-Tron offices and production facilities employ more than 100 people. For the last 13 years, Vac-Tron products have been sold almost exclusively through the Vermeer dealer network.
McLaughlin, a drill tooling and vacuum excavation company founded in 1921 and located in Greenville, South Carolina with more than 100 team members, brought nearly a century of industry knowledge into the Vermeer fold last year.
“This acquisition allows us to leverage the innovation, market expertise and production capabilities across our McLaughlin, Vac-Tron and Vermeer brands to meet increasing customer demand while giving our dealers a more efficient, single-point connection to a full product lineup. Coming together solidifies the long-term strategy and commitment to support customers and dealers in a unified way,” said Jason Andringa, Vermeer Corporation president and CEO.
Operating under the combined group Vermeer MV Solutions, the organization will continue to provide Vermeer-branded vacuum excavation equipment and technology through dedicated Vac-Tron and McLaughlin series product lines as well as McLaughlin branded utility accessories and auger boring systems.
Vermeer MV Solutions will operate under one combined leadership and sales team led by General Manager Dave Van Wyk. Leadership at both Vac-Tron and McLaughlin will come together and serve as a unified team, bringing the strengths and best practices together in the areas of innovation, design, manufacturing, sales and customer support. The Florida and South Carolina locations will continue production as they work together to meet the growing demand within the soft dig markets.
“We’ve been proud to have the Vermeer name on our equipment for the past 13 years. Now, we are proud to formally be a part of the Vermeer family. We look forward to investing with McLaughlin and Vermeer to deliver the technology and equipment our customers need as we provide the highest quality product for the customer,” said Tim Fischer, Vac-Tron president.
About Vermeer –Vermeer Corporation delivers a real impact in a progressing world through the manufacture of high-quality underground construction, surface mining, tree care, environmental and agricultural equipment. With a reputation for durability and reliability, that equipment is backed by localized customer service and support provided by independent dealers around the world. To learn more about Vermeer Corporation, visit vermeer.com. To dig into the Vermeer story, visit vermeerimpact.com.
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Please send all sales inquiries to: [email protected]

McLaughlin Adds Application Engineer, Neville Missen
GREENVILLE, S.C. — August 28, 2018 — McLaughlin Group, Inc. continues to grow its expertise in the underground construction industry with the addition of Neville Missen, an industry veteran who has played in integral role in developing microtunneling equipment and steerable rock systems. In his new role as applications engineer for McLaughlin auger boring equipment, On Target steering systems and steerable rock systems, Missen will work with contractors, dealers and the McLaughlin team to develop innovative equipment solutions that will continue to advance the industry.
Missen, a native of Australia, has owned and operated Boretec Microtunneling Pty, Ltd, managed Bullseye Microtunneling, and served as an equipment sales representative for Vermeer Australia.
“Neville has been a trusted partner of ours for many years,” explained Dave Gasmovic, business development manager at McLaughlin. “We worked with him when he was a contractor and he always provided helpful information for developing new products. From the work Neville has done testing machinery to the role he’s served in designing new equipment, he has helped fuel the growth of auger boring and microtunneling. We are excited to have him working for McLaughlin.”
For more information about McLaughlin products and services, visit www.mclaughlinunderground.comor email McLaughlin at [email protected].
About McLaughlin
McLaughlin, a Vermeer Company, has been actively involved in the drilling tool industry for more than 95 years. McLaughlin has a reputation for designing and building dependable trenchless construction equipment. McLaughlin takes pride in providing solutions for OEMs and the underground industry.
McLaughlin Group, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in engineering, design and specifications; add improvements; or discontinue manufacturing at any time without notice or obligation. McLaughlin and the McLaughlin logo are trademarks ofMcLaughlin Group, Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries.© 2018 McLaughlin Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Please send all reader inquiries to:
McLaughlin Group, Inc.
2006 Perimeter Road
Greenville, SC 29605
Please send all sales inquiries to: [email protected]
