Vermeer looks to strengthen relationship with ISU through new hub
Vermeer CEO Jason Andringa gives a speech at the Vermeer Applied Technology Hub Premiere event on Thursday.
Travis Charlson/Iowa State Daily
The Vermeer Applied Technology Hub officially opened its doors on Thursday, hosting a "Premiere" grand opening event that showcased to the public some of the features and initiatives the new building looks to bring to the Research Park.
The event featured speeches from Vermeer's Chair of the Board Mary Andringa and President and CEO Jason Andringa; Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development; ISU President Steven Leath; and Michael Crum, ISU vice president of economic development and business engagement.
The speakers touted the benefits of the relationship between Vermeer and Iowa State, and spoke of an optimistic future between the two.
"This facility is a wonderful addition to the research park," Leath said. "This is a way to showcase one of our best partnerships here at Iowa State and what is possible through use partnerships."
The facility serves as an office site for Vermeer, where it can better "recruit the sought-after talents and skills of Iowa State University students for Vermeer internships and develop their interest in pursuing full-time career opportunities at Vermeer," according to the Research Park website.
The building features a shop space, offices and laboratories, which attendees had the chance to tour during the event.
Four years ago, Vermeer, which specializes in farm and agriculture equipment, was the first Iowa-based manufacturing cooperation to open in the Research Park.
"It was a strategic move for Vermeer because it allowed them better access and build strong relationships with their future work force," Leath said, referring to the number of ISU students who have gotten internships.
Housed on the second floor of the building is the ISU Startup Factory — an intensive, 52-week program that aims to help entrepreneurs and innovators grow their companies or ideas.
"This an area where start-ups and legacy companies like Vermeer unite in their quest for innovation and their quest for market destination, and quite frankly their quest for talent recruitment," said Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority.
The event featured exhibits from entrepreneurs in the ISU Startup Factory, which allowed them to mingle and showcase their products and ideas with attendees.
"The collaboration between a world-class organization with world-class students like we have here at Iowa State, and the heritage of innovation [at Vermeer] ... I look forward [to] that coming together in this facility and really continuing to drive innovation and collaboration forward," Andringa said.
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