Tornado damages Vermeer plant, workers return

PELLA, Ia. — Seven people were hospitalized with minor injuries at Vermeer Corp. in Pella, Iowa when storms hit the agricultural equipment manufacturing facility Thursday afternoon.

David Ayala was in Vermeer building No. 5 Thursday afternoon. At first, when the alarm went off, he thought it was a drill. But then he realized it was lasting too long.

"All of a sudden, like, big tubs full of metal and cars started flying by the window, and that’s when we realized it was bad," he said in an interview. "And then all of a sudden the lights went off and everyone got to the floor, and the roof next door and the wall came off, and that’s when everybody started freaking out."

Ayala said officials moved him and the other employees because it wasn't safe to stay in the building. When they walked outside, he saw plant Nos. 5 and 7 were damaged. No. 6 was more heavily damaged because it got hit on both sides, he said.

Pella police Lt. Shane Cox praised Vermeer for following its emergency response protocol and getting employees to shelter quickly.

"Those types of actions are paramount in coming out of something like this with only minor injuries," he said.

Billie Rhamy, a spokeswoman with Pella Regional Health Center, said all the workers taken there were treated and released for their injuries.

There were some other people with injuries minor enough that they did not require a hospital visit, Cox said.

Visitors were also gathered at the plant to celebrate Vermeer's 70th anniversary.

Read the full story from the Des Moines Register here.

UPDATE: According to local radio station KNIA/KRLS work has resumed at many of the plants. 

A representative for Vermeer told the stations, “Plant 5 and 6, that house the manufacturing of our small and medium-sized horizontal directional drills, utility tractors and some of our large grinders, were severely impacted. We are underway relocating the resources and team members from these plants.”

On Monday, returning team members were welcomed back on campus by CEO Jason Andringa and Vice President of Operations Bill Blackorby to resume operations “in the spirit of strength
and safety.” By 9 a.m., their first piece of equipment rolled off the line. Andringa and key leadership spent the better part of Monday holding informational sessions in Pella, Knoxville, Eddyville and Newton for team members who have not yet returned to work.

As of today, 72% of employees are back, with intentions to grow that number daily.

“I’ve never been more proud or inspired by this team. The progress already made is obviously incredible. We are rebuilding and we will come back stronger than ever. We already are.” Andringa said.

For the full story from KNIA/KRLS, click here.