Vermeer acquires McLaughlin, expands reach into utility market

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Updated Sep 25, 2017
McLaughlin’s VXT Series Mega-Vac vacuum excavator.McLaughlin’s VXT Series Mega-Vac vacuum excavator.

Vermeer has acquired McLaughlin Group after buying a minority interest in the drill and vacuum excavator manufacturer in 2012.

Vermeer announced that it has bought all remaining non-Vermeer interests of McLaughlin Group.

McLaughlin, based in Greenville, South Carolina, will keep its name and brand for its products.

Dave Van Wyk, former senior director of lifecycle solutions at Vermeer, will serve as general manager. McLaughlin President and CEO Dave Gasmovic will serve as business development manager, and Jeff Wage will remain sales director, according to Vermeer.

The terms of the purchase were not revealed. Gasmovic was the primary shareholder when Vermeer bought minority interest in the private company in 2012.

“We have worked closely with Vermeer, and I can confidently say that incorporating the McLaughlin products into the Vermeer lineup will be a positive for the McLaughlin team and the customers we serve,” Gasmovic said in a news release. “We look forward to being a part of the Vermeer organization.”

Vermeer CEO Jason Adringa said Vermeer was particularly interested in McLaughlin’s products for soft-dig excavation, an area he sees as continuing to grow.

“Our initial investment in McLaughlin created the ideal opportunity to determine how the company culture and product portfolio fit within our organization,” Adringa said in a news release. “Now we look forward to having the McLaughlin team and the products they design and manufacture become part of the comprehensive solution Vermeer provides to the utility market.”

McLaughlin designs and manufacturers auger boring systems, utility locators and a variety of other products for the underground construction industry. It has had a long relationship with the Iowa-based Vermeer through its vacuum products and supplying Vermeer with components for underground products.