An early VMI dredge on the water. Built with skill, steel, and quiet determination. Some things never change.

  

 #ThrowbackThursday

An early VMI dredge on the water. Built with skill, steel, and quiet determination.

Some things never change.

#VMIDredges #ThisIsHowYouDredge #dredgemanufacturer

#ThrowbackThursday One of our early dredges doing what VMI has always done best: move material, shape waterways, and outlast expectations.

    #ThrowbackThursday

One of our early dredges doing what VMI has always done best: move material, shape waterways, and outlast expectations.

#ThisIsHowYouDredge #VMIDredges #DredgeManufacturer

A step back in time: one of our early VMI dredges cutting through overgrown waterways.

   #ThrowbackThursday A step back in time: one of our early VMI dredges cutting through overgrown waterways. No frills, just hard work and horsepower.

#VMIDredges #DredgeManufacturer #ThisIsHowYouDredge

#ThrowbackThursday Where waterways needed clearing… this dredge showed up.

     #ThrowbackThursday

Where waterways needed clearing… this dredge showed up.

No hype. No shortcuts. Just raw power in motion.

The kind of machine that laid the groundwork for everything that came after.

#ThisIsHowYouDredge #ThrowbackThursday #VMIDredges #DredgeManufacturer

#ThrowbackThursday

   #ThrowbackThursday  Throwing it back to this dredger: proof the mission hasn’t changed.

#VMIDredges #ThisIsHowYouDredge #DredgeManufacturer 

#ThrowBackThursday Proof that VMI Dredges has always been about building tough dredges for tougher jobs.

   #ThrowBackThursday  Proof that VMI Dredges has always been about building tough dredges for tougher jobs. #ThisIsHowYouDredge #ThrowbackThursday #VMIDredges

#ThrowbackThursday When tough machines met even tougher terrain.

   #ThrowbackThursday  When tough machines met even tougher terrain. Decades may have passed, but the mission remains the same: moving material, shaping waterways, and getting the job done.  #ThisIsHowYouDredge #WeMakeRevenueFlow #VMIDredges

Throwback Thursday: Looking back at one of our earlier dredges in the field.

   Throwback Thursday: Looking back at one of our earlier dredges in the field. VMI has been powering progress for decades, and this photo is a reminder of the durability and innovation that continue to drive us forward.

#ThrowBackThursday #ThisIsHowYouDredge #VMIDredges

Throwin’ it back to when the early days of dredging looked like this.

   🚨 #ThrowbackThursday 🚨

Throwin’ it back to when the early days of dredging looked like this. The machines may have evolved, but the mission stayed the same.  Built tough, engineered for results, and made to move mountains (of sediment).

#ThisIsHowYouDredge #VMILegacy #VMIDredges #DredgingEquipment

Throwback Thursday to the early days of making waves

   Throwback Thursday to the early days of making waves 🚤💪 This classic horizontal dredge put in the work, keeping waterways flowing and projects moving. Proof that strong engineering never goes out of style. #ThrowbackThursday #DredgingHistory #ThisIsHowYouDredge #VMIDredges

Way Back When, Sunday, January 23, 1994, Cushing Daily Citizen: Everything Looks Real Good At VMI Operation

 Everything Looks Real Good At VMI Operation

By Terry Hoggatt, Managing Editor
Cushing Daily Citizen
Sunday, January 23, 1994

Gene Maitlen, who heads the operation of VMI here, says in a few months he's going to "walk up to Bill Cubbage and say, "I've fulfilled my contract."

When VMI worked with the Cushing Chamber of Commerce and other entities here prior to making the decision to locate in Cushing, one of the stipulations in the "package" Maitlen agreed to is that the industry would stay a minimum of five years.

"We're getting close to that fifth year," Maitlen said.  "One of the persons we were working with was Bill Cubbage.  I'm going to tell him to give me a piece of paper that says 'Paid in Full.'  I think that stipulation is a good idea, by the way.  I think it's a good idea to make sure you get something back."

The company's best year was 1990.  "Then the economy turned sour," Maitlen said.  He added, "Now things are turning around.  I'm sure this year will be our best ever.  In fact, I'm sure of it.  Everything looks real good."

VMI primarily manufactures environmental-related equipment.  Dredges are turned out in the factory in the northeast industrial park (near the Fleetwood building).  The company also utilizes a "Sludgifier" that is gaining plenty of customers.  the equipment is particularly effective for heavily-polluted streams, even if hazardous material is involved.

"What you do," Maitlen says, "is put the apparatus on an excavator boom and mount an engine to power it.  You can reach into the area and literally encase the waste.  By the time you get clear around it, it sets up like concrete.

"After you enclose the area, you can plant flowers on it."

The Cushing facility, Maitlen says, is "busy all year"  We've held our own and now we're looking at hiring more personnel."  VMI employs 12 persons at this time, but Maitlen said, "Last year we were building for stock.  Now we're getting orders for more projects."

A VMI MINI-DREDGE on the grounds outside the massive building in Cushing's northeast industrial park on Maitlen Drive

Annual payroll at VMI, including commissions, is approximately $200,000.  All of VMI's products are constructed here ("unless," Maitlen said, "we use an existing piece of equipment and customize it to a certain need") in the machine shop in the huge building.  A parts department allows VMI to ship parts overnight to customers anywhere in the U.S.  "It takes a little linger to get parts to a foreign country," Maitlen said.

Some of the requests for VMI machinery are from far away places such as Manila, Thailand ("We had to build a special machine for that," Maitlen said) and Saudi Arabia.  "We've also done business in Indonesia," said Maitlen. "The Pacific Rim is getting serious about cleaning up the environment.  We've also dealt with places in South America."

The Manila request involves a river that, a letter from officials there says, "is nearly dewatered."

"The river is full of sand, mud, pebbles and garbage, " Maitlen siad.  "We've been sending information back and forth.  It will probably be quite a project."

One piece of equipment that was manufactured at the VMI facility is headed to a Chicago contractor.  Maitlen said the firm is the largest of its kind in the world.  "We furnish nearly all their dredging equipment," he said.  "They buy and lease from us.  We have another order that's headed for a big job in Mississippi."

When VMI ships a piece of equipment, a technician goes along to train customers how to operate and maintain the machinery.  That technician is sometimes a special person.

"When we go anywhere in the free world, we send on tehnician," Maitlen said.  "When we go somewhere someone is apt to shoot you, we send another guy.  He's a former Green Beret and he handles those countries.  Sometimes he's gotten off an airplane and seen guns pointed at him.  He likes that."

Maitlen is proud of all his employees and he has a favorite statement:  "When someone wants something, we will build it.  We've go the best personnel, bar none, right here in Cushing."

One customer needed a special, two person cab on a certain piece of equipment.  "Steve Cantrall (a VMI employee) studied the request, made a design, and we built it," said Maitlen.

A VMI customer wanted a special two person cab for a piece of equipment.  Steve Cantrell "studied the request, designed it and we built it," said VMI head man Gene Maitlen, who proudly adds, "If someone wants something, we will build it."

VMI is home to the "nation's largest and oldest mini-dredge company.  It's still owned by its original owners," the personable Maitlen says with pride.

The building is also "home" to the largest rental-fleet of dredges in the United States.  Mini-Dredge Leasing, Inc. is owned and operated by Gene's sons, Randy and Tony.

"We have a lot of customers who have a short term need for our equipment," Maitlen said.  "Maybe just 60 days or so.  So, Randy and Tondy formed Mini-Dredge Leasing and their business is doing well.  They have their offices right here in the building." He smiled and added, "We sell dredges to them.  They're good customers."

"And," Maitlen continued, "Randy and Tony are good workers.  They get just as dirty and greasy as anyone."

Maitlen, who advertises his company in a world-wide publication and other trade magazines ("we've got letters and faxes from all over the world," he said), started in the equipment business in Cushing in 1949 in building located on East Main (current location Williams Monument).  "I've got over 34 years experience in that type of work," he said.

Gene Maitlen, head of the VMI world-wide operation

He left Cushing and for a time was in a location near Oklahoma City.

Why choose Cushing?

"Because of the Cushing Chamber of Commerce and Industry," he said.

"Where I come from, the chamber there didn't even know we existed.  They never visited.  There was a vo-tech school nearby and it wasn't even interested in us.

"The Cushing Chamber bent over backwards to help us and to welcome us.  Central Vo-Tech (in Drumright) has been very helpful.  Our chamber continues to keep in touch with us.

"And, of course, I always wanted to come back to Cushing and live at the old home place (Northeast of Cushing).  Randy married a Cushing girl and everything pointed to Cushing.

"My wife and I live on the home place now and we're very happy.  It was the wisest decision I've very made."

VMI at this time has "plenty" of room to fulfill current orders.  But, Maitlen Said, "We built this facility so we can expand.  We could easily wind up triple the size we are now.  And I think we will in the future.

A dredge begins taking shape inside the VMI machine shop.  The building also houses offices, a break room, conference room, and a parts department that allows the company to shop parts anywhere in the world.

"I have very high hopes."

Industry Spotlight is a monthly venture involving the Daily Citizen and the Cushing Chamber of Commerce Existing Industries Committee.

Way Back When Article, Cushing Daily Citizen, Tuesday, June 6, 2000 - VMI Eyes Joint Venture with Chinese Company

 VMI Eyes Joint Venture with Chinese Company

By Karen Geyer, CDC Staff Writer
Cushing Daily Citizen
Tuesday, June 6, 2000

A distinguished group of executives from China and New York City visited Cushing’s VMI, Inc. last week.  They are looking to enter into a joint venture with the U.S. companies to establish industry in a tax free zone called Putong.

Frank T.H. Yuan is President of USA-China Entrepreneur Associates, Inc. and is president or general manager of three other companies, having to do with international marketing.  “We have the potential for great opportunities and joint ventures that will benefit both countries,” he said.

Wang Li Yong is the General Manager of the Shanghai Huzhou Shipping Engineering Company.  He has his Assistant Manager and Accountant Han Xiu Ping with him, as well as Hu Lai You, his Sales Manager.  Although language was a barrier, Henry Chen, a broker from New York City served as an excellent interpreter.  Wu Yu Xiang, Hudong Heavy Machinery Co, Ltd, Director of Assembly also from Shanghai, completed the group, except for another member of their party who was not feeling well, Shen Ji Qing.

VMI, Inc. is a family business that manufactures dredges.  Dredges are large boat-like machines used in cleaning out rivers and deltas.  VMI, Inc. is led by President Randy Maitlen, Vice President Tony Maitlen, and Chairman of the Board Gene Maitlen.  It began in Oklahoma City in 1972 and moved to Cushing in 1989.

“My sons and I came up with the design.  We’ve sold to countries around the world.  Just to name a few, Pakistan, Africa, Philippines, South American, Canada and Mexico.  We rent a lot of equipment, too, especially to places like Louisiana.” Gene Maitlen said.

“China is trying to work through the World Trade Organization to take advantage of their help so that projects like these will run more smoothly.”  Wang sand.  Yuan added, “It gives us a mutual understanding to further incorporate other dredging projects.”

Wang’s company, Shanghai Hushou Shipping Engineering Company, is the second largest shipping company in China.

It has been in operation for 70 years.  Through the interpreter he said they have equipment for tunneling through mountains that can move 100,000 tons of earth.

They export to Greece, Italy, Chili, Australia and other countries.

“Their machines are mammoths, but they need something smaller for the area in which they are now working.  That’s where we come in,” Gene Maitlen said.

“We want to purchase the products made by VMI because there is a growing demand for it.  We are importing the machines to clean up flooding rivers.  We hope this project will help improve levels of the environment-irrigation, and agriculture will be encouraged,” Wang said.

“We have talked to this group for a very long time, before arrangements could be made for them to actually come here and meet with us.  We took them out to eat to Freddies Steak House, and brought in Josh and Christine Williamson and Brandon Gibbs to perform Native American dance for them.

There was a photo session beneath a banner the group from China brought with them.

Henry Chen, Interpreter, poses with Hu Lai You, Wu Yu Xiang, Tony Maitlen, Randy Maitlen, Frank T.H. Yuan, Kelly Berger, Gene Maitlen, Han Xiu Ping, and Wang Li Young under the banner the group brought with them.  Wang is the General Manager of Huzhou Shipping and Engineering Company, the second largest in China.

“This group seems to have great respect for American technology,” Tony Maitlen said.

“This province is already established and seems to be working.  I’m told there are 11 provinces along the coast of China just across the water from Hong Kong.  Some of the companies already there are G.E., Cummings, General Motors and McDonald’s.

The cost of labor is less than half what it is here,” he said.

Way Back When Article November 16, 1989 - VMI is "Going Great" Here

  

 VMI is "going great" here

By Joe Shimko, Cushing Daily Citizen
Thursday, November 16, 1989

With the ever growing awareness of the environment both nationally and internationally, firms dealing with that issue are benefitting.  VMI, on of the newest firms in Cushing, has felt the increased concern about the cleaning up of the environment.

"We're going great," said VMI owner Gene Maitlen.

He indicated the cirm, which builds dredges, has "more orders now since we moved here."  That doesn't necessarily relate directly to their presence here, but factors such as numerous "clean water acts" being enforced in the United States and overseas have meant more activity such as the cleaning up of waterways.

This has meant more work than ever before for the 15 employees at the firm's site at 1125 N. Fleetwood.  If the steady stream of work continues, Maitlen expects to see more employees hired, to possibly 20 in the future.

VMI, which had its plans for coming to Cushing announced in 1988, saw construction on its two buildings started in April of last year.  By August, the company was ready to start with production commencing in October.

Recently Maitlen and others in the company were pleased when the first dredge, built entirely in Cushing, was sold to the City of Harrisonville, Kansas.

The dredge, which was viewed and climbed by citizens who attended an open house-ribbon cutting for VMI Tuesday, is the MDE415-HS.  The efficiency of both the company and president of the firm are symbolized by the newest piece of equipment.

GENE MAITLEN (fourth from left) and his wife Peggy cut the ribbon at the Open House held at VMI while they and other local chamber officials stand on top of the first ever dredge built at the new company. (Staff Photo)

Recalling an Andy Rooney television commentary on the many items that are given names or identities without any significance, Maitlen outlined what each letter and number means.

"The 'M' stands for mini-dredge and the 'E' for the economy," said the owner.

The numbers also have meaning to VMI and its potential customers.

"The 'f' stands for a four-inch pump that can go 15 feet deep which the '15' stands for," he added.

the 'H' and the 'S' are also significant standing for hydro solids.