The Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) announced the 2016 inductees into the AEM Hall of Fame, which recognizes and celebrates outstanding individuals in the off-road equipment industry, and their legacy of innovation, service and leadership.

The two distinguished inductees into the 2016 AEM Hall of Fame are Ray Hagie, founder of Hagie Manufacturing LLC, and Robert L. Vermeer, chair emeritus of Vermeer Corp.

“AEM is proud and privileged to honor the pioneering individuals who have invented, managed, built and led the off-road equipment industry,” said AEM President Dennis Slater. “Their vision and dedication have contributed significantly to the growth and strength of our industry and economic progress and quality of life around the world; and their legacy serves as an inspiration for our leaders of tomorrow.”

AEM Hall of Fame inductees have been evaluated by an independent panel of industry experts on five criteria that are vital to the health of the off-road equipment manufacturing industry: 1) innovation, 2) industry contributions, 3) leadership, 4) corporate citizenship/social responsibility and 5) sustainability.

Honorees are publicly announced and celebrated during special ceremonies at AEM’s annual conference and take their place of honor in AEM’s Hall of Fame.

Ray Hagie (Hagie Manufacturing LLC)  

Ray Hagie never intended on bringing to market the world’s first self-propelled sprayer in 1947. He was an entrepreneur and an innovator who spent his lifetime in pursuit of solving problems and finding a better way.

In 1933, the Iowa State College graduate returned to his family farm and decided to experiment with hybrid seed corn. A drought hit, and the hybrids withstood the challenge and so did Hagie, leading to the opening of Hagie’s Hybrids seed corn plant in 1944.

As the agricultural industry experienced a labor shortage during World War II, Hagie’s entrepreneurial spirit struck again. He developed a self-propelled “personnel carrier” to help reduce the painstaking time and fatigue associated with detasseling corn. At the end of World War II, Dow released the pesticide/herbicide, known today as 2,4-D, for use in the control of broadleaf weeds. Hagie envisioned a more efficient solution to apply this product, which led to him bringing to market the world’s first self-propelled sprayer and founding of Hagie Manufacturing in 1947.

In years to follow, Hagie Manufacturing earned a reputation as an industry innovator by providing the market with new solutions for evolving farming needs. A few of Hagie Manufacturing’s industry firsts include the invention of the four-wheeled Hagie sprayer, front-mounted boom and a high-clearance nitrogen toolbar.

Committed to the community, the environment and the industry, Hagie served in numerous leadership roles throughout his career, including as an Iowa State representative and senator, chairman of the Iowa Manufacturers Assn. and on the Iowa State University Board of Governors.

Robert L. Vermeer (Vermeer Corp.)

With an intense focus on the well-being of his team, Robert “Bob” Vermeer continued the legacy of bringing innovative processes to Vermeer Corp. that were integral in expanding the business to where it is today.

Under Vermeer’s leadership, sales at the company grew nearly 13 times. He initiated a program to evaluate and coach dealers to higher levels of performance through improved customer relationships. He oversaw key advancements in finance that improved equipment availability and allowed dealers to stock inventory globally, ultimately growing business domestically and outside the U.S. Vermeer also challenged his team members to expedite processes which resulted in huge productivity improvements.

A shining example of compassion and service, he spearheaded numerous employee and community service programs including the Vermeer Chaplain Program, the Vermeer Charitable Foundation Scholarship Program and the Vermeer Spirit of Caring Award. To stay connected to the pulse of the Vermeer people, he emphasized an open-door policy expectation of his leadership. You will often find Vermeer walking the production floor with a sincere interest in every person he meets.

Active within the industry and community, Vermeer has served as chair of both the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers and the Iowa Business Council. In addition, he has been a member of, and served as an officer for, several boards, including Central College Board of Trustees, Dordt College Board, Calvin Theological Seminary Board of Trustees and the Pella Chamber of Commerce.

He started his career at Vermeer in 1974. Later, he assumed CEO responsibilities, and served as chairman of the Vermeer Board of Directors beginning in 1989. Vermeer has been involved in all aspects of the business and strategy in support of the long-term health and growth of the company, and continues to devotedly serve his team, industry and community.