VMI Expansion & Increased Production Capacity
VMI Dredges Increased manufacturing space to meet demand in 2007
2007-2020
In 2007 VMI's facility was expanded to include additional manufacturing and parts storage space for increased capacity. At the end of 2019 VMI introduced a new logo to better reflect the company name and image going forward.
VMI Inc., a local company that makes dredges, is relocating to Cushing, where it hopes to expand operations, Cushing Chamber of Commerce officials said Wednesday.
Jim Mason, chamber executive director, said VMI would build a 20,000-square-foot plant on five acres donated by the Cushing Industrial Foundation, valued at $30,000. He estimated the construction project's value at between $300,000 and $350,000.
VMI, begun in 1972, employs about 12 people and has exported dredges to seven countries, Mason said.
Dredges, which cost about $330,000, are used by communities to clean out sewage lagoons and to clean up hazardous waste and spills. They are also used to clean contaminated ponds to accommodate wildlife, Mason said.VMI president Gene Maitlen grew up in the Cushing area and owns a family farm there, Mason said. His sons, Tony and Randy, are vice presidents at VMI.
"Because of the Clean Water Act passed by Congress, they expect to see tremendous expansion in this area, and will add more employees," Mason said.
1989-2007
Increased demand created the need for a new improved production facility.
By 1989 VMI had outgrown its current plant capacity and a decision was made to build a new production facility in Cushing, Oklahoma. The new production facility was specifically built for manufacturing dredges.
In 1997 Bob Vaughn’s stock was purchased by Gene Maitlen and his two sons, Tony and Randy, making VMI exclusively owned by the Maitlen name.
Dredging enhancements were soon incorporated into the VMI line of dredging equipment. 1976-1980
Bigger and better dredges were soon added to the VMI line and a network of distributors was set up. As one of the most recognized dredge manufacturers, VMI, Inc. began to sell VMI dredges worldwide and an international salesman was added to their staff.
In 1972, Gene Maitlen and Bob Vaughn got into the dredge manufacturing business in a Quonset hut near their Case Equipment dealership in Oklahoma City. Bob, Gene, and Randy Maitlen, Gene’s son, decided to become serious about building quality dredges and created Vaughn-Maitlen Industries (VMI), Inc. The VMI, Inc. plant was located in several locations during the next four years until 1976, when the production facilities finally settled in Bethany, Oklahoma. Bigger and better dredges were soon added to the VMI line and a network of distributors was set up. As one of the most recognized dredge manufacturers, VMI, Inc. began to sell VMI dredges worldwide and an international salesman was added to their staff.
By 1989 VMI had outgrown its current plant capacity and a decision was made to build a new production facility in Cushing, Oklahoma. The new production facility was specifically built for manufacturing dredges. In 1997 Bob Vaughn’s stock was purchased by Gene Maitlen and his two sons, Tony and Randy, making VMI exclusively owned by the Maitlen name. In 2007 VMI's facility was expanded to include additional manufacturing and parts storage space for increased capacity. At the end of 2019 VMI introduced a new logo to better reflect the company name and image going forward. In 2020 VMI's testing and training capabilities were enhanced to improve product innovation and better serve the needs of customers. Additional parts storage capacity was also increased to expand the availability of in stock items.
VMI is a privately owned and operated business. Cash Maitlen is a 3rd generation Maitlen within the company and proudly serves as the President of the company. Cash grew up fully immersed in the company and has experienced all aspects of the business from sweeping floors to training operators internationally around the globe. Cash has a history designing, developing, troubleshooting, and operating dredges and heavy equipment even collaborating with some of the world's top equipment manufacturers for new product developments. VMI has a proud history in the dredging industry and seeks to continue providing customers worldwide with products and services to solve their dredging and sludge handling needs.
VMI has a proud history in the dredging industry starting in 1972.
In 1972, Gene Maitlen and Bob Vaughn got into the dredge manufacturing business in a Quonset hut near their Case Equipment dealership in Oklahoma City. Bob, Gene, and Randy Maitlen, Gene’s son, decided to become serious about building quality dredges and created Vaughn-Maitlen Industries (VMI), Inc. The VMI, Inc. plant was located in several locations during the next four years until 1976, when the production facilities finally settled in Bethany, Oklahoma.
Mission Accomplished
The dredging operation at the Cushing High School Lake is complete and the "mission accomplished" said one of the individuals watching as the huge dredging equipment was loaded on a truck and taken back to the company who donated it for the project. What was the mission? To restore the lake to its original depth which will improve the fish habitat and clearity, and simply to beautify the body of water near the new Cushing High School field house.
The eight-week project came in under cost - way under cost. In fact it is the generosity of a local manufacturer that made the project possible at all. The dredging machine is one of several owned and manufactured by VMI.
Gene Maitlen, who founded the company here several years ago, was on hand to see the machine loaded. Seeing dredges loaded on trucks is common place for him. The company he now operates with his sons, has shipped their equipment all over the world. This one was being shipped just across Highway 33.
Several of these smaller machines are leased by the day or month for between $1000 to $2000 per day. The Maitlens made this one available at no cost to their community. "This was the key in getting this done," said Dale Cotham who helped pull it all together. In turn, the school provided the operator and Lionel Harris of Harris Oil provided the fuel.
"This is one of the real benefits of living in a small town," said Cotham. "People will step up to the plate to get something done." The lake is now at its original depth of 15 foot in the deepest part and an average of seven foot, overall.
The Bank of Cushing also will help see the lake is restocked with game fish. Jim Shields said the Cushing Vo-Ag class plans to make restocking a project. "None of this could have happened wit out the help of others."
Operator Kenneth Ward waved goodbye to the machine. The dredging, which made statewide news when he turned up a purse that had been missing for 30 years, had been an adventure for him. He also found old tires, hubcaps, fishing poles and lures and even a Texas license plate. "I also found some grass carp teeth," Ward said. "At least that's what people tell me they are," he said. "Pretty weird." Some of the carp along with game fish were victims of last summer's drought.
An agreement made with the City of Cushing years ago when the city gave McLaury's Pond and surrounding property to the school calls for the school to maintain the body of water for use of the public. Ward was trained to operate the dredge by Randy Maitlen. The job took about eight weeks.
https://youtube.com/shorts/3vPCUW8-D4w?feature=share Just Another Friday at VMI Dredges There’s no real slowdown button on a manufactur...
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