VMAC team members introduced attendees to their manufacturing process
NANAIMO – VMAC’s next step into the future was announced June 27 as the company unveiled its new High-Voltage Electric Vehicle (HVEV) air brake unit.
Their new electric air brake compressor system for heavy-duty commercial electric and zero-emission vehicles is the latest development at the 38-year-old company, which started in a small south Harewood warehouse with the original Vehicle Mounted Air Compressor (VMAC) that has captured markets throughout the world.
“VMAC’s new venture is helping the world transition to a zero-emission future with commercial electric vehicle air brake compressors for electric and zero-emission commercial vehicles, including school buses, city buses, and semi-trucks,” says VMAC President Tod Gilbert.
Local dignitaries attended the launch celebration which included a tour of VMAC’s 44,000 square foot manufacturing facility on Kipp Road. Over $3.1 million in funding has been contributed through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan) and its Business Scale-up and Productivity Program.
VMAC uses the latest technology to build its products, which are sold world-wide
VMAC’s HVEV business has also received funding and support from the National Research Council of Canada’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), the B.C. Manufacturing Jobs Fund, and the Canada Trade Commission’s CanExport SMEs. Representatives from each organization spoke at VMAC’s event.
“VMAC is grateful for the local, provincial, and federal support that allows us to expand into new markets, grow exports, create new manufacturing jobs, invest in innovative technology and equipment, and enhance processes to develop B.C.-manufactured clean technology for heavy-duty electric vehicles,” Gilbert adds.
VMAC works with Tier 1 transit, school bus, and class 8 OEM partners, and embraces lean manufacturing and maintain ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certifications.
A multi award-winning organization, VMAC has been named one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, Best Workplaces™ in Canada, and is Great Place To Work Certified™. Last year, VMAC captured two awards at the BC Export Awards in Vancouver in February: The highest honour for BC Exporter of the Year, and for the top honour in the Manufactured Products category.
Their mobile air compressors and multi-power systems have earned a reputation for their design, build quality, durability, and reliability in extreme conditions among operators and fleet managers throughout the world.
VMAC offers six different product lines, including diesel, gas, and hydraulic driven air compressors, UNDERHOOD™ air compressors, transmission-mounted air compressors and multifunction power systems.
VMAC crafts its own rotors and parts using an in-house foundry, CNC machines, and other specialized equipment. Investing in machinery and technology allows VMAC to reduce time-to-market for parts and products while maintaining quality. VMAC uses a cross-disciplinary approach to innovation and invention, as co-workers collaborate across departments, sharing ideas, and solving challenges.
VMAC believes ideas are better when there are diverse perspectives, experiences, and talents to draw from.
Components are assembled on-site into complete VMAC-branded and white-labeled air compressors and multi-power systems. Every complete system is tested, then packaged and shipped around the world to a network of over 300 global partners.
Business Examiner Staff