Van der Graaf (VDG), the world’s leading manufacturer of drum motors for all types of belt conveyor applications, including aggregates, mining, material handling and food processing, is proud to celebrate 40 years of innovation, growth, and commitment to North American manufacturing. The milestone will be marked with a special anniversary event at its cutting-edge production facility in Shelby Township, Mich.
The celebration will take place on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at 13771 Cavaliere Drive, Shelby Township, Mich. The event will offer media and guests an exclusive opportunity to go behind the scenes at VDG’s Shelby Township facility – a key hub in the company’s fully integrated and automated production process, where every component of the VDG Drum Motor – the most reliable drum motor on the market – is manufactured in-house.
“VDG has spent the last four decades pushing the boundaries of reliability and performance in motorized pulley systems,” said Alexander Kanaris, president of VDG, “and we’re proud to be manufacturing the VDG Drum Motor here in North America and especially in the great state of Michigan.”
With deep roots in Macomb County, VDG’s Shelby Township facility is a shining example of American manufacturing excellence. The company’s more than $50 million investment in advanced production technology and local talent continues to fuel job growth, innovation, and pride across the region.
Having started manufacturing in 1985 in Canada, VDG established U.S. operations in 2003 to better serve its growing American customer base with after-sales service. This eventually grew into the first service and assembly plant in Shelby Township in 2010, a full-scale manufacturing facility by 2018, and followed by the opening of a second facility in 2023.
Today, VDG is continuing its commitment to U.S. manufacturing with plans to move more manufacturing capabilities from Canada to the United States to support increased demand and reinforce its commitment to American industry.
Media attendees will receive a guided tour of the facility, including demonstrations of in-house engineering, CNC machining, automated production and precision gear cutting that make VDG an industry leader.
The event will also feature a BBQ lunch, live music, and a curated exhibition of classic American cars – iconic representations of American manufacturing heritage – many of which have been showcased at trade show events across the country and are now brought together for the first time as a tribute to VDG’s own legacy of innovation and craftsmanship in U.S. manufacturing.
This milestone celebration marks not just a company anniversary, but a tribute to local manufacturing heritage and future-forward industrial excellence.