History

Vecoplan was founded in 1969 in Bad Marienberg, Germany as a manufacturer of high quality wood chippers used in the forest products industry for production of chips used in the paper and board industries. Ms. Irene Scheidweiler was one of the founding members and today serves as a Managing Director.

In the early 1980s, Vecoplan turned its focus to the recycling of various materials and in 1982-83, the single-shaft rotary grinder was invented by Wolfgang Lipowski, now Vecoplan’s Technical Director. The first slow speed single-shaft rotary grinder the world ever saw was introduced in 1984 by Vecoplan. It was the model VAZ 145/135N.

In 1989, a European patent was awarded to Vecoplan for its unique “U-rotor®”. Still today, this rotor design continues to be the most advanced cutting geometry for the universal size reduction and shredding of the whole spectrum of waste materials. This patent is on file for those who are interested.

In 1995, Vecoplan was integrated into the well-established M.A.X. Holding AG in Munich. Now based in Düsseldorf and operating under the name M.A.X. Automation AG, it is comprised of several strategic companies, most of who are involved in automation and environmental products, and each recognized as successful and innovative. In 1997, Vecoplan received its DIN/ISO 9001 certification. This is the highest standard set for quality systems and confirms its dedication to innovative product development, design engineering, high quality manufacturing and quality control standards. Ensuring first rate customer service has been, and remains, a top priority. ReTech Industries, Inc. was formed in 1996 as a US manufacturer and distributor of specialized, high quality size reduction equipment. It became a leading company in single-shaft rotary shredders and grinders and quickly established a sterling reputation as an applications expert and solutions company. Vecoplan had been operating in the North American markets through distributors since 1989. On October 1st, 2000, Vecoplan and ReTech merged their respective North American operations into a powerful partially owned subsidiary of Vecoplan Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KG, now called Vecoplan, LLC. The ReTech name lived on as the trade name for the single-shaft line of shredders and grinders, and the founders of ReTech, Len Beusse (Vecoplan, LLC Chief Operating Officer) and Marty Kennedy (Vecoplan, LLC Executive Vice President) became partners with Joerg Mueller (Vecoplan, LLC President) and Vecoplan in the American venture. Beusse and Kennedy went on to run the American operations.