Brouwer turns 40
By Kesmac Brouwer Turf
News
June 20, 2012 - Forty years ago, Gerry Brouwer revolutionized the way sod was harvested around the world. This year, the Brouwer Company celebrates its 40th anniversary. Brouwer’s vision changed the industry from cutting sod with a Ryan sod cutter and stacking it onto pallets or trucks by hand, to a Brouwer sod harvester that cut sod, transferred it onto a conveyor, rolled it and put the rolls on a pallet all in one operation.
Brouwer’s first sod harvester was manufactured in a shop at Brouwer Sod
Farms in 1972. In 1974, Brouwer built a factory in Keswick, Ont., the same location where the equipment is manufactured today. The first
Brouwer sod harvester sold for $9,600 complete.
Over the years, Brouwer has developed additional products for the turf
industry, including the Hitch-Hiker truck-mounted forklift, Brouwer
reel mower, BV 85 turf vacuum, RM22 rotary mower, turf rollers, Rollmax
2400 24-inch big-roll sod harvester, Brouwer 1600 self-propelled sod
harvester and Rollmate sod installers. Brouwer also invented the
patented automatic big-roll system now used by Bucyrus.
The company also introduced improved models of conventional sod harvesters, including the successful automatic small-roll Robomax sod harvester, a response to the
growing trend toward automation and a cost effective, labour-saving
unit.
Brouwer products are sold by a network of dealers worldwide. These
dealers have provided world-class customer support and service over the
years. Brouwer would like to take the opportunity to express its
appreciation for all of their high quality work.
Brouwer also thanks its devoted team of employees whose dedication,
attention to detail and hard work has brought this company to where it
is today.
When asked about his company’s milestone anniversary, Gerry Brouwer
said, “It has been a great pleasure to have been part of this industry. I
couldn’t think of better people to work with and have appreciated their
business and loyalty.”
Brouwer, his son Eric, and his family are committed to meet the future
needs of sod producers worldwide while staying devoted to the quality of
service that has made Brouwer what it is today.
Related links
www.brouwerturf.com
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