2020 Massachusetts Manufacturing Awards 53
J
ohn van der Wal emigrated
from the Netherlands as
a tool and die maker to
Massachusetts, initially working
for local manufacturer Waters
(Millipore) Corporation. When the
opportunity arose to provide local
businesses with quality machined
parts, he opened his operation with a
single lathe and Bridgeport in a small
garage in 1972.
Van-Wal Machine continues to
be a leader in the Massachusetts
machining industry. From the
early adoption of some of the first
computer numerically controlled
(CNC) machinery available in the
1970s, through nearly 50 years
of service, Van-Wal Machine has
consistently invested in the most
state of the art CNC equipment
available.
Van-Wal Machine provides
its product to a wide range of
industries including the medical,
pharmaceutical, biotechnology,
automotive, military, air & water
quality instrumentation, commercial,
and recreational industries. Our
parts are used to produce a variety
of products, such as military and
commercial radar antennae, carbon
monoxide detectors, and safety
mechanisms allowing military service
personnel to exit aircraft in the event
of an emergency. They are used
in weapons systems to protect the
country, have traveled on the space
shuttle, and are circling the Earth
in satellites. They are used in many
medical devices including ventilators
which were in heavy demand at the
onset of the COVID-19 crisis. The
company looks forward to continuing
their relationship with their
wonderful customers and employees
but also with the town of Bellingham
and the state of Massachusetts.
Van-Wal Machine
City/Town: Bellingham
Total Employees: 18
Year Company Founded: 1972
Company Website:
www.vanwalmachine.com
Nominated by:
Representative Michael J. Soter
M A S S A C H U S E T T S
Manufacturing Awards 20 20
Pictured: Alex Van Der Wal (Son
of Eric 3rd generation at Van-Wal
Machine), Eric Van Der Wal (Son
and Vice President of Van-Wal
Machine); Rep. Soter; Johann Van
Der Wal (Son and now President of
Van-Wal Machine) Johannes Van
Der Wal (Father of Johann & Eric -
Founder of Van-Wal Machine)
