A Knock at the Door—and a Turning Point
In the early 1990s, VMAC’s founder, Tony Menard, stood at the edge of a decision that would’ve quietly ended the company’s journey before it truly began. With orders drying up and the economy slumping, he was preparing to shut down the fledgling compressor business. But a chance visit from a local salesperson changed the course of VMAC’s future. The visitor had seen something in VMAC’s products – and in Menard – and flatly refused to leave the building until Tony reconsidered. Days later, a call from a major service-truck manufacturer sealed the deal: they wanted VMAC to design a critical component.
That single order became a foothold. It marked the kind of inflection point that has defined VMAC’s story ever since.
A Global Business with Island Roots
Today, VMAC (Vehicle Mounted Air Compressors) employs nearly 200 professionals at its South Nanaimo headquarters. VMAC has grown into one of North America’s only fully vertically integrated mobile air compressor manufacturers, handling everything from design and prototyping to in-house production. But even with customers as far afield as South Africa, Japan, and Australia, its sense of place remains distinctly local.
“I’ve lived in Nanaimo and worked at VMAC since moving back to my hometown in 2001 to raise my children,” says Mike Pettigrew, the company’s longtime marketing manager. “Nearly 25 years later, my kids are grown, and so is the city. Nanaimo has become a vibrant, inclusive community that offers everything families are looking for.”
Investing in the Future, At Home
With demand surging for its next-generation systems, VMAC is in the midst of an ambitious expansion. The company has been focused on innovative products that include the e30 battery-electric compressor developed with Stealth Power, the G90 gas-powered air compressor, and a brand new gas-powered 6-in-1 multifunction power system. These products will be publicly released at the Utility Expo that will be held in Louisville, Kentucky, in October.
The company has broken ground on a new production building and reconfigured its existing space to meet rising demand. Investments in smart automation and new rotor production machinery will boost capacity while opening the door to hiring more skilled trades over the next two years.
Making Growth Possible
Ambition alone doesn’t scale a manufacturing business. It takes infrastructure, zoning, and committed public-sector partners. For VMAC, the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has been a key partner in removing barriers and enabling growth.
When VMAC set its sights on expansion, it required land use changes and infrastructure support. The RDN stepped up, approving rezoning and clearing the path for development. That kind of responsiveness made it possible for VMAC to grow without leaving the region.
Engineering in a Changing World
VMAC pioneered the first vehicle-mounted rotary screw air compressor and continues to lead the market with compact, high-performance systems that reduce weight, optimize uptime, and cut lifecycle costs. VMAC has developed electric air brake compressors for zero-emission transit buses in partnership with a leading multinational bus manufacturer, part of a growing push to support hybrid and electric commercial vehicles. New products like the electric e30 compressor and gas-powered 6-in-1 multifunction power system reflect growing demand for sustainable and diversified service vehicles.
From electrical engineers to CNC machinists, this vertical integration allows VMAC to move quickly from concept to production and to maintain tight control over quality, timelines, and innovation cycles.
What It Takes to Scale—and Stay—in Nanaimo
VMAC’s trajectory – from near-closure to global exporter – isn’t just a story of a good product or a lucky break. It’s a story of perseverance, timely support, and the quiet advantages of doing business in a place that values both innovation and loyalty.
Nanaimo offers more than lifestyle appeal—it provides competitive operating costs, skilled trades talent, and responsive municipal support. Recent provincial and federal grants, combined with City-backed industrial rezoning of 20 adjacent acres, have positioned VMAC to grow without relocating.
In a region known for its natural beauty and lifestyle appeal, VMAC is proof that you don’t have to choose between quality of life and global ambition. You can build something world-class without leaving the Island.■
