National Equipment Register, a leading source of information about equipment theft risk, last week announced a data sharing arrangement with Vermeer Corp. to help Vermeer customers combat equipment theft.
NER operates a national database of equipment theft and ownership reports to help law enforcement identify the owners of equipment suspected to be stolen. Through the database, more than 45 million pieces of stolen equipment have been recovered. By registering all new underground utility installation, tree care, and agricultural equipment as well as providing a historical download of equipment manufactured over the past 20 years on NER's HELPtech database, Vermeer is offering an additional service to its clients. This arrangement will enhance the likelihood that law enforcement can quickly identify the true owner of a Vermeer machine 24 hours a day, NER said. HELPtech registration decals further mitigate risk through deterring theft.
"We believe that this relationship is one more way to serve our Vermeer customers better," said Lois Slings, product liability risk manager at Vermeer.
"By providing new point-of-sale data and the historical download of equipment sold, Vermeeer has taken a proactive step to help its clients protect their assets," added Ryan Shepherd, operations manager at NER. "Because of this step, it just became a riskier proposition for criminals to steal or try to sell stolen Vermeer equipment in the used market."
A division of the Verisk Crime Analytics unit at Verisk Analytics NER helps equipment owners manage equipment risks. For more information, visit the NER website at www.NER.net.
Vermeer Corp., Pella, Iowa, manufactures a full line of tub and horizontal grinders, brush chippers, stump cutters and tree spades, as well as horizontal directional drilling systems, mini skid steers, utility and track trenchers and agricultural products.
