Vitamix 公司历史

A Letter from our President & CEO

Jodi Berg, Ph.D

When I was asked to become the president of Vitamix in 2009, the company was already recognized as the market leader in blending technology. I realized that I was not just accepting a new position, but agreeing to steward a legacy. It is incredibly humbling to know that the successes we experience today have been made possible by the foundational leadership, passion, and commitment of the generations before us.

I wish I could give you a personal tour through the halls of our company, show you the family photos that hang here, and let you touch the logs of the home and office that my grandfather built by hand in the 1940s while keeping his business afloat, supporting the war effort, and raising a family. Some of my fondest memories took place inside these walls, including family reunions and listening in fascination as my grandfather would talk to customers on the phone, helping them knead bread dough in their Vitamix machines, which was very popular at that time.

Our customers are still the center of our world. As the fourth-generation president and CEO of Vitamix, our history is very personal to me, as it is for the hundreds of employees who design, perfect, and build our world-class blending equipment. Join me as we walk through this almost century-long, true American success story.

我们的故事开始于 1921 年，那时我的曾祖父正面临着富有挑战的经济时代，这很快导致大萧条。被大家亲切称为 "Papa" 的 William Grover Barnard 开始在全国各地销售现代厨房产品。正是在帮助一个朋友治疗疾病的过程中，他开始发现天然食品营养与卫生和健康直接的联系。"Papa" 将企业的名字改为 The Natural Food Institute，并成为保健食品行业的先驱，研究和教导人们他所知道的关于食物和健康的一切东西。在 1937 年，"Papa" 推出了一款新产品：料理机。他随即看到了料理机的商机，可以迅速和简便地准备健康可口的食物。他将精力全部花在销售这款新产品上，我的另一位曾祖父将其命名为 “Vita-Mix”，因为 vita 表示生活。

Papa Barnard

1949 年，我的祖父 Bill Barnard 说服 "Papa" 以最新形式的电视广告进行他的现场演示。"Papa" 克服了他的疑虑：电视受家庭欢迎。他将作为国家的第一个广告创造者而载入史册。几年后，也就是 1955 年，爷爷继承了公司的业务。1964 年，当他的儿子 Grover 进入公司后便正式将公司名字改为 Vita-Mix Corporation。

Knowing the benefits of whole foods, Grandpa was determined to make healthy food preparation even easier and more delicious. The Vitamix became more powerful and versatile, setting it apart from any other product on the market. In 1969, he introduced the Vitamix 3600, the first blender that could make hot soup, blend ice cream, grind grain, and knead bread dough. My grandmother created hundreds of recipes for healthy alternatives to the foods we loved.

Thirty years later, my father, John Barnard, and his brother used their engineering backgrounds to make significant improvements to the performance and durability of the Vitamix product line—further developing the technology that allows families to pass their cherished Vitamix machines from one generation to another. In 1985, they developed the first Vitamix commercial blender, the Mix’n Machine. My dad’s vision then established us as the first high-performance blender in the food service industry—where our quality, performance, and value continue to set the bar. Today, a full line of commercial Vitamix machines can be found in gourmet restaurants and leading chains around the world.

Some of the lessons we learned along the way are still with us today. We continue to persevere to create the highest- quality product through customer input and advanced technology. We are steadfast in creating a better future through family values and healthy, delicious food. And we are committed to liberating and nourishing the zest for life.

What Papa Barnard realized decades ago is now common knowledge: The world can be a healthier and better place through whole-food nutrition. It is not just our torch, it is a passion held by many. Please join us in changing the way the world thinks about food, quality products, and customer service. We can make a bigger difference together. You, too, can be a part of our story.

为了您的健康和活力，

Jodi Berg
President & CEO