Honourary Naming of 35th Ave - Vuković Way
In 2015, the Naming Committee approved the honourary road name "Vuković Way", and in 2016,
his son Bernard held an unveiling event.
Ivan Vukovic is the founder
of the Edmonton based company
NAMCO Machine and Gear Works
which is renowned within the gear
manufacturing industry across North
America. For over 30 years, NAMCO
has been a family operated business
manufacturing custom gear boxes in
house and was recognized as one of
Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies.
Ivan Vukovic emigrated from Croatia to Germany and lived there for nearly six years learning the machinist trade. In
1974, Ivan, his wife, and his daughter immigrated from Germany to Canada and settled in
Edmonton. After working in various machine shops, Ivan Vukovic founded the Northern Alberta
Machine Company, commonly known as NAMCO Machine and Gear Works, in February of
1976. NAMCO grew to accommodate the oilfield industry and in 1981 Ivan’s wife Kate joined
the company’s business operations. In 1982, the newly built NAMCO building existed at 9145-
35 Avenue but as the company continued to grow, another new facility was built across the street
in 1997 at 9168-35 Avenue. Upon purchasing more land at 9140-35 Avenue for future
expansion, the Vukovic’s owned a majority of land on 35th Avenue between 91st and 93rd Street
where their business became a North American powerhouse within the gearing industry.
Beginning as a small, locally owned machine shop, NAMCO shifted from a service-based
company to a product-based company supplying the Alberta’s mining, forestry, and oil and gas
industries. In 2005, NAMCO branched out to form ALTA Rig Systems, an affiliate company
that designs and manufactures drawworks for drilling rigs. In 2012, Ivan retired, and in February
of 2013, he stepped down as the President of the company. Ivan’s son, Bernard took over as
NAMCO’s President in 2013.
Renowned within the manufacturing industry, NACMO has been featured in the
Edmonton Journal and Gear Solutions Magazine. In 2014, NAMCO was honoured as one of
Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies in part due to its retention of staff, many of which having
worked with NAMCO for nearly twenty years. Ivan Vukovic is recognized as a leader in the
industry and an exceptional businessman who provided over 75 employees with job security
during times of economic downturn.
Ivan’s personal contributions outside of NAMCO included providing very significant
donations to the Nativity of Mary Catholic Church and serving on the board of directors, as well
as serving as a soccer coach for the Millwoods Community League and the Capital City Soccer
Club during the 1980s. He supported hockey teams in the Millwoods neighbourhood by donating
entire uniforms and supporting hockey tournaments. His most recently donation to a local charity
was to the Make-A-Wish Foundation which helped fund a child’s dream of visiting Disneyland.
Ivan contributed to an international cause when he purchased sea-crates that he filled with hand
tools and other supplies and shipped them to Rwanda, Burundi, and the Congo.
Ivan Vukovic passed away on September 17, 2015.