Vétra

Vétra (or Vetra), or more formally the Société des Véhicules et Tracteurs Electriques, was a French manufacturer of trolleybuses and electric locomotives. Founded in 1925, it became one of Western Europe's largest builders of trolleybuses during the middle decades of the 20th century, making in excess of 1,750 vehicles, for cities in France and in several other countries. The company ceased production in 1964.

History

Vétra was founded in 1925 and was based in Paris. After initially experimenting with production of accumulator railcars, the company made its first trolleybus in 1927. The first Vétra trolleybuses were two vehicles, model MV, supplied to the Aubagne–Cuges trolleybus system, which was located just east of Marseille and began operation on 22 September 1927. In the decades that followed, Vétra had a near-monopoly on French trolleybus production. Trolleybus systems operating in France also bought their fleets nearly exclusively from Vétra. From the 1930s through the 1950s, the "overwhelming majority" of trolleybuses in use on French systems were built by Vétra. On a smaller scale, the company also sold trolleybuses to systems located in other countries.

Vétra (workwear)

Vétra is a French company founded in 1927 in Paris, manufacturing authentic workwear, and casual wear designed in a workwear fashion.

History

The Vétra company was born in Paris in 1927 (1), on Saint-Louis Island, at 3 rue de Bretonvilliers (IVème)(2). His founder, Edouard Beerens, was handed over from his mother, as her wedding present, her workshop of professional aprons & overalls, which will constitute the springboard of Vétra venture. Vétra used to get specialized in its early years in men's workwear. E. Beerens chose as his first motto : " Vétra ever lasts " and design the logotype : red letters upon a black factory, in order to entice workers, who, at these times, were compelled to buy themselves their own workwear garments (3). In the 30's, the company moved to Northern France. In 1939, Vétra was requisitionned to manufacture uniforms for the French Army.

On Sunday, 19 May 1940, the nazis' invasion had E. Beerens scuttle his factory so as not to leave French uniforms to German Fifth Columns. Despite he was wanted by the Gestapo, he managed to reset up his business from scratch at Le Lude (Sarthe).

Gundars Vētra

Gundars Vētra (born May 22, 1967) is a Latvian former professional basketball player and a current coach. He most recently served as a head coach of Spartak St. Petersburg.

Standing at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), he played at the shooting guard and small forward positions. He was the first Latvian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA).He played one season for the Minnesota Timberwolves from 1992–1993.

Coaching career

After finishing his playing career, Vētra became a coach. He first started as head coach of Barons, leading them to their first ever LBL finals appearance in 2005. For the 2005-06 season he was an assistant to Sharon Drucker with Ural Great. Following a season in Russia, Vētra returned to Latvia, where he re-united with Barons. His second stint with Barons wasn't as good as expected, and Vētra left them to try his hand in women's basketball. After four seasons in Russia he went back to Latvia, joining BK Ventspils, where his team made the Latvian League finals.