How We Helped: Stories from Our Customers

Ultimation has an entire warehouse of great suggestions for solving material handling problems. But our customers are just as creative. They’ve found some great new uses for our in stock, quick-ship products. Here are some recent examples:

Home gym solution is a knockout

Enclosed Conveyor Track Gym Solution

One clever customer used Ultimation’s six-foot-long Unibilt Enclosed Conveyor Track and beam trolley to create a customized, durable set-up for a punching bag in a home gym. The trolley moves the bag out of the way when not in use.

The customer writes: “A ‘specialized’ punching bag rail ran about $400. This was about $100 for everything and way stronger too.”

Others who are contemplating this application should be aware that track systems are always bolted or welded to appropriately sized steel support structures. Also, the trolley does not have any brakes so a stop of some sort will need to be added to the track to keep the bag in place.

Boat engines a-hoist!

The same industrial grade overhead conveyor beam trolley used in assembly plants came in handy for a customer who needed to remove the engine from a boat during the repair process. The trolley has a 1,500-pound capacity when used with an existing 4″, 5”, or 6” tall industrial grade I-beam.

Another customer who ordered the same product writes: “I was not expecting the track to be this heavy duty.”

Wood it work? Yes.

An avid woodworker was looking for an outfeed extension for a table saw. The answer? Ultimation’s heavy duty 15” roller with bracket.

“Mounted it on a small stand that clamps to a work-bench and butts up against the body of the saw under the fence rail above the motor and belt,” writes the customer. “Roller is wide, heavy, moves easily.”

This solution has a 250-pound capacity and is less than $20.

For more solutions, visit Ultimation’s online store.

Ultimation Industries Opens New Fulfillment Center

In early 2016, Ultimation Industries launched a range of “quick ship” products for sale through their own online store as well as on Amazon. The venture was such a success that the company recently opened a new fulfillment center in Sterling Heights, Michigan to handle the growth. E-commerce currently makes up nearly 50% of the Ultimation’s business.

Ultimation Facility Roseville Michigan

The expansion allows Ultimation to offer a greater range of products, according to Fulfillment Center Manager Kali Crescent.

The new facility also provides additional space for fulfillment operations, including warehousing, shipping and assembly, as well as additional staff.

The Sterling Heights facility is only a few miles from the company’s flagship operation in Roseville, Michigan. Ultimation is a long-time Macomb County business, operating in Roseville for more than 30 years. The company added floor space and a building extension in 2000 and relocated to a larger facility in 2015. Additional space was acquired in 2019.

Ultimation was recognized in 2020 and 2022 as one of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies in America. Ultimation was also named a 2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Is Your Warehouse Ready for the Holidays? Five Quick-Ship Material Handling Solutions Under $5K from Ultimation Industries

Options range from flexible, temporary solutions to easy-to-install systems for increased capacity

 

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (Oct. 12, 2022) – Warehouse and distribution centers preparing for the predicted 12-14% growth in e-commerce sales this holiday season have a number of low-cost, flexible conveyor options to ease the material handling burden, according to Ultimation Industries. Ultimation is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer serving the automotive, food processing, vertical farming, heavy equipment, warehousing, fulfillment and delivery industries.

 

“Expanding the material handling capacity of a warehouse or distribution center to meet seasonal demand doesn’t have to be a difficult, time-consuming or costly experience,” said Richard Canny, president of Ultimation. “Durable options ranging from a few hundred dollars to $5,000 can be ordered now and be up and running as peak package season begins.”

Below are examples of easy-to-implement conveyor solutions and their approximate costs (*not including tax or shipping):

Galvanized flow rail paired skatewheels

  • Galvanized flow rails. Turn virtually any surface into a rolling/gliding surface for light to heavy loads by building your own flow rack conveyor system. Available in 5- and 10-foot sections, this type of system uses rollers set on 6-inch centers on each side to smoothly convey pallets, cartons or other containers. These rails can also be used on pick-up truck and trailer beds. (Approximate cost: $30-150* per rail, depending on rail material, length, skate wheel type)

Flexible Expandable Conveyor Skate Wheels

  • Expandable skate wheel conveyors. As the name suggests, these conveyors expand from 3 to 12 feet long. Skate wheels in plastic or metal allow materials to roll along the top of the conveyor. Their ability to expand and contract creates a simple solution for moving products more efficiently and with little effort. They are commonly used at the end of another extendable conveyor system to connect to a truck or van, or shipping docks. Expandable skate wheel conveyors can be set up and moved by one person. (Approximate cost: <$800* depending on length)

Gravity Conveyor Holiday Solution

  • Gravity roller with stand. – A gravity roller conveyor uses the force of gravity to move a load on rollers across the upper surface. They are one of the simplest and most affordable types of material handling systems. They are great for warehouses, production facilities, or distribution centers. Because they are light, gravity roller conveyors can be used in either temporary or permanent situations. Roller curve units are available for maneuvering corners. (Approximate cost: $70-300* depending on length/size, stand, rollers and other variables)

MDR Conveyor Holiday Ultimation

  • Motor-Driven Roller (MDR) conveyor system. Modern powered roller conveyor systems use motorized rollers mounted within the conveyor frames to move packages, tote bins, pallets, tires and other items. They’re compact in size, quiet and safe with 24-volt DC power. Motorized roller conveyors are a great choice for energy efficiency, low noise and easy maintenance. Warehouses and distribution centers rely on these conveyors for fast, smooth package movement. Powered roller conveyors using MDR rollers not only move the product from location ‘A’ to location ‘B,’ they also provide buffering or accumulation of product. Sensors and controls ensure packages don’t get damaged by crushing against each other. Straight sections of MDR conveyor from Ultimation can be ordered in ready-to-run modules. (Approximate cost: Varies by configuration, but many available for <$2,000*)

Jervis Webb 10711 Trolley Holiday

  • Beam trolleys. Simple to plan, install and use on existing I-beams, these trolleys are an easy, affordable way to move products from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. Because of this versatility, uses range from home workshops to assembly plant applications. Beam trolleys are available from 250- to 4,000-pound capacity. (Approximate cost: $51-500*, depending on capacity)

 

“While these are great options for the upcoming holiday season, they are also good alternatives throughout the year as companies experience growth or want to improve efficiencies,” said Canny.

He added that Ultimation also offers replacement parts including a range of motors, motor controllers, belts and ready-to-run conveyors through their online store to keep conveyor systems rolling during the busy holiday season.

Ultimation CEO Jackie Canny Joins Inc. Magazine in Evaluating Young Entrepreneur Business Pitches

For a handful of high school students, the 2022 summer break was an opportunity to learn about entrepreneurship from some of the country’s top business leaders, including Jackie Canny, CEO of Ultimation.

Jackie joined a panel of Inc. 5000 award-winners to evaluate student business pitches in a Young Entrepreneurs program hosted by Inc. Magazine and Summer Discovery. The unique experience for high school students included a customized curriculum from the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE). Participants created an original business idea, wrote a business plan and pitched their ideas to veteran entrepreneurs and potential investors.

Student Pitch Contest Inc. 5000

“Tomorrow’s technologies and innovations will come from students who have an entrepreneurial spark today,” said Jackie. “Events such as this can go a long way in inspiring young people to pursue their ambitions and make a positive impact as future business leaders.”

The Inc. Young Entrepreneurs program took place this year on four college campuses: University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI; University of California in Berkley, CA; New York University in New York, NY; and Haverford College in Haverford, PA.

Tommaso Helwig Named Among “Engineering Leaders Under 40” by CFE Media

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (Sept. 15, 2022) – Congratulations to Ultimation Engineering Manager Tommaso Helwig , who was recognized by CFE Media, publisher of Control Engineering and Plant Engineering, as one of their “2022 Engineering Leaders.” The publication highlighted 36 professionals under the age of 40 who are making significant contributions to the success of their companies and the industries they serve.

2022 Engineering Leader Tommaso

A profile in the September edition recognizes Tommaso’s accomplishments:

“Tommaso Helwig has risen from an entry level design engineer to leading the development and implementation of custom machinery and material handling systems for Ultimation… Tommaso has developed new business opportunities with existing clients by championing Ultimation’s entry in injection molded, extruded and 3D printed products. He has made significant contributions to systems for hydroponic, indoor farming production.”

 

Read the full profile here.