Problem Solvers: “How do we add temporary seasonal material handling capacity fast?”

With the holiday season and Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days right around the corner, Ultimation customers are looking for ways to quickly add material handling capacity, without breaking the budget.

The answer? Flexible and expandable conveyors.

“Today’s modern warehouses need to be versatile and adaptable,” said Alec Fitzgerald, Digital Marketing Specialist for Ultimation. “Flexible conveyors are a cost-effective solution for 3PLs, assembly, packaging, shipping, or receiving that experience a high seasonal volume.”

Here’s how flexible and expandable conveyors work:

  • Fully expanded, flexible conveyors can provide up to 15 feet of conveyor capacity.
  • When not in use, the compressed width of 18″ and length of 3 feet is small enough to store under pallet racks or just about anywhere.
  • The conveyor legs can be adjusted for heights from 28 – 40 inches, creating the incline needed to move products efficiently.
  • Set-up takes only a few minutes. The conveyor’s large legs and smooth rolling casters make it easy for one person to move without having to use a lift truck.
  • Curve the conveyors to create the exact path needed. This is beneficial for long distances that may have obstacles along the way or a very specific route to move your product.
  • Flexible roller conveyors are great for odd-shaped items like bags or low grade cartons.

Prices start at $665 for the 2- to 8-foot length. Visit the Online Store for full specifications, including weight capacity and pricing.

“Flexible conveyors are a much less expensive investment that can be set up quickly during high volume months,” said Alec. “These compact and portable conveyors could be a better solution for your company, rather than a permanent conveying system that would take up space you need.”

Ultimation Industries Expands Line of Quick-Ship Material Handling Product Offerings

Nearly 100 new products give small- and medium-sized manufacturers, distributors and others more customization options

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (Sept. 19th, 2023) – Ultimation Industries’ quick-ship product line is expanding, with more than 100 new items added in the last year alone. Ultimation, an MCE company, is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer, specializing in solving productivity challenges with fast-to-deploy solutions for a broad range of end-markets, including energy, automotive, logistics and vertical farming.

 

“Our customers’ businesses are evolving with the rapid growth of e-commerce and shifts in consumer demand,” said Kali Cresent, general manager for Ultimation. “We expanded our line of conveyors and accessories to help them meet these challenges and give them the flexibility and productivity enhancements they need to grow.”

 

Ultimation’s online stores now carry nearly 400 SKUs, ranging from light-, medium- and heavy-duty gravity conveyors to motor-driven roller conveyors, beam trolleys, expandable conveyors, replacement parts and more. Among the new offerings for quick-ship orders are:

 

  • More lengths and widths of gravity conveyors. With an expanded offering of lengths and widths, customers can get near-custom sizes at off-the-shelf pricing when purchasing gravity conveyors. Choose from 3-, 5-, or 10-foot sections for most roller conveyors. Longer spans such as 10-foot sections are also available and may need a center support.
  • Curved motor-driven roller (MDR) conveyor segments. Curved conveyor sections have always been available for Ultimation’s custom-built material handling projects, but the introduction of curved MDR conveyors in the quick-ship line affordably brings this technology to small- and medium-sized businesses. Curved sections allow manufacturers and distributors to create a full-loop system or configure conveyors around warehouse obstacles or other equipment.
  • Flexible and expandable conveyors with longer lengths. Flexible conveyors can expand when needed, and contract for storage. These conveyors are a simple solution for moving products more efficiently and set-up only takes a few minutes. Ultimation now offers expandable conveyors that reach up to 15 feet in length when fully extended.
  • New poly coated roller options. Conveyor roller covers have many applications, from light manufacturing to heavy duty conveyor systems, and come in a variety of materials and textures such as soft urethane, vinyl and hard plastic. They are used for reducing noise levels, cushioning products, providing traction, reducing scratches and marks, and moving products down the line when the rollers have come to a stop. Roller cover material can be purchased in 5-foot sections so customers can cut them to the desired length prior to installation. Roller covers can also be pre-cut to the required length for various conveyor roller sizes, and many of Ultimation’s gravity conveyors can be purchased with pre-installed roller covers.

Roller Conveyor with Covers and Legs 24"W x 5'L

The new products are the result of Ultimation’s focus on staying close to their customers and providing solutions to their material handling needs.

“We answer every phone call with a live sales associate and get back to every enquiry within 24 hours,” said Cresent. “Every contact is an opportunity to learn how to be more customer centric.”

 

For more information about Ultimation Industries’ quick-ship conveyor solutions, visit https://www.ultimationinc.com.

Thank you, Jackie!

Jackie Canny has been CEO of Ultimation Industries since 2011, with a clear mission to grow the company to become “the Ultimate in Automation.” It’s been an impressive 12-year journey from supplying tire and wheel machinery to the automotive industry to becoming the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer.

With the recent announcement that Ultimation will join Motion & Control Enterprises (MCE) family of companies and Jackie will retire, she has much to be proud of in her mission to expand into new markets through e-commerce while continuing to innovate for mainstay automotive customers.

Thank you, Jackie!

For example, Ultimation began experimenting with online sales in 2016, launching a range of “quick ship” products for sale online. Today, e-commerce makes up nearly 50% of Ultimation’s business. The company recently opened a new fulfillment center in Sterling Heights, Michigan to handle the growth.

Other significant achievements include:

  • Launching innovative conveyors for sequenced tire and wheel assemblies for automotive customers.
  • Diversifying into indoor vertical farming overhead conveyors and food safe grade systems.
  • Expanding the product line to include Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) or warehouse robots.
  • Using additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, for on-site capability for parts prototyping.

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

 

“It’s incredible to reflect on our journey from a scrappy turnaround to a thriving enterprise,” said Richard Canny, who will transition to president of Ultimation, an MCE company. “Jackie’s unwavering vision and support fueled our progress, transforming our dream into a reality far beyond our expectations. It’s been an unforgettable ride.”

 

Thank you, Jackie!

Ultimation Industries Joins Motion & Control Enterprises Family of Companies

 

We’re proud to announce that Ultimation is now part of the Motion & Control Enterprises (MCE) family! MCE is a supplier of technical fluid power, automation, flow control, compressed air products, service, and repair solutions, serving more than 25,000 OEM and end-user customers from 41 facilities located in 13 states.

“The transition to MCE allows Ultimation to continue its mission to be the ultimate in automation by providing customers with greater access to quality material handling solutions,” said Jackie Canny, retiring CEO of Ultimation.

What’s not changing is the Ultimation name, or its commitment to customers.

“We plan to continue to offer our full range of products under the Ultimation brand following the transition, with the same quality products customers expect,” said Richard Canny, who will serve as president of the Ultimation division of MCE.

He added that the company’s service and support teams remain ready to solve productivity challenges for customers and Ultimation’s quick-ship solutions will continue to be offered through the on-line storefronts.

“We are excited to welcome Ultimation’s talented associates to the MCE family,” said Charles Hale, Chairman & CEO of MCE. “Ultimation enhances our engineered solutions capability, provides an enhanced offering for the growing material handling market and allows us to significantly expand our e-commerce capabilities.”

For more information, visit https://mceautomation.com/about/news/acquisition-announcement-ultimation-industries/.

How We Helped: Three Ways Customers Use Our Light-Duty Gravity Conveyor

Ultimation’s mailbox is filling up with stories from customers about how our products are making work—and play—easier! This latest edition of our “How We Helped” series of customer stories features innovative ways to use Ultimation’s Light-Duty Gravity Conveyors.

Red carpet treatment

A customer with an area rug cleaning business uses Ultimation conveyors to transport carpets to and from the centrifuge that extracts water from a freshly washed rug. The customer used a light-duty gravity conveyor from Ultimation with adjustable support legs as the base. The conveyor was then customized with side rails to hold the rugs in place (and off the ground!) during transport.

Gravity Conveyor Rug Cleaning Centrifuge

Gravity Conveyor Rug Cleaning Application

Ship to shore solution

Ultimation’s gravity conveyors helped this innovative customer easily launch a paddle boat.

“The orange rollers allow a smooth transition in and out of the water,” says the customer. “Plus, one person can operate it using only one rope to get this heavy boat in and out of the pond easily.”

A lime-green pool noodle at the water’s edge protects against scratches.

Gravity Conveyor Paddle Boat Dock

 

Metal masters

Customers at a shop that fabricates and installs sheet metal products recently shared a photo of an Ultimation gravity conveyor being used as their angle iron. “Love the products!” they wrote.

Gravity Conveyor Angle Iron Application

Inspired? Let’s get started!

Ultimation’s gravity conveyors have steel or aluminum frames and are available in 3-, 5- and 10-foot lengths, with widths ranging from 12 inches to 36 inches or more. They’re best paired with conveyor support legs  in a matching width. They can support weights up to 1,500 pounds per set. Variable height adjustment optimizes ergonomics and helps control product speed. Best of all – they’re available as part of Ultimation’s Quick-Ship product line! Visit our online store for more information.