Connecting with a Global Network for a Sneak Peek at the Future

Providing a conveyor system that perfectly fits the business needs of a small-to-medium sized manufacturer or large distribution center requires a global network.

There’s an ever-growing need for efficiency and automation in most companies to meet growing demands. As a result, today’s material handling and conveyor system requirements are much more advanced. This requires expertise from companies located around the world.

Kali Cresent, general manager, Ultimation Online Sales and Parts, recently traveled more than 8,000 miles to connect with that global network in Düsseldorf, Germany, which Interroll sponsored as part of its Rolling On Interroll® (ROI) partner program.

“Powered roller conveyor systems and components are an important, growing part of the business,” says Kali.  “The partnership is an initiative by Interroll to bring together companies that integrate its products and produce different parts of these systems.  It’s a way to support innovation among companies that have complementary businesses.”

Interroll Academy Huckelhoven-Baal

Powered roller conveyor systems support the revolution underway in manufacturing that some call Industry 4.0, which focuses on innovative, automated processes. Advantages to using power roller conveyor systems are that they are safer, quieter, and easier to maintain. These newer conveyor systems can replace traditional, chain-driven systems that use large, gear motors.

At the conference, the partners got an exclusive sneak preview of new conveyor solutions currently under research and development before going to market.

“Understanding the products that will soon become available is a big advantage to us as we are helping our customers plan for their future needs,” says Kali.

Kali also had the opportunity to tour a couple of Interroll facilities, in addition to taking advantage of training and networking opportunities.

“It was great to see the Interroll manufacturing processes,” says Kali. “It is very clear that they’re passionate about what they do and take great care to deliver a quality product.”

For more information about Ultimation Industries, visit https://www.ultimationinc.com. For more information about Interroll, visit https://www.interroll.com/. For more information about the Rolling On Interroll® (ROI) partner program, visit https://rollingoninterroll.com/.

STEM Students – Grow Your Good Idea for Vertical Farming Into a $1,500 Scholarship

College STEM students have until Dec. 15, 2022, to submit ideas on how to use conveyors in vertical farming applications for a chance to earn a $1,500 scholarship from Ultimation Industries.

College Students Scholarship Opportunity Ultimation

The scholarship links two things the team at Ultimation is passionate about – STEM education and vertical farming.

As a leader in conveyor technologies and automation, we understand the need to support today’s students who will be leading tomorrow’s work in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

As a key supplier of vertical farming conveyors, we see the potential in this rapidly growing business sector. Our technologies are already helping large-scale facilities across the United States and the Middle East achieve their potential. These vertical farms are growing food more efficiently, without pesticides, during longer growing seasons and, often, in urban areas.

Last year’s scholarship winner was Jonathan Wright, a computer engineering student at Utah State University. Jonathan shares the Ultimation team’s enthusiasm for vertical farming. His idea uses a gravity-driven system and robotics that revolves around separate towers that can move independently of each other in response to the changing needs of the plants.

What you need to know to submit your idea:

  • Scholarships are only awarded to students enrolled in accredited U.S. colleges or universities.
  • You must major in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) discipline.
  • Students must be high school graduates.
  • Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
  • The scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. High school students are not eligible.
  • Employees and children of employees of Ultimation Industries, LLC are not eligible.
  • The deadline for submissions is December 15, 2022.

You can find complete guidelines, detailed eligibility rules and the online form to submit your idea at Ultimation STEM Scholarship: STEM College Scholarship – 2022 | Ultimation Industries LLC (ultimationinc.com)

Ultimation Adds Portec Belt Curves and Conveyors to Tackle the Toughest Material Handling Environments

Airport mainstay can move heavy items quickly for a variety of industries, with minimal maintenance requirements

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (Nov. 1, 2022) – The same conveyor technology that moves more than 4 billion pieces of luggage annually is now available for other industries that require durable, low-maintenance, high-speed material handling solutions, according to Ultimation Industries. Portec belt curves and conveyors by Interroll are used by some of the biggest airports in the world and can now be ordered through Ultimation, the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer. Ultimation specializes in solving productivity challenges with fast-to-deploy solutions.

 

“Portec belt curves are durable enough to transport heavy bags through the airport system day in and day out on demanding timetables that don’t allow for downtime,” said Richard Canny, president of Ultimation. “When they do need maintenance, Portec’s easy serviceability can help get operations back up and running quickly.”

 

He added that other industries with demanding material handling environments, such as distribution centers, parcel handling operations, food/wine/beverage facilities and vertical farms can also experience similar benefits with Interroll Portec systems.

Portec Belt Curve Application

Ultimation is one of the leading integrators for Interroll and Portec equipment. Ultimation designs, builds, and integrates customized solutions from Interroll and Portec into a customer’s existing system. The complete range of Interroll modules are available through Ultimation:

 

  • Belt Curves are available in curvatures ranging from 15 to 290 degrees and can be used in a flat application or can work on an ascent or descent.
  • Spiral Chute Masters are made of fiberglass and resemble a slide to allow for downward travel aided by gravity.
  • Spiral Lifts are the perfect solution for vertical transport when space is a factor. The spiral lift can range in radius while keeping product orientation stable throughout the lift/descend.
  • Merges/Diverges allow for conveyors to diverge and combine with different conveyors in a swift and efficient manner.
  • Belt Conveyors are available in different configurations ranging from horizontal format to incline and decline formats.

 

“Portec belt curves are low maintenance and very durable, with belts known to last 10 years or longer in some cases,” said Canny. “If the belt does begin to wear out, replacements can be reinstalled in minutes since the frame construction provides easy access to the belt.”

 

Replacement parts and systems for Interroll belt conveyors and Portec belt curves, including a range of belts, bearings, gear motors, drum motors and complete conveyor sections, are available through Ultimation for purchase. For more information about conveyor solutions from Ultimation Industries, visit https://www.ultimationinc.com.

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.