Mtech Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 09, 2003

Garrett County Manufacturer Pioneer Conveyor Poised to Capture Fortune 500 Market with Improved Mining Roller

GARRETT COUNTY, Md.—Pioneer Conveyor is aiming its sights at a larger share of the $100 million mining conveyer idler roller industry, thanks to an improved product it's developed with the University of Maryland.

The company, which sells $3 million in idler rollers to mining companies each year, has re-engineered its manufacturing processes and developed a new, state-of-the-art roller through the university's Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Program.

"We hit a boom in the mining industry and became successful very fast," said Pioneer Conveyor President Courtland Helbig. "But our products weren't engineered."

When some of the company's roller products started to fail, whether for structural, environmental or manufacturing reasons, Helbig decided to find out why. University of Maryland, Baltimore County Mechanical Engineering Professor Dwayne Arola had the answer.

"We looked at their current manufacturing practices and evaluated new ones," said Arola, whose work, along with that of two graduate students, was funded by MIPS. "We found and suggested ways they could improve their welding, alignment, assembly and other processes. Then we engineered a vastly improved roller design."

Helbig incorporated nearly 80 percent of Arola's manufacturing suggestions. "The difference in problems we're having is night and day," said Helbig. "We just don't have them anymore."

This confidence in the company's products has Helbig looking at larger and new markets, even though Pioneer already ships 120,000 rollers per year—representing approximately 95 percent of the company's product line. "Before this, we were a low-priced producer of rollers," said Helbig. "Now we can go after the Fortune 500 companies like Consol and Peabody Holding. That's where our future lies, being able to sell to these markets."

Pioneer has expanded into the expansive, above-ground aggregate market, where its rollers will help conveyors move products such as salt, gravel and limestone.

If the company incorporates Arola's new roller design, it could potentially edge out much of its competition, especially with the projected two-year lifespan increase of each roller. The new rollers will last up to five years, handling tons of coal or other products at any point in time—at up to 800 feet per minute.

Increased sales could also lead to growth and expansion for the 30-employee company—bringing additional revenue and new jobs to Garrett County.

"This is a great example of using State resources to help a company become more competitive," said Frank Shap, technology development officer for the Garrett County Office of Economic Development. "Economic growth is built one business at a time, and each company that succeeds ultimately leads to improved financial performance for the region, as well as job growth."

Pioneer was led to MIPS through the Maryland Department for Business and Economic Development, which referred the company to Robert Barazotto, the western regional manager for the University of Maryland Manufacturing Assistance Program (UMMAP), the university's consulting arm for manufacturers. Barazotto contacted Arola, who then—along with Pioneer—acquired MIPS funding.

MIPS offers matching funds for collaborative research and development between any company in the State and faculty from any University System of Maryland institution. MIPS projects have helped companies solve vital technical problems and create revolutionary technologies, including MedImmune's Synagis product, which prevents a prevalent respiratory disease in infants, Black & Decker's ultra-efficient masonry drill bits, and Martek's top-selling additive for infant formulas.

UMMAP brings manufacturing best-practice and process optimization consulting to Maryland companies, as well as specialized technology solutions through connections with university faculty.

Both UMMAP and MIPS are part of the university's Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH), which strengthens and builds technology companies in Maryland.

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