Ammeraal Beltech adding Georgia conveyor belt plant

BUFORD, Ga.—In the fall of this year, Ammeraal Beltech Inc., the conveyor belt segment of Ammega Group, will see its most recent major capital investment come to fruition as its 11th global manufacturing site and fifth facility in the U.S. begins operations.

The $19 million, 125,000-sq.-ft. facility in Hall County will produce lightweight rubber belts for a range of industries, with a specific focus on the food and logistics spaces, and create 83 jobs in Hall County, the company said May 5.

"We are excited to expand our Americas' infrastructure to provide a new level of service and response to our distributor and OEM customer base," said Niels van den Boogert, vice president and general manager of Ammeraal Beltech Conveying Solutions.

Alkmaar, Netherlands-based Ammeraal employs 2,750 people globally across 90 sites. Ammeraal is one of three major segments for Ammega Group, which was formed in 2018 when Megadyne Group, a power transmission company, merged with Ammeraal Beltech. Ammega later added Jason Industrial, its fluid power segment.

The Georgia facility will support Ammeraal's continued growth in the U.S., as it joins other Ammeraal facilities in Skokie, Ill. (production, fabrication and U.S. conveying headquarters); Lackawanna, N.Y. (fabrication); Grand Prairie, Texas (fabrication); and the Pennsylvania cities of Reading (production, modular belts) and Jefferson (fabrication).

"The Ammega journey started two years ago with a passion to be the best in belting," said Tom Doring, president of the Americas unit for Ammega Group and member of Ammega's Global Executive Committee. "To be the best, customers and channel partners come first."

Doring said the lightweight belting industry is trending toward innovation and faster delivery in a cost-effective manner.

"This investment will allow us to take what our industry considers great and make it normal," he said in an email to Rubber & Plastics News. "I am excited about this expansion as it is another way we can demonstrate our commitment to supporting our customers and channel partners."

Steve Facetti, vice president of marketing for the Americas segment at Ammega, said a robust labor pool, proximity to customers, logistics and distribution hubs, and other Ammega companies—including Megadyne Cumming (Georgia), Megadyne Charlotte (N.C.) and the Ammega Americas holding company headquarters in Dunwoody, Ga.—made the geographic choice of Buford an easy decision.

"Within our business-built research and development centers, we are continuously working to optimize our products to meet new challenges, such as higher operating temperatures, longer life expectancy, lower noise levels, the need for increased cleanability, and more stringent standards of hygiene and safety," Facetti said. "This new facility will be a great representation of Ammeraal Beltech's commitment to be located near its key markets."

The Buford manufacturing site will focus on production of lightweight belts, specifically PVC and urethane conveyor belts, for distributors and OEMs, according to Facetti.

Lightweight belts, comprising a reinforcement element and an elastomer, typically are produced with a variety of splicing methods and are used in a range of industries, from bakeries and package handling to airport baggage movement. NIBA: The Belting Association defines lightweight belting systems as those consisting of a working tension of less than 160 pounds per inch of width.

While Ammeraal has been a staple manufacturer for food industry conveyance, it will look to expand its footprint in logistics with the Buford facility.

"Working with our global customers and leading research institutions, Ammeraal Beltech develops belts that address the changing needs of the industries we serve," Facetti said.

The company is hiring for positions at the Buford site in operations, quality management and process engineering. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit ammeraalbeltech.com/en/about-us/jobs-and-careers for more information.

"I want to congratulate Ammeraal Beltech on their continuous growth and welcome their expansion to Buford and in the state of Georgia," said Pat Wilson, Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner. "As a hub for both manufacturing and logistics, Ammeraal Beltech will be able to benefit from our excellent workforce and infrastructure, positioning them well for further growth opportunities."

Outside of the U.S., Ammeraal Beltech maintains operations in China, the Netherlands, England, Denmark, Switzerland and Canada. The U.S. sites manufacture lightweight, modular and synthetic belts, while Swiss operations focus on high-performance belts.

Facilities in the Netherlands, England and China make synthetic belts, Denmark manufactures modular belts and the Canadian site focuses on PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) belts.

Together, this versatile product portfolio, which also includes ZipLink, ultrascreen, endless woven, solid woven, ultrasync, homogeneous (round and V-belts), plastic, and steel chain and engineered timing belts, allows Ammeraal to serve the airport, automotive, corrugated, food, metal, logistics, mail sorting, paper and print, textile, tobacco, tire, sports and leisure, marble and ceramic, recycling and wood industries.

"We are excited to expand our Americas infrastructure to provide a new level of service and response to our distributor and OEM customer base," van den Boogert said.