Caught with your Plants Down? Expect a Higher Standard.

It doesn’t take much to bring a food production line to a halt. A little belt mistracking, just enough edge wear, and foreign material contamination (FMC) can have you down for the day—or longer.

It depends on your supplier.

As the biggest threat to our global food partners’ success, FMC—and how to prevent it—has captured Intralox experts’ focus for years. In that time, we’ve continually visited our food partners’ plants to understand their goals and stay ahead of the industry’s most pertinent FMC challenges.

In fact, as we evaluated more than 1,000 of their conveyors, we expanded our hygiene-focused product suite into the comprehensive Intralox® FoodSafe™ System. This collection of products, services, and training is designed to provide the lowest conveyor-related risk of FMC on the market.

Because if there’s one consistent truth our experts identified over this multiyear period of preventive innovation, it’s that no single element of your line is responsible for FMC defense. Everything has to work together to provide the lowest possible risk.

“It’s systems—not belts or components—that prevent FMC,” said Kevin Guernsey, Engineering Supervisor at Intralox.

That includes not just what your system is built of—but whom it’s built of.

“Just like your components and belting,” Guernsey said, “your operation and your supplier have to be compatible.”

Here’s what to look for when evaluating belt suppliers for your next project.

A Strategic Partner

“The first thing to notice is whether they’re curious about your whole line,” Guernsey shared.

He explained that if your supplier wants to know about your full system, product, and daily production goals, they’re thinking holistically about their solution’s impact on your operation.

“Solutions in one area have an effect downstream,” Guernsey said. “It all matters.”

It’s also how they’ll know, for instance, that a custom solution would be a better fit for your operation—if they offer them.

“Lots of the time with food processors, conveyance technology can’t really be one-size-fits-all,” Guernsey explained. “For that reason, you need to identify whether you’re talking to a long-term partner or a transactional supplier.”

To find out, ask your potential belt providers what support they offer in the planning stage. For instance, if they’ll work with you to optimize your layout and hygienic design, or if they’ll test your products on their solutions.

What about installation and startup—do they offer on-site expert help? Maintenance training? And do they stand behind their recommendations with performance guarantees?

In emergencies, how easy is it to contact someone who’s familiar with your operation? What about expedited shipping? How fast can they get you back up and running in the event of a failure?

“Basically, do they stand behind the product and do they stand behind your operation?” he said. “Any partner that’s in it for the long haul will have answers.”

And—of course—do they offer more than just belting?

“If they offer belt path components, installation and maintenance tools—the things you need to ensure compatibility and proper performance,” he said, “the long-term outcome’s going to be better than just fitting a belt with mismatched components.”

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Your Success Is on the Line

It doesn’t take much. A little mistracking, just enough edge wear, and bam—foreign material contamination (FMC) leads to a brand-defining recall. Watch the video to learn what questions to ask your belt providers to avoid product damage, voided warranties, and more.

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A Higher Standard

“I see it all the time in the field,” shared Michael Kemp, Account Manager at Intralox. “A sprocket from one provider trying to run a belt from another. It’s technically running together, but it’s not working together. If it’s a forced fit, it fails faster.”

Within your system, interactions of things like physical fit, chemical compatibility, pull strength, and much more are crucial for your belting and components’ performance. Mixing and matching your sources can create unforeseen issues.

“With Intralox FoodSafe, the guesswork is gone,” Kemp said. “If we sell it to you, it’s the best belt in its class for your application, and we also offer all the components it needs to perform long term.”

In fact, Intralox representatives will never sell you a belt unless it can meet your specific challenge or need. Their recommendations are backed by money-back guarantees.

“We’ve built a unified source for all the food industry’s best conveyance solutions,” Kemp said. “The easiest way to get up and running—and stay up and running.”

Once our experts have guided you through installation and startup, The Intralox FoodSafe System’s maintenance tools simplify your protocols and maximize uptime. Plus, training led by Commercial Food Sanitation (CFS) experts ensures food safety becomes a core part of your operation.  

“Since working with Intralox, I've seen a turnaround across Maintenance, Sanitation, and Production,” said a Maintenance Manager at one North American Poultry Processor. “Everyone has their eyes wide open, and they're noticing when something doesn't look right on a conveyor. People are being more careful, as a result, we don't find nearly as many damaged belts.”

“The training was customized to our facility and maintenance team,” said a Food Safety Manager at Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc. “That immediately had a positive impact, as participants could relate to the topics. Throughout the training, you could see their ‘aha moments,’ their engagement with the trainers, and the interest in applying these new concepts to their daily tasks.”

“We’re there at every stage of the project,” Kemp said. “Our experts can help you with layout and conveyor design, installation and startup, ongoing health checks, emergency support and expedites—you name it. We’ve got your line covered.”

Work Well Together

“Ultimately, the thing we all want is safer food for everybody,” Kemp said. “As food processors, you’re on the front lines. So, keep us safe. Ask about these things.”

“Ask us, even,” Kemp elaborated. “If a supplier’s approach is missing something you need, don’t accept it as an industry shortcoming. Challenge them. Challenge the industry’s expectations with us.”

“And just know that if Intralox is your partner,” Guernsey said, “if there’s an answer we don’t have yet, we’ll innovate until we do.”