Deal enables customers to single-source high-quality conveyor belt solutions from two industry-leading companies
PITTSBURGH, November 30, 2020 –ERIKS North America and Continental Conveyor Belt announced an expanded partnership to provide high-quality conveyor belting products, services, and technology to industrial customers in Kansas, Missouri, and most of central and southern Illinois.
Scott Holquist, vice president, conveying systems products, ERIKS North America, said the partnership enables companies throughout the region to single-source proven, high-quality material handling products and services from two industry-leading companies.
“Continental has a global reputation for helping companies maximize their material-handling efficiency and capabilities with innovative conveyor-belt monitoring, cleaning, and engineering solutions,” he explained. “They offer an ideal complement to their heavy-duty conveyor belt products, which have a proven track record for producing documented time and cost savings for our customers.”
Continental products now available from ERIKS North America in the three-state territory include:
Conti®+, a web- and mobile-based information management system that enables companies to survey, track, model, and manage their entire conveyor belt operation. The system also provides installment history, production efficiency (tons-per-hour conveyed), expected service life, annual budget change-outs, and other critical performance data.
Conti®Alert, a conveyor belt-wear monitoring system that takes the guesswork out of belt replacement timing; and
ContiClean® non-stick conveyor belt technology, which enables conveyor belt surfaces to release coal, salts, silica, and other industrial materials more easily.
As part of the partnership with Continental, ERIKS North America local service crews will be able to order and install its Fortress XP™ and PLP technologies, which significantly enhance the mechanical strength and performance of conveyor belts in high-abuse environments.
ERIKS North America’s local service crews deliver an array of installation, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance, and downtime services. These services range from basic belt installation and tracking and repairs to ultrasonic gauge cover analysis, steel cable and fabric belt vulcanization, pulley, cleat, flange and chute lining installation, and vulcanized or mechanical belt splicing.
In addition to undergoing rigorous in-house and factory splice training for all belt constructions, crew members also are certified to Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) parts 46 and 48B and Occupational Health and Safety Agency (OSHA) 10 and 30 training standards, where appropriate.
Over the past few years, conveyor system specialists for ERIKS North America have delivered millions in documented savings for their customers by improving uptime, efficiency, and product sustainability.
To learn more about ERIKS North America and its partnership with Continental Conveyor Belt, visit www.ERIKSNA.com, email our conveying systems group at belting@eriksna-dev.local or contact one of the following local service offices: Wichita (316-265-4623), St. Louis/Edwardsville (618-512-4470) or Kansas City (816-241-1500).
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About ERIKS North America ERIKS (www.ERIKS.com) is a leading international industrial service provider that offers a wide range of technical products, co-engineering and customized solutions, as well as related services. We help customers in a variety of industrial segments to improve their products’ performance and reduce their total cost of ownership. Our technical know-how is the basis of our specialism. Over the last 80 years, we have built up deep expertise in the areas of sealing & polymer, gaskets, valves & instrumentation, industrial & hydraulic hoses, industrial plastics, conveying systems and more. We supply A-brands as well as our own ERIKS products. Our 6,500 skilled colleagues worldwide serve customers in their original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations (MRO). ERIKS has locations in 17 countries, with a strong position in Western Europe and North America, alongside a presence in Asia. For more information, please visit www.ERIKSNA.com
Anniversary Highlights Long History of Products and Services to Support Customer Growth
PITTSBURGH, October 22, 2020– ERIKS, a leading international provider of specialized industrial services, celebrated its 80th anniversary this month.
Founded in Alkmaar in the Netherlands, the company initially focused on supplying gaskets, hoses, seals and drive belts to the dairy sector. Eight decades later, ERIKS has grown to employ 6,500 skilled professionals in 17 countries, serving several industrial segments. ERIKS offers a wide range of technical products, co-engineering and customized solutions, while striving to help customers improve their products’ performance and reduce their total cost of ownership. To celebrate its anniversary, ERIKS developed a short video highlighting the company’s evolution over the last 80 years.
“Over the past 80 years, the team at ERIKS has had one simple goal: to help our customers build even more innovative, successful and profitable businesses through a focus on entrepreneurship and a commitment to technology,” said Shawn Courtney, CEO, ERIKS North America. “We are proud to celebrate our successful past as part of ERIKS’ 80th birthday, while maintaining that same passionate commitment to serving our customers around the world.”
After spending its first 48 years in the Netherlands and western Europe, ERIKS expanded to North America with the acquisition of ERIKS Seals and Plastics in 1988. As part of its continuing investment in North America, ERIKS acquired Rawson, Industrial Controls Distribution and Lewis-Goetz during a two-year span from 2010-11.
Specifically, the acquisitions of Rawson and Industrial Controls helped to expand ERIKS into selling valves and instrumentation products into the North American market. While the acquisition of Lewis-Goetz gave ERIKS additional product depth and a footprint that spans all throughout the U.S. and Canada.
In 2014, ERIKS North America was officially established for all North American-owned companies and their subsidiaries. ERIKS North America now features a comprehensive lineup of product groups ranging from industrial and hydraulic hoses, engineered plastics and flow control products, to gaskets, seals, conveying systems and more.
For more information about ERIKS North America, its history and current offering of products, technologies and services, visit the company website.
About ERIKS North America ERIKS (www.ERIKS.com) is a leading international industrial service provider that offers a wide range of technical products, co-engineering and customized solutions, as well as related services. We help customers in a variety of industrial segments to improve their products’ performance and reduce their total cost of ownership. Our technical know-how is the basis of our specialism. Over the last 80 years, we have built up deep expertise in the areas of sealing & polymer, gaskets, valves & instrumentation, industrial & hydraulic hoses, industrial plastics, conveying systems and more. We supply A-brands as well as our own ERIKS products. Our 6,500 skilled colleagues worldwide serve customers in their original equipment manufacturing (OEM) and maintenance, repair and overhaul operations (MRO). ERIKS has locations in 17 countries, with a strong position in Western Europe and North America, alongside a presence in Asia. For more information, please visit www.ERIKSNA.com
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Companies to provide advanced solutions for industry’s most rigorous bulk material handling applications
PITTSBURGH, June 1, 2020 – ERIKS North America and Fenner Dunlop have announced a partnership to provide high-quality conveyor belting products and services to industrial customers in northern California and Nevada.
Scott Holquist, vice president, conveying systems products, ERIKS North America, said the companies offer a unique combination of specialized expertise, enabling them to deliver advanced conveyor belting solutions for agriculture, mining, power generation, quarrying and other rigorous bulk-material handling applications.
“Fenner Dunlop has long been recognized as producers of the industry’s longest-lasting conveyer belting products,” Holquist explained. “Now, through this partnership, customers in California and Nevada can gain the benefit of uniting their industry-leading materials with our high-quality conveyor components, all with the comfort of knowing that both are backed by our world-class installation and repair services.”
ERIKS North America’s local service crews deliver an array of installation, troubleshooting, preventative maintenance and downtime services, ranging from basic belt installation, tracking and repairs to ultrasonic gauge cover analysis; steel cable and fabric belt vulcanization; pulley, cleat, flange and chute lining installation; and vulcanized or mechanical belt splicing.
In addition to undergoing rigorous in-house and factory splice training for all belt constructions, crew members also are certified to Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) parts 46 and 48B and Occupational Health and Safety Agency (OSHA) 10 and 30 training standards, where appropriate.
Over the past three years, conveyor system experts for ERIKS North America have delivered more than millions of documented saving for their customers by improving uptime, efficiency and product sustainability.
To learn more about the ERIKS North America and its partnership with Fenner Dunlop in California and Nevada, visit www.ERIKSNA.com or call one of the following local service offices: Chico (530-892-1253), Fresno (559-499-6900), Sacramento (916-369-8885), or Elko (775-778-6800).
About ERIKS North America ERIKS (www.ERIKS.com) has been a leading international industrial service provider since 1940. ERIKS North America offers a wide range of innovative, high-quality mechanical engineering components and associated technical and logistical services from over 100 locations across the United States and Canada. We provide the highest quality product standards in the industry, along with the peace of mind knowing that our products and fabrication are consistent, location-to-location, across our extensive footprint. From agriculture to power generation and from oil and gas to food and beverage, ERIKS North America provides a local presence and infinite possibilities, backed by ERIKS’ worldwide network of resources and know-how with over 300 locations in 17 countries. For more information, please visit www.ERIKSNA.com.
ERIKS North America is teaming up with Chemical Processing’s Best Practice Series to present their webinar “Effectively Seal at Temperatures Over 1,000°F.” The webinar will be held on May 7, 2020 at 2:00pm EST.
Join Our Webinar: Effectively Seal at Temperatures Over 1,000°F
Date/Time: May 7, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. ET Sponsor: ERIKS North America Speaker: David Clover, Senior Product/Application Specialist, ERIKS North America Host: Chemical Processing Moderator: Traci Purdum, Senior Editor – Digital Media
This webinar will focus on the challenges that extreme temperatures can present to achieving a reliable seal. Over the years our industry has created innovative and reliable solutions for a wide range of extreme sealing challenges. However, the most glaring hole in solution options has been for that small subset of sealing applications over 1,000⁰F. Up to that point, flexible graphite is reliable and comfortable. But crossing that 1,000⁰F threshold puts us in difficult territory.
To meet these needs ERIKS Netherlands has conducted a multi-year research and development project. This project culminated in the launch of an improved line of Phlogopite mica-based sealing products for spiral wound gaskets, kammprofile gaskets, and sheet gaskets. These products have superb chemical resistance, proven sealability that surpasses existing solutions, and excellent response to high-temperature thermal cycling up to 1,800⁰F.
ERIKS North America is proud to bring this new material technology to our state-side customers and will discuss these difficult applications and the benefits of this new material. Please register for this webinar by clicking the link above.
Meet the Presenter
David Clover is a Senior Product/Application Specialist for ERIKS North America. His 35 years in the gasket and sealing industry, both in distribution and in manufacturing, give him a valuable breadth of experience in anticipating and meeting the needs of the Refining industry.
David has worked on refinery sealing issues since 1984, developing the practical experience needed to understand and communicate solutions. David’s experience includes positions held at: Industrial Gasket, JM Clipper (Leader Gasket), Teadit North America, Advanced Sealing & Supply, Co., Inc. and currently ERIKS North America. David has written extensively over the years for both business and personal endeavors.
Dear Valued Customer,
The news on the COVID-19 is changing day by day. At ERIKS North America (“ERIKS”), we are following the CDC and other governmental agencies on the latest updates and guidance for critical information. We are also working with our customers to honor their requests related to site visits.
ERIKS has created a Task Force that meets regularly to review the impact of COVID-19 and make appropriate operational adjustments. The rapidly evolving situation requires that we remain agile to quickly and appropriately respond to the ever-changing situations in the world. We are implementing proactive measures to help stop the spread of the virus and keep our associates, their families and our communities safe, which includes customers and suppliers.
Below are the updates from the past several days:
• Our primary focus is to ensure the health and safety of our associates and business partners and compliance with applicable legal requirements, while ensuring that our large sites continue to operate to service customers. We have developed a contingency plan to help reduce the spread of the virus in our largest sites. Among those actions, we have reduced the number of associates in a single location and all critical functions have been separated to avoid disruption. We are also prohibiting visitors to enter any of our facilities unless determined business critical and approved by a Business Unit leader.
• We conducted an analysis of the supply chain, including our operating sites, to determine points of failure. Currently, we have not experienced any disruptions to our ability to process and ship orders from our facilities. We will attempt to timely communicate all supply chain disruptions to our customers. There are processes in place to monitor on hand supply, supplier operations, and export activities.
• We are working through current laws and developing procedures for associates to self-report and self-quarantine if they suspect possible infection with COVID-19. The procedures will also include how to notify potential parties who may have been in contact with the associate. We have also asked associates that report directly to a customer site for ERIKS business to follow customer site requirements in addition to our self-reporting requirements. If known by us, we will follow all reasonable customer requirements for reporting.
• We rely on the CDC to inform our decisions and actions to protect our associates and the community we interact with in our daily activities. In addition to the above measures, we are instructing associates to follow CDC hygiene habits and have asked all associates to implement social distancing practices.
As the uncertainty of this global health issue rapidly evolves, we are committed to keeping our customers informed of impacts to ERIKS and the actions we are implementing.
Best Regards, Shawn Courtney Chief Executive Officer
ERIKS – North America Region Companies include: ERIKS North America, Rawson/Industrial Controls, ERIKS Seals and Plastics and ICD Building Automation
Have you ever had a hose “bubble” right behind, or very near, the fitting?
Your hose assembly is extremely vulnerable nearest the fitting. Therefore, it is very important to select the proper fitting to match the hose and application.
Let’s look at a rubber 300 psi multipurpose air and water hose and review the two most common reasons this may happen.
Fitting too aggressive
Many distributors have a crimper for their hydraulic hoses and will crimp a hydraulic fitting with its barbed end onto a rubber multipurpose hose, sometimes, without issue. However, you need to select the proper fitting to match both the construction and pressure rating to the hose. (FYI – a hydraulic style fitting is not recommended for use on a standard air and multipurpose hose).
If the barbs on the fitting are too aggressive, they will bite through the tube causing a leak path. Material being conveyed through the tube will find the path of least resistance, and when the pressure builds up, air or water will escape through this leak path to form a bubble behind the fitting.
Or, the material will wick its way through hose by following the reinforcement, and where ever the cover is compromised, and that’s where the bubble will form.
You may think you need a more aggressive fitting for a hose with a high working pressure. However, the best course of action is to check with a reputable fitting manufacturer for a suitable fitting recommendation and coupling procedure.
Flex/Stress Point
Another cause of a hose failure right behind the fitting is because this is where the greatest amount of flexing and stress is put on the hose. If the hose bends at the point where the stem of the fitting ends, there is an opportunity for the stem to cut into the tube of the hose, and causes a similar scenario, where material migrates through the leak path and a bubble is formed.
Using a bend restrictor, spring, or strain reliever can reduce the amount of wear at this vulnerable point.
What to do
If you question whether the fitting or crimp is incorrect, or if the hose has a manufacturing defect, it is essential you return the end of the hose with the fitting intact to the manufacturer or fabricator of the hose. They need to see how the fitting was installed, then examine the tube of the hose where the fitting was in contact, to identify the problem and recommend a solution.
Are you having trouble tracking and inspecting your hose assemblies? ERIKS offers a complete survey, tracking, and hose reclamation program. Click here to complete a quick form to download our Industrial Hose Maintenance Management brochure to learn more.
Your industrial hose supplier should be aware that tube erosion (typically called the popcorning) in steam hose is most pronounced in hoses on the market which have tube of inferior rubber. The popcorn effect is what destroys a steam hose and the steam network. It is also what can injure workers when a hose fails. Popcorning destroys steam hose from within and the effect occurs when:
Microscopic water particles collect in the wall of a hose. When new steam enters the hose it heats up those particles, which expand explosively to 1600x their size.
When that happens, popcorn-like blisters explode on the hose’s inner surface. The resulting particles of rubber can contaminate the steam network or the product.
Over time, moisture forces its way out towards the skin of the hose, weakening the steel braiding and making it unsafe for use.
The popcorn effect is most pronounced when hoses are built with an inferior tube compound.
To prevent blistering or popcorning on the inner surface of steam hose, Goodall® formulated a premium, proprietary Chlorobutyl compound that’s 15x less permeable than EPDM. Even after thousands of hours of stop-start use, the Super Inferno, Inferno, and Dante hose shows no signs of popcorning. The lower the permeability, the longer the hose life, the greater the safety.
The Goodall range of Chlorobutyl hoses are:
Made of an abrasion and ozone-resistant EPDM in a distinctive red and black spiral striping for high visibility in all situations
The hose inside is pinpricked to significantly reduce the likelihood of cover blisters
Inside, multiple high tensile wire braids add plenty of integrity to handle a maximum pressure of 250 PSI at temperatures ranging from -40°F to 450°F
Goodall also formulated a high grade EPDM tube compound that provides excellence resistance to the effects of popcorning, resulting in durable, long-lasting steam hose assemblies.
Click here to complete a form download a technical datasheet for more information on the Goodall® steam hose products.
Your conveyor system is one of the most important elements of your operation so it’s critical that you work with a partner that understands just that. The simple truth is that you need a supplier that understands your operation, needs and knows conveyor systems like the back of their hand so that you don’t have to.
Here’s a quick checklist when selecting a conveyor system provider:
Do they provide surveys and inspections of your location? You want someone that knows conveyor systems. Period. You want to know that you’re using the best product available, that you’re only experiencing the number of change-outs necessary and that you’re reducing your total cost of ownership and that you have more uptime than downtime.
Do they have service crews and downtime support? You need a supplier that can be there when you need them. Whether it’s for installation, troubleshooting or preventative maintenance services having access to specialists, especially during an emergency is key.
Do they have an in-depth knowledge of everything that’s available? Some suppliers only know heavyweight belt that’s used in heavy traditional industry. Some only know lightweight belting products that are used in industries like Food and Beverage and Agriculture. Your supplier should be well-versed in both. Why? Because product innovation only comes from knowing trends, understanding what’s available and knowing the right solution to apply to each individual circumstance. A supplier should also be very familiar with every component and accessory used in all different types of systems. From pulleys and idlers to chute liners and safety cages – your supplier should evaluate everything and do what it takes to keep you running straight.
Are they experienced with servicing customers like me? Does this supplier have experience servicing your industry or even your competitors? Are they aware of common issues that I might face on a regular basis? Do they understand my needs both individually and as a whole? If they are not taking the time to learn by conducting an in-depth evaluation then you might need to shop around.
Will they prove the value that they’re providing? Your supplier should always be thinking of ways to help you which ultimately will save you money.
Did they install a product substitution that resulted in less change-outs than before?
Are they providing innovative solutions that’s reducing or avoiding downtime?
Are they helping me reduce the labor needed? Are they available around-the-clock whenever I need them?
If you’re questioning any of these responses there are conveyor belt suppliers out there that will partner with you 365 days a year 7 days a week to ensure the smoothest operation possible. But of course the question is always, what have you done for me lately? Having a supplier that keeps documentation of what they do for you is helpful, especially when you can show a cost savings as a result of the partnership.
Do they provide on-site training? You may need to understand the product and their applications so that you can handle emergencies if they arise. Sure, it’s always nice to have someone to call and rely on in the case of an emergency but wouldn’t it be great if you could be the hero of the day? Some suppliers will train your entire staff on various topics from safety to troubleshooting problems. In-person training that meets your needs is also a token of a solid supplier.
In summary, everyone is different and has unique needs and you want a conveyor belt supplier that understands what yours are, and that can be there immediately to help you when you’re in a bind. Besides, the work that you do is too important not to reduce your downtime as much as possible.
Click here to download an example of how ERIKS processes prevented a customer from replacing a belt and avoided downtime.
For a great marksman, hitting the center of a target is not a problem. You set up a target, and he can hit it. In fact, he can hit it all day long; because this is what he does. However, all his skill and confidence won’t help him a bit if he’s presented with two targets and not told which one he is to hit. Which one should he focus on and which one should he ignore?
Such is the problem with many flange torquing standards, especially in regard to heat exchangers. In the majority of cases, existing assembly procedures for heat exchangers call out a specific stud stress that should be targeted. That stress level may be 40%, 50%, or 60% of yield, and that same value is applied – almost without exception – to all heat exchangers in the plant, regardless of pressure ratings, the number and size of the studs, the gasket size, or a host of other factors. Success – in so far as tightening the exchanger is concerned – is defined by how much a stud is stretched. It’s an easy target to hit. But is it the right target?
Many studies have been completed which show that long-term sealing of bolted connections is all about gasketstress. To be more precise, it is about attaining the needed stress, and maintaining that stress in the face of the relaxation that can be anticipated in the joint.
The ruling parameter in determining the assembly torque required for a given joint must always be gasket stress, not stud stress.
Studs don’t seal flanges, gaskets do. The “target” must be the gasket stress needed for optimal performance. Because of this, it is necessary for your gasket supplier to:
1. Evaluate the gasket area
2. Then evaluate the pressure interactions and the desired gasket stress
3. Calculate the stud stress that must be developed to achieve that end
To put it simply, any assembly specification that is based on achieving a specific stud stress is aiming at the wrong target. In fact, any such specification can only develop the optimal gasket stress by accident, or by coincidence. The only way to make sure that the correct gasket stress is achieved is by targeting gasket stress.
Click here to download a technical note on the importance of using gasket stress instead of stud stress when torquing your heat exchanger flanges.
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 19, 2019 – ERIKS North America announced that Industrial Distribution magazine ranked the company at number 22 on its 2019 Big 50 list. The prestigious, annual listing ranks the country’s top industrial suppliers by their previous year’s worldwide sales revenue.
During the Big 50 video countdown, Anna Wells, executive editor, Industrial Distribution, cited several significant achievements by ERIKS North America in 2018, including the rebranding of companies, such as Lewis-Goetz, EVCO House of Hose, and Valley Rubber & Gasket. She also highlighted company milestones, such as the appointment of Shawn Courtney as president and chief executive officer, and the opening of a new metal gasket and fastener fabrication shop at ERIKS’ Chicago Service Center.
“It’s an honor for ERIKS North America to once again be named to Industrial Distribution magazine’s Big 50 list,” said Courtney. “With the evolving distribution landscape, this recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of our 2,000 associates—from our sales teams and support staff to our engineers and product specialists who enable ERIKS North America to provide customers with reliable products, dependable service, and exceptional technical support.”
Click here to watch the video announcement. The full listing appears in the November/December issue of Industrial Distributionmagazine.
For more information on ERIKS North America, as well as to explore its complete line of industrial product and service offerings or find one of its nearly 140 locations in the U.S. and Canada, visit www.ERIKSNA.com.
About ERIKS North America ERIKS (www.ERIKS.com) has been a leading international industrial service provider since 1940. ERIKS North America offers a wide range of innovative, high-quality mechanical engineering components and associated technical and logistical services from nearly 140 locations across the United States and Canada. We provide the highest quality product standards in the industry, along with the peace of mind knowing that our products and fabrication are consistent, location-to-location, across our extensive footprint. From agriculture to power generation and from oil and gas to food and beverage, ERIKS North America provides a local presence and infinite possibilities, backed by ERIKS’ worldwide network of resources and know-how with over 340 locations in 17 countries. For more information, please visit www.ERIKSNA.com.
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Editor’s Note: An image is available upon request.
ERIKS North America earns spot on Industrial Distribution’s 2019 Big 50 List
