The Hytrol Story

As Hytrol became recognized as a major force in the conveyor business, customers began to order more complex conveyor systems. These systems were becoming more automated as factories, and warehouses struggled to streamline and speed up their operations. Distributors were visiting the Jonesboro plant more frequently than ever and many were bringing their customers along. The sales and engineering departments were working together, laying out conveyor systems and even designing special conveyors and accessories. Eventually, a special “Systems Engineering” group was formed to handle this increase. Hytrol’s general catalog was becoming fatter as more and more new conveyors and accessories were added to the Hytrol line. Tom was still inventing new types of conveyors, but some designs came directly from the distributor organization themselves. Their customers were asking for special kinds of conveyors to do specialized jobs. One example came from Hytrol’s distributor in Lynchburg, Virginia, Electro Mechanical Handling. They requested what, at that time, was called a “Cullet Conveyor.” This type of unit was designed to handle and convey away large amounts of scrap material such as empty cans, broken glass, wood chips, or steel stampings. Hytrol’s engineers got busy and designed the Model CRB. It was an immediate success. In the past, Hytrol was best known for the manufacture of light and medium-duty conveyors. The company was now also becoming more involved in the design and manufacture of heavier- duty conveyors. Chain roller and large diameter roller conveyors were being introduced to handle pallets and other heavy loads. The new Stockyard building was nearing completion in 1973. It was sorely needed to accommodate the 58% increase in Stockyard business experienced the past year! And, with this increased business, the Jonesboro plant was, once again, becoming cramped. By autumn, another expansion to the Jonesboro plant was in full swing and more “Pillars of Wisdom” could be seen reaching skyward. Plans called for not only an increase in the production area, but 20 c o n t i n u e d g r o w t h a n d c o n t i n u i n g e x p a n s i o n s