Partner
Foundry Corporate News TOP - Logistics Topic Service Provider

BAIC Funds New Product Development for General Kinematics Corp.

McHenry County, IL. Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Reading time: min

McHenry County EDC’s Business Accelerator for Innovation and Collaboration (BAIC) provided funding to help General Kinematics develop a novel, patent-pending vibratory dry slag cooling conveyor. The system is used in the processing of molten materials, including metals.

Bob Huffer, Applications Sales Manager at General Kinematics, said the conveyor is not only safer and lower maintenance than wet slag cooling systems, but is environmentally friendly.

The process minimizes water contamination and creates a useable granular material suitable for use as aggregate in road construction and other industries.  Slag refers to the impurities that typically float to the top during the melting process.

Jim Allen, BAIC Director commented that the funding from BAIC comes at a critical juncture in the product development cycle for General Kinematics. A prototype dry slag cooling conveyor has been in operation at one of their customer’s facility.  Test data collected from this pilot system will now allow General Kinematics to size the system for various materials and throughputs, thereby expanding their market opportunity.

Bill Acton, President of General Kinematics said “We appreciate the support of the BAIC program. The efforts of BAIC and MCEDC are very important to growing the businesses of McHenry County. As a company, we need to be more involved in our local community. It’s good for us and the county.”   Bob Huffer added “We like to keep work close to home. It’s to our advantage to involve our neighbors - suppliers of machining services, springs, motors, cylinders, bearings, etc. We find that we get better service.”  Huffer said the project will also help retain jobs within General Kinematics, particularly welders and fitters.

Based in Crystal Lake, General Kinematics is a world leader in the design and fabrication of innovative vibratory materials handling and processing equipment. In addition to itsCrystalLake world headquarters and manufacturing facilities, the company has global strategic partnerships and production plants in the United Kingdom and Thailand. The company holdsmore than 200 worldwide patents. General Kinematic’s products are used in the foundry, mining, recycling, construction and demolition industries, among others.

BAIC is an SBA funded initiative secured through the efforts of MCEDC (McHenry County Economic Development Corporation), McHenry County College and Illinois Congressman Don Manzullo. BAIC, the Business Accelerator for Innovation and Collaboration was established to focus on the needs of over 600 manufacturers in McHenry County, providing business assistance and consultation, free of charge. Utilizing a significant network of relationships, BAIC provides a vital link to the state, federal and private resources available to manufacturers with a focus on creating jobs, ideas & revenue.
(
<link http: www.illinoismanufacturing.net>www.illinoismanufacturing.net)

The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation is a non-profit private-public business advocacy group comprised of business and industry investors from throughout the county.  Its mission is to encourage and develop the economic health of McHenry County through the retention, expansion and attraction of commerce and industry which is conducive to an optimal quality of life for its citizens.  A non-governmental organization, the MCEDC seeks to work with local, county, state and federal legislators to foster, enhance and improve the economic vitality of McHenry County.

Company Info

General Kinematics Corp.

5050 Rickert Rd.
IL 60014 Crystal Lake
United States

Telephone: +18154553222

[0]