Let’s start the interview by getting to know you a little. What is your job description at Martin Engineering?
I’ve have multiple roles in the company. I’m the Air Cannon & Marketing Global Director. In that role I set our strategic plan for our Air Cannon products and services, as well as support all of our companies around the globe. I interface with end users and EPC companies to develop new and innovative products to keep up with their ever changing needs. I’m also the Director of Marketing. In that role I get to help shape the image of company, not just in the USA, but in all of our locations around the world.
As far as Martin’s products are concerned, everyone knows belt cleaner and air cannons. In fact, Martin’s product line includes more than is known. Could you tell us about your other products?
Our company was established in 1944, with a patent on the first industrial vibrator. For the first 30 years, we only sold industrial vibrators. The first Air Cannon was patented by Martin Engineering in the early 1970’s to complement the vibration products. And over the last 40 years we’ve developed dozens of products that aid in the handling of Bulk Materials. We don’t supply conveyors or conveyor belts, but we manufacture just about every accessory that it used on a belt conveyor. Products such as Belt Cleaners, Belt Support, Belt Tracking, Safety Guarding, sealing systems for belt transfers, as well as dust collection and suppression systems. We even have an entire product line that specializes in the loading and un-loading of materials on rail systems. From the time the material is mined, until it reaches the final destination, one of our products have probably touched that material.
Could you tell us about the use of air cannons? Are there any new regulations?
There aren’t any new regulations, but there are many uses for Air Cannons. The Air Cannon is a “Flow Aid” device. Anywhere that bulk materials are stored, processed or transferred, an Air Cannon can aid in the flow of that material. The key is to select the proper Air Cannon and Nozzle combination that will best fit the application. Whether the material is running through a process or stored in a vessel, the Air Cannon aids in getting that material where it needs to go.
Could you please tell us about your R&D studies?
Martin Engineering invests heavily in R&D. We have a dedicated global R&D facility located close to our head office in the USA. It is staffed by 20 employees with over 150 years Martin Engineering experience. The facility has numerous laboratories, machines and test equipment to measure any aspect of bulk materials properties and handling. Bulk materials handling equipment is also onsite where products can be tested in real world conditions. It is also the facility at which Martin Engineering develops machinery and processes to improve our production processes. We have, for example, designed and built an assembly cell for industrial vibrators that has been duplicated in two of our facilities. This cell dramatically improves quality as all of the process variables that are critical to a quality product are measured and controlled in a manner that we know produces the best quality products.
What are the things that make you stand out among other companies?
I’d say our history in developing innovative products and services. Martin developed many of the original products that now supplied by competitors all over the world. They say it’s a complement when someone copies your product. We look at it as challenge to come up with something even better.
Could you give us information about after-sales services?
That’s a very critical component in our business. We make great products, but they are used in not so nice environments. We use our own service personnel as well as qualified contractors to perform routine service on our products. The service can be tailored to fit the needs of the customer. The goal in our new product development is to make products that last longer, perform better and are safe and easy to maintain.
Could you please tell us about your solutions aimed at the cement sector?
Air Cannon are obviously used in the Cement industry on the pyro-process to remove material build-up in the pre heater and the clinker cooler. But they are also used on crushers, material transfer chutes, raw material silos, gypsum hoppers, etc. The Cement industry is the largest user of our Air Cannon products, so most of our new developments are designed to work in the harsh environments of the industry. Over the last few of years we have developed new Air Cannons that have better cleaning performance and easier to maintain. But they are also smaller in size, so that they use much less compressed air. Our latest developments have been centered on the optimization of our high temperature nozzles. It doesn’t matter how good your Air Cannon works if the nozzle isn’t installed properly, or becomes blocked. These new “Smart” nozzles allow for easy installation, inspection and replacement without any entry into the tower or cooler. And without having to damage good refractory just to change a nozzle. But a cement plant also has many conveyor belts. Plants utilize our belt cleaners and many of our other conveyor products as we ll.
Sustainability is an important issue for companies from all sectors. What are Martin’s plans for sustainability?
We are very conscious of the effects on the environment. Since our belt cleaner blades are made of polyurethane, they are not easily recycled. We try to optimize our designs so parts of our blades are re-useable, thus limiting the refuse. Our Air Cannons are designed to use less compressed air to help save energy usage in the plants. In fact, our new facility in China incorporates a rain water capture system, a rooftop garden, and a custom window arrangement that allows for maximum natural light entry.
It is very important to carry out regular maintenance of air cannons. Can result in severe safety accidents if periodic maintenance cannot be provided. Could you give advices about this topic?
Safety is of the upmost importance, especially in the high temperature environment in a cement plant. We recommend the use of isolation gates on the discharge of any Air Cannon. Closing the isolation gate before any maintenance is performed will ensure that personnel are not in harm’s way while they service the Air Cannons. We also recommend the use of an Air Cannon that operates with a positive pressure air pulse. Many Air Cannons on the market operate with a negative drop in air pressure. These Air Cannons can inadvertently discharge anytime someone shuts off the air supply. Positive firing Air Cannons will not discharge if the air supply is shut off, thus making them much safer.
Could you tell us about the advantages and installation of the “Core Gate”?
The Core Gate is a new product, but it’s coupled with an installation service. Traditionally, the only time nozzles could be installed on the pyro-process was during a planned outage. The Core Gate is an isolation mounting flange for use with our Smart Series nozzles. It allows our customers to “safely” install nozzles and Air Cannons while the process is running. Increased production & the use of alternative fuels can cause build up issues at any time. Now t here’s a solution!
Could you please tell us about the social responsibility projects carried out by Martin Engineering?
Martin Engineering is deeply committed to helping develop quality lives and communities for our employees and neighbors worldwide. Through active support and involvement in local service and volunteer programs around the globe, we strive to help make our world a better place one smile at a time. Our many projects include STEM education and leadership training for students, awareness and fundraising initiatives for illness care and research, environmental stewardship programs, assistance for impoverished families and communities, and active support and participation in multitudes of events and celebrations in our communities around the world.
We see at many sector, promotions, advertisements and articles of Martin Engineering almost all over the world. Could you give information about the working principle of your marketing team? What are you paying attention to marketing?
The aim of our marketing efforts is to help educate our audiences so that they may make better informed decisions for their people and processes that place a priority on safety and efficient production. As with our products and services themselves, Martin Engineering can thereby help our customers achieve their best results. If we do this, we will be successful together.
When we look at martin employees, we see happy people who have been working for their company for many years. What is the reason for this faithfulness?
All of our companies are located in smaller communities, and there is a very strong family atmosphere that we’ve created. If you ask someone from Martin: Why do you come to work every day? They’ll tell you it’s so that their families can thrive and their communities can flourish. The family culture is why people want to stay.
Finally, is there anything else that you want to share with our readers?
Most of your reader are our customers. So I’d like to say Thank You to all of them for their past & future business.
