As manufactures across many industries face ever increasing labor shortages, business enterprises are focusing their infrastructure investment on upgrading production processes and equipment. Where possible, simpler processes are automated, while labor is repositioned to perform higher-value tasks. Portland-based SparTek Industries assists manufacturers in updating or enhancing their production processes and equipment through reliable and cost-effective solutions. Since its inception over 40 years ago as a machine tool builder, SparTek Industries has transitioned itself as a process machinery and automation solutions provider. “We are a design, manufacture, installation and service company, providing production machinery and automation solutions to improve production throughput and labor efficiencies for our customers” states Michael Cook, CEO of SparTek Industries.

Clients combatting staffing shortages approach SparTek Industries with the common objective of finding ways to automate and lower production costs. The company begins with an initial assessment of efficiencies and effectiveness of the customer’s equipment and processes. As problems and inefficiencies are identified, a short list of opportunities is prioritized where upgrades and automation can most cost-effectivelybe integrated into the production line. SparTek will then assist their client in the evaluation and design of a solution to optimize and leverage manufacturing efficiencies and reliabilities on their production floor. The firm has a range of standard product platformsthat can be uniquely configured to each customer’s need. These technologies are spread across different applications and industries, such as rubber product manufacturing.

Once a project is underway, the mechanical, electrical and automation teams at SparTek Industries work closely with the customer to quantify the solution from an infrastructure installation standpoint. This partnership then determines the investment and return for the identified initiative. Each design is ensured to be a solution which is customized to fit the customer’s particular need or unique situation. “We leverage scale through our standard product platforms and provide unique solutions through the configuration and customization of the final design” says Cook.

For instance, a large manufacturer was pressing rubber into flooring mats and panels and was suffering from labor inefficiencies throughout the production process.

They were also facing challenges with a history of worker injuries on the floor. The client was looking for opportunities to build efficiencies and reduce worker compensation claims. This production line began with the in-feed of rubber feedstock into a large hydraulic press, with panels exiting the press into the finishing processes of clipping, cooling, conditioning, stacking and material transfer. SparTek Industries worked with this client to design, build and install an upgraded system, beginning at the exit of the press through final transfer to the warehouse. This production line retrofit included new and upgraded equipment, automation and control system. The result was an increase in throughput, a decrease in required labor, a drop in injury claims and a more consistent and higher-quality produced product.

Our products can be configured with the objective to minimize the need for customized and costly engineering design, while maximizing the financial impact (ROI) to the success of the improvement initiative

Leveraging decades-long experience with a variety of applications across a broad range of industries, SparTek has developed a product platform that can be uniquely configured for each customer application. “Our products can be configured with the objective to minimize the need for customized and costly engineering design, while maximizing the financial impact (ROI) to the success of the improvement initiative” adds Gary Corso, director of sales at SparTek Industries.

The company has planned several growth initiatives in the upcoming years, adding both product and business development resources for market expansion.The firm has a new product development slate, targeting an expansion of their product platforms across multiple customers and markets. Achieving recognition as the premier production machinery and automation solutions provider for the markets in which they serve, is well within reach of SparTek Industries.