Martin Engineering, a world leader in bulk handling solutions, recently marked 80 years of product innovation, engineering expertise and global growth. During a month of celebrations in September 2024, the firm invited customers, local communities, and employees’ families to its flagship Center for Innovation in Neponset, Illinois, USA, and see for themselves the extent of Martin’s investment in engineering research and technological advancement over eight decades.
Over the years, Martin Engineering has become synonymous with the development and manufacture of innovations that deliver cleaner, safer and more productive bulk materials processing. The company holds dozens of patents for engineering designs that have revolutionized workplace safety and production efficiency in foundation sectors like mining and quarrying, cement and steel production, as well as resource recovery and recycling.
Primarily focused on conveyor belt performance and bulk flow technologies, Martin said its products are proven to eliminate blockages, prevent spillages and reduce dust emissions – a commitment that’s reflected in the company slogan “Problem Solved – Guaranteed”.
Visitors to the Center for Innovation were impressed by what they saw according to Martin Engineering Marketing Manager, Seth Mercer. “They were amazed by the scale of the operation and breadth of our product range. Even those who were familiar with Martin were both surprised and impressed with how much the company has grown in recent years,” Mercer said.
The Martin Engineering story began during World War II when Edwin F. Peterson developed the Vibrolator, a compact ball vibrator. In September 1944, with the backing of investor Charles H. Waller, Peterson and friend Jim Martin founded the business. Edwin felt ‘Martin’ had better name recognition than ‘Peterson.’ The Vibrolator entered production, was patented in 1949 and is still in use 80 years later. It was the first in a long line of product innovations introduced by Martin to solve problems in bulk materials handling.
Edwin’s son, Edwin “Ed” H. Peterson, placed his personal stamp on the company in the 1970s, implementing bold plans for worldwide growth to accelerate Edwin’s legacy of developing innovative products to solve problems in bulk materials handling. Martin continued to expand both organically and through acquisition, taking the business into new corners of the globe.
Meanwhile, the development of high-performance components for conveyors catapulted Martin Engineering into a new market-leading position with a comprehensive line of belt cleaners, dust-control products, transfer-point solutions and other patented innovations to improve safety, efficiency and productivity.
With patents and established distributors and licensees for their products in a rapidly expanding network of countries, Martin Engineering turned its attention to the knowledge and skills of workers responsible for operating and maintaining processing plants to help them improve safety and productivity.
That gave rise to major investment in education and training for Martin customers – a defining moment which led to the development of the firm’s internationally recognized Foundations series of reference books and training programs. First published in 1991, more than 22,000 print copies of the books are now in circulation around the world.
Today, Martin Engineering employs more than 1,000 people worldwide in offices and factory facilities across six continents. The business has a network of partners and distributors that gives Martin an enviable global footprint, most recently across Africa, the Middle East and southeast Asia. Yet, despite its global presence, Martin remains family-owned – Ed Peterson is still the chairman, and the company’s culture is one of strong family values and a spirit of ‘better together.’
