Dec. 15, 2021 | Lauren LeBel
llebel@thereminder.com
A still photo of Belt Technologies from the episode set to air on “World’s Greatest.”
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
AGAWAM – Belt Technologies Inc. was featured among the “World’s Greatest” manufacturers in a recent television program.
Belt Technologies, at 11 Bowles Rd., Agawam, has manufactured custom metal belt conveyors for more than five decades.
In August, Florida-based How2Media visited Belt Technologies to film the manufacturing process for an episode of “World’s Greatest” on Bloomberg Television. The show is in its 15th season, and investigates the companies behind products people use on a daily basis.
Denis Gagnon, Belt Technologies owner and CEO, said the “World’s Greatest” producer called him after finding out about the company online. He said he believes the show was attracted to Belt Technologies based on its “unique work” with “thin” and “very delicate to work with metal.”
Gagnon went on to say that the company makes metal conveyor belts less than a meter wide and less than a millimeter thick. He described this intricate metal as Belt’s “sweet spot.” He added, “It takes a lot of practice and experience. There’s a lot of engineering behind it.”
Over the few days of filming, Gagnon said the cameras captured eight hours of video. Gagnon was interviewed, along with Alan Wosky, Belt Technologies’ president.
“They asked what makes us the world’s greatest,” said Gagnon. He summarized his response: “Nobody can weld a steel metal band as well as we can.”
The filming crew shot various stages of production at Belt Technologies. Gagnon said they got “good visuals” of the manufacturing process.
In the end, the eight hours of filming was edited down to a four-minute clip.
“It’s great to have recognition and pride of our employees,” added Gagnon.
From the engineers to the operators, Gagnon described his team as “key components” in the overall production. Belt Technologies employs 44 people in Agawam. The company hopes to hire more employees in the current competitive job market, and Gagnon said this “recognition is critical” because in the present economy, “it’s hard to find good people.” He said he also believes in rewarding his team collectively from within.
Each month, Belt Technologies produces between 20,000 to 30,000 belts, of varying sizes. It sells its products to manufacturers in a variety of industries around the world, including companies in the semiconductor, food processing, automation and robotics sectors.
“Working with our customers to create a unique, customized solution is crucial to our process, and we’re proud to show how we are one of the world’s greatest with our custom metal belts,” said Gagnon.
The episode aired on Bloomberg Television earlier this month. Gagnon said the clip will soon be available on Belt’s website at belttechnologies.com. The full episode can also be viewed on the “World’s Greatest” website at www.how2mediaproductions.com. The episode is number 312.
Share this:
