Ontario Food Cluster and the IFPT

Stretching from Toronto to Buffalo, NY, the so-called “Ontario Food Cluster” is a thriving agglomeration of some 3,200 food and beverage companies. Together they comprise Canada’s largest pool of agri-food talent, and the 2^nd largest in North America. With an innovative research climate and easy access to the global market, the Ontario Food Cluster has drawn some of the biggest names in the food industry. These companies have an estimated annual manufacturing revenue of $34 billion and employ 130,000 people directly in agri-food processing/manufacturing and wholesaling, along with another 483,000 workers in related sectors.

It is kind of hard to imagine the Ontario Food Cluster getting any more, but it just did. Recently the Cluster’s economic development executives attended the influential SIAL Brazil 2012 show to promote the new Conestoga College Institute of Food Processing Technology (IFPT). This innovative school was created in 2009 in partnership with the Alliance of Ontario Food Processors (AOFP) to allow for the development of a highly skilled workforce by providing education and training programs that meet the needs of the food and beverage industry. IFPT focuses on areas like food safety, food processing techniques, electronic instrumentation techniques, automation, robotics, packaging, and plant supervision. It is the perfect environment in which to learn the ins and outs of almost every aspect of the food and beverage manufacturing field. 

At Furnace Belt we find it especially good news that another generation is getting trained properly and effectively in the food processing and safety industry. Our belts are widely used throughout the companies in the “Food Cluster” and nothing is better than working hand in hand with fellow experts. If you want to learn more about IFPT you can visit their website

Belt Maintenance Is Your Friend!

When you buy a car, the dealership will let you know that you should come in for a check-up after a certain number of miles. While they totally believe in the quality of their product, they also know from experience that things need to be checked now and again to avoid major problems from forming.  The same goes for your conveyor belt. Nothing is worse than having a belt break in the middle of an important order. The lost time, money, and production will drive anyone to frustration (if not out of business). Though there is no magic bullet that lets you avoid mishaps completely, there is one way to limit them. At Furnace Belt, we believe that if you are consistent in performing belt maintenance through regular inspections and audits, your belts will last longer and run smoother. With that in mind, we put together the top five things to consider when doing belt maintenance:

1. Make sure your belt was made for your exact specifications. Don’t overshoot and try to get something too heavy for your needs. Belts have specific loading capacities and they must be respected.

2. Choose the proper alloy for the temperatures or application. For example, if you’re running at 2,000 degrees, you would use 314 stainless steel in building your belt; as opposed to using more standard galvanized steel. You can always ask one of our experts for help in finding the perfect belt for the appropriate temperature.

3. Keep up on the maintenance of the furnace itself. If your furnace is not running at the correct temperature, it will not only affect belt life, but your product quality as well.

4. Flip the belt from time to time. Give one side a rest in favor of the other. It’s a process that’s a little like rotating your crops in a field to insure overall health

5. Make sure that everything’s running true and straight.  Otherwise, your belt might be torn and if you process food that could mean disaster.

If you follow these steps, we believe you can not only maintain the life of your belt, but also ensure the safety of your workers and save money all at the same time.