Intelligent Conveyor Technology for the Industry of Tomorrow
Interview with Appal Chintapalli, Managing Director and Sarah Glatz, Senior Director Conveyor Business, as well as Sven Worm, Vice President New Markets at montratec GmbH
Montratec GmbH from Dauchingen develops smart intralogistics solutions for demanding industries such as semiconductor, battery, or medical technology. With the transfer system montrac® and the strategic support of the parent company Columbus Mc Kinnon, henceforth called CMCO, the company is pursuing ambitious growth targets. The discussion with Appal Chintapalli, Sven Worm, and Sarah Glatz revolves around markets, modules, and the future of movement in the production process.
Efficiency, flexibility, and a unique technology concept – these are the cornerstones of montratec GmbH. The company has established itself on the international market with its intelligent transfer system brand montrac®, especially in industries requiring the highest standards of precision and cleanliness. Since being acquired by the American Columbus McKinnon Corporation (CMCO) in 2023, montratec has additionally benefited from a global infrastructure and a strong partner network. "The combination of our innovation power and the worldwide presence of CMCO gives us the opportunity to access new markets and at the same time expand our technological leadership," says Appal Chintapalli.
From a Flexible Solution to a Global Systems Provider
The success story of montratec began in the early 2000s with a focus on automated intralogistics – initially mainly for the automotive industry. Since then, the company has developed significantly. "In the five years before the takeover, we grew by more than 35%," reports Sven Worm. Today, montratec is one of the sought-after specialists for modular conveyor systems – also in sensitive areas such as cleanrooms for semiconductor and battery production, and medical technology. The heart of the system is the shuttle: montrac® is an intelligent transfer system where autonomous shuttles move through a rail network only when needed.
This not only saves energy, but also increases efficiency. "Our system uses up to 95% less energy than conventional conveyors," emphasizes Sven Worm. "I like to compare it to a server cluster: if one shuttle fails, another takes over – this is how we ensure maximum availability." Unlike many competitors, montratec not only provides off-the-shelf solutions but also tailored systems. "Our customers do not receive standard products, but solutions that precisely match their processes," says Sarah Glatz. This is made possible by a seamless, modular concept: software, control, and mechanics interlock like a custom-made toolbox. Especially in industrial applications with short cycle times, this approach is crucial.
At automatica, montratec recently demonstrated a solution for faster retooling—a key lever to reduce downtime. Additionally, the company presented a combined application of montrac® and other conveyance systems from the CMCO portfolio. "We can now offer integrated total solutions—a clear competitive advantage," stressed Sarah Glatz. With about 150 employees and an annual revenue of 35 million EUR, montratec is today an agile medium-sized company with an international perspective. The team is considered the company's core strength: The workforce not only brings professional competence, but also actively shapes the further development of technology and organization. The company is characterized by flat hierarchies, technical excellence, and a strong team spirit.
The application fields range from aircraft construction, display production, chip manufacturing to intralogistics. The markets in Asia (excluding China) and North America are currently developing particularly dynamically. 'There we see enormous potential - not just in the semiconductor industry, but also due to the global trend towards electrification and automation,' says Appal Chintapalli. The acquisition by CMCO marked a strategic turning point for montratec. Previously, the company was private-equity owned – with a strong team but limited international reach. Joining the CMCO group, an over 150-year-old industrial company with over 1 billion USD in annual sales, brought access to global structures and new markets.
"CMCO not only brings capital and processes, but a real strategic understanding of industrial technologies," emphasizes Appal Chintapalli. At the same time, montratec becomes a main pillar within the CMCO group in the newly established Conveyance business field. Many customers now think holistically – from lifting, through internal transport, to process integration. montratec strategically closes a gap here. Politically, the company sees tailwind: The new federal government is again investing more in infrastructure and technology.
At the same time, market dynamics remain challenging: Global crises, inflation, and regulatory uncertainties dampen the investment willingness of many customers. Therefore, a clear strategic alignment is even more important. montratec pursues the clear goal of doubling itself technologically, geographically, and structurally. The path to this goal includes trade fair presence, innovation, and customer proximity. Customers today expect efficient complete solutions – this is precisely what the company is focused on with its forward-looking technology, as Appal Chintapalli, Sarah Glatz, and Sven Worm emphasize.