Ritchie Industries, a livestock equipment manufacturer in Conrad, Iowa, implemented new sensor technology with guidance from CIRAS. The project improved production efficiency and led to $5,000 in annual labor savings, with plans for further expansion in 2025.
Company Overview
Ritchie Industries is a family-owned company based in Conrad, Iowa, with 70 employees. Since 1921, the company has manufactured high-quality farm equipment designed for watering livestock. Known for its durability and commitment to innovation, Ritchie products are trusted by farmers across the country.
Situation
Following a successful pilot project with CIRAS to monitor nitrogen tank levels, Ritchie Industries wanted a permanent solution to track and analyze data across three tanks. The goal was to streamline data collection and enhance production decision-making.
Solution
CIRAS smart manufacturing project manager Kirk Haaland worked closely with the company to define system requirements. One key priority was selecting a system that remained within the Banner Engineering product line—preferred by employees during the pilot. CIRAS developed a plan that included collaboration with Ramco, a distributor of Banner products.
Results
Ritchie Industries installed a Banner sensor kit and successfully integrated it into its production processes. The system now provides real-time tank-level data, enabling supervisors to make quicker, more informed decisions. The company estimates $5,000 in annual labor savings and has budgeted for additional sensor installations in 2025 to expand the technology to other areas of the factory.
“This project builds on what we learned during the initial pilot,” said Caleb McHenry, production supervisor at Ritchie Industries. “It’s exciting to see how this technology can grow with us and help improve more of our processes over time.”
CIRAS helps Iowa companies like Ritchie Industries explore and implement smart technologies through tailored, one-on-one support that aligns with each company’s goals and workforce preferences.
Contact Kirk Haaland to learn more.