We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • ProMat 2023
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • ProMat 2023
    • Upload Your Video
Home » In Person Interview: Ole Rygh of Ryson International
In Person

In Person Interview: Ole Rygh of Ryson International

In our continuing series of discussions with top supply-chain company executives, Ole Rygh of Ryson discusses the material handling market and emerging uses for vertical conveyor technology.

Ole Rygh
April 13, 2021
David Maloney
No Comments

Ole Rygh is the founder and CEO of Ryson International Inc. Headquartered in Yorktown, Virginia, Ryson specializes in vertical conveying solutions and features spiral conveyors among its key products.

While his company has been in business for 25 years, Rygh has worked in the material handling and packaging sectors for almost 50 years as a mechanical engineer and industry executive. He was the president of Munck Systems during the pioneering days of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) and automated guided vehicle (AGV) development. Rygh also was president of IDAB International Inc., a global company specializing in material handling systems for the newspaper industry.

Rygh has served on the board of directors of several industry associations, including MHI and the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute.

Q: How do you view the state of the material handling market and the market for spiral conveyors in particular?

A: The material handling market is currently very strong and shows no sign of slowing down in the near future. The same goes for the spiral conveyor market. Last year was a record year for Ryson despite the pandemic. We were designated a critical essential business as defined by the Department of Homeland Security, and we were in full production throughout the year.

Q: Your original training was as an engineer. How does that background help you in managing a material handling equipment company?

A: My engineering background has helped me to find solutions that will improve our customers’ operations and be of benefit to them. It has also helped me to better evaluate future business opportunities.

Q: Has the e-commerce boom boosted demand for spiral conveying systems?

A: Part of our growth comes from the e-commerce market segment, including order fulfillment centers, e-commerce warehousing, and omnichannel distribution operations. We have developed a line of spiral conveyors that are especially well-suited for this market. This includes our new High-Capacity Spirals that have twice the weight capacity of our regular spirals at speeds of up to 200 feet per minute and can reach heights of up to 35 feet with only one drive.

Q: Are there particular markets that you see emerging for spiral conveyors?

A: The nice part of our business is that spiral conveyors can be used in many different industries and applications. Our product development program is focused on expanding our product lines to also serve market segments that handle very small products at high speed and markets that convey large and heavy products.

Q: Do you see autonomous mobile robots as a threat to conveyors or do you see ways in which the technologies can coexist?

A: I would say that our spiral conveyors co-exist well with new technologies that support automation, such as autonomous mobile robots. Today, our customers are looking to operate faster and with fewer people. They also like to acquire products with a low total cost of ownership.

Q: With distributors looking for facilities in urban areas, there is a need for multistory sites with smaller footprints. Does that increase demand for spiral conveyors to move between levels?

A: We are seeing an increased demand for spiral conveyors in multilevel distribution centers. We have developed spirals that allow products to enter or exit the spiral at multiple vertical elevations within one small footprint. The Ryson induction and divert-out conveyors feature individually adjustable conveying surfaces to match the spiral pitch, assuring safe and reliable product transfer.

Q: You have long been involved with industry associations. Why is that important to you?

A: Being involved with industry associations gives me inspiration and the opportunity to work with many talented people of different backgrounds and with lots of experience. It is also a very good feeling to be able to give something back to our industry.

Material Handling Storage Internal Movement Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems Conveyors AS/RS/Shuttles
KEYWORDS Ryson
    • Related Articles

      In Person interview: Derek Lester of Intralox

      In Person interview: Gary Cash of Matthews Automation Solutions

      In Person interview: Alex Stevens of Opex

    Davidmaloney
    David Maloney has been a journalist for more than 35 years and is currently the group editorial director for DC Velocity and Supply Chain Quarterly magazines. In this role, he is responsible for the editorial content of both brands of Agile Business Media. Dave joined DC Velocity in April of 2004. Prior to that, he was a senior editor for Modern Materials Handling magazine. Dave also has extensive experience as a broadcast journalist. Before writing for supply chain publications, he was a journalist, television producer and director in Pittsburgh. Dave combines a background of reporting on logistics with his video production experience to bring new opportunities to DC Velocity readers, including web videos highlighting top distribution and logistics facilities, webcasts and other cross-media projects. He continues to live and work in the Pittsburgh area.

    Recent Articles by David Maloney

    The heat is on: interview with Pamela Barclay

    Is right-to-repair right for us?

    In Person: Dean Portney of Hawker Powersource

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • Union Pacific agrees to provide more predictable schedules for union rail workers

    • Schneider National opens innovation center at Wisconsin headquarters

    • DHL Supply Chain will expand Locus Robotics fleet to 5,000 AMRs

    • Trucking companies face “modestly unfavorable” outlook heading into 2024

    • E-commerce 3PL gains $100 million funding for its network of Mexican warehouses

    Now Playing on DCV-TV

    B0d646ac 1d71 44f7 9c47 80a0858638b7

    Improve Overhead Access with Custom VRCs

    DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    Tackling high-reach storage challenges is easy with Autoquip Lifts. We offer a wide variety of design features for Vertical Reciprocating Conveyors, or VRCs, to safely transfer materials from multiple levels based on the client’s specific needs. Don’t know where to start? We can create the perfect hydraulic or...

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • How to Use Economic Uncertainty to Gain Competitive Ground with Automation

    • Exploring Customized Forklift Solutions

    • Exploring the Future of Labor Management With Capacity Planning

    • Three layers of forklift safety: Promoting operating best practices

    View More

    Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

    GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing