In November 2017, Vortex celebrated 40 years of designing and manufacturing slide gates, diverter valves, iris diaphragms and loading spouts for use in gravity flow, dilute phase and dense phase pneumatic conveying applications.
Vortex was founded in 1977 by Loren Neil Peterson and his son-in-law, Lee Young. The company was established with its patented Vortex Orifice Gate – the first valve designed specifically for handling dry bulk solid materials. Since then, Vortex has established more than 20 innovative valve designs which are being used by more than 20,000 factories in 80 countries to handle thousands of material types. Vortex has continued to grow and establish itself as the leader in dry bulk material handling components – much has changed at Vortex in 40 years.
Vortex Quantum Series
The traditional line of Vortex components, the Quantum Series features slide gates and diverter valves that have been used for decades to shut off, meter and divert the flow of dry bulk material.
The Vortex Quantum Series is intended for non-abrasive to minimally-abrasive powders, pellets and granules. All Quantum Series components are ATEX-certified, and can be designed for food-grade compliance.
Vortex Titan Series
Today, the Vortex Titan Series has established itself as the fastest-growing product line in the Vortex portfolio – largely due to rapid growth in the industrial sand and cement industries, among others. Founded in 2011, the Vortex Titan Series features slide gates and diverter valves used in applications that pose excessive wear and abrasion concerns, require extremely large valve sizes, or where special considerations are necessary to ensure a valve’s success in especially harsh environments.
Vortex Loading Solutions
In February 2013, Vortex acquired PMC Unlimited to add loading spouts to its product offerings. The product line has proven to be a rapidly growing asset to the Vortex portfolio, with Vortex loading spouts now installed on six continents. In spring 2017, Vortex loading spouts gained Zone 20 (internal) and Zone 21 (external) ATEX certification, making them suitable for use in almost any hazardous or non-hazardous environment.
The Vortex loading spout design differs from market alternatives because it is specifically designed for dust collection and containment. By ensuring dust-free loading environments, Vortex is assisting customers to comply with ever-increasing pressures from health and safety organizations worldwide.
Company Awards
These product lines have earned Vortex many recognitions, including:
- 1980 Chemical Processing Vaaler Award: Orifice Gate
- 1996 Powder/Bulk Solids Innovation in Powder/Bulk Technology Award: Flex Tube Diverter
- 1997 Kansas Society of Professional Engineers Governor’s New Product Award
- 1999 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year: Lee Young• 2001 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Best in Show Award: Seal Tite Diverter
- 2001 Chemical Processing Vaaler Award: Seal Tite Diverter
- 2001 Processing Magazine Breakthrough Product of the Year: Seal Tite Diverter
- 2002 Chemical Equipment Magazine Reader’s Choice Award: Seal Tite Diverter
- 2003 Powder Bulk Engineering Reader’s Choice Award: Three-Way Seal Tite Diverter
- 2006 Powder Bulk Engineering Reader’s Choice Award: HDP Gate
- 2006 Processing Magazine Breakthrough Product of the Year: HDP Gate
- 2006 Webby Award• 2007 Kansas Business Achievement Award
- 2007 Powder Bulk Engineering Reader’s Choice Award: Quantum Orifice Gate
- 2008 Kansas Governor’s Exporter of the Year
- 2008 Wichita Business Journal Best in Business Award
- 2009 Powder Bulk Engineering Reader’s Choice Award
- 2009 Processing Magazine Breakthrough Product of the Year: Four-Way Wye Line Diverter
- 2013 Processing Magazine Breakthrough Product of the Year: Quick Clean Orifice Gate
- 2014 Processing Magazine Breakthrough Product of the Year: TPV Gate
- 2015 Processing Magazine Breakthrough Product of the Year: Loading Spout
- 2016 COPE Plastics recycling award
- 2016 Processing Magazine Breakthrough Product of the Year: Pivoting Chute Diverter
- 2017 SHAPA Company of the Year
- 2017 MHEA Supplier of the Year
Expansion of Corporate Headquarters
In October 2014, Vortex completed a 64,000 square foot expansion of its corporate headquarters in Salina, Kansas, USA. The expansion grew Vortex’s facility to a total of 185,000 square feet. The project added approximately 48,000 square feet to the manufacturing floor and 16,000 square feet to the office annex. These resources were expanded to accommodate growing customer demands for production, to bring loading spout production in-house, and to provide space for the company’s employee group.
Vortex UK Office Celebrates a Decade of Service
In 2006, Vortex opened an international office in Darlington, UK, to establish business activities in African, Asian, and European markets.
When the UK office was opened, it had only a handful of customers – which led to many obstacles in establishing business. Despite this, the company knew it could find its niche in new markets if they could assist customers with specific processing problems, while also delivering excellent service and response. Since then, the UK office has persevered by staying true to that mission and continues to thrive as Vortex’s international beacon.
Establishing a Global Presence
Using expert knowledge and premier product design, Vortex has thrived on its commitment to providing global process solutions through localized customer relationships. The company has reinforced this mission by establishing the Vortex global service network. These agents have expanded Vortex services to reach more than 57 countries.
