From Distributor to America's Only Drum Motor Manufacturer: The Growth Story Behind TechRoll Manufacturing

Learn how Chief Operating Officer Drew Martin is helping scale innovation, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and support the next generation of industry leaders through RAMP.

Drew Martin has spent much of his career helping companies grow, adapt, and compete in increasingly complex global markets. As Chief Operating Officer of Conveyor Technology in Little Rock, Arkansas, he now finds himself leading one of the most unique manufacturing success stories in the country.

With more than a decade of experience spanning manufacturing, automotive, and telecommunications industries across the United States, Brazil, and Mexico, Martin brings a global perspective to his work. He holds an MBA from Texas A&M University and a bachelor's degree from Washington and Lee University. Having lived in São Paulo, Brazil for nearly a decade, he has seen firsthand how manufacturing industries evolve, compete, and innovate around the world. Those experiences continue to shape his vision for the future of American manufacturing.

Today, Martin is helping lead Conveyor Technology Manufacturing as it scales production as the only U.S.-based manufacturer of drum motors, a specialized component used in conveyor systems throughout food processing facilities, airports, distribution centers, and logistics operations. While the achievement is significant, the company's path to manufacturing was not part of a carefully crafted long-term strategy. It was born out of necessity, determination, and a willingness to take a risk when the future was uncertain.

Founded in 1994, the company originally operated as a distributor and service provider for drum motors. For nearly three decades, the business built its reputation by supplying and repairing these critical components, particularly within the poultry industry. Unlike many competitors, Conveyor Technology was willing to repair motors that had failed in demanding production environments. The work was often messy and challenging, but it provided something invaluable: knowledge.

Over the years, Martin and his team developed a deep understanding of how drum motors functioned, why they failed, and what customers needed from the equipment they relied on every day. That expertise became one of the company's greatest assets.

"We've been doing this for thirty years," Martin explained. "We know what makes these motors break. We know the problems our customers face. We know what works."

That knowledge would prove critical when the company faced one of the biggest challenges in its history. As Conveyor Technology continued to grow, its primary manufacturing partner made the decision to sell directly to customers rather than through distributors. For many businesses, losing a key supplier could have been devastating. The company suddenly found itself at a crossroads.

"It was either build them ourselves or hang up our boots and go home," Martin recalled. "We decided we're going to build these things ourselves."

Rather than viewing the situation as a setback, Martin saw an opportunity. The team already understood the product, the customers, and the industry. What they needed to do was transform decades of expertise into a manufacturing operation of their own.

In the fall of 2024, Conveyor Technology officially began producing its own drum motors. The transition marked a defining moment in the company's history and represented far more than a new business line. It was a commitment to investing in domestic manufacturing and proving that highly specialized products could be built competitively in the United States.

The results have been remarkable. Since launching manufacturing operations, the company has shipped hundreds of drum motors while rapidly increasing production capacity. Monthly production goals have continued to rise as demand grows and operations expand. At the same time, the company's workforce has more than doubled. What was once a team of fewer than twenty employees has grown to more than forty-five, with additional hiring expected as production continues to scale.

For Martin, however, manufacturing success is not measured solely by production numbers. He believes the future of the industry depends on people just as much as processes.

Many manufacturing leaders come from technical or engineering backgrounds. They understand systems, machinery, and efficiency. Yet Martin believes some of the most important opportunities for growth come from creating environments where employees feel empowered to contribute ideas and solve problems.

"If the guy on top of a small manufacturing firm is the only one innovating, you're done," he said. "You're never going to get there."

That philosophy has become a central part of Conveyor Technology's culture. Martin believes the employees closest to production often have the clearest understanding of where improvements can be made.

"The guys out on the floor, the ones closest to how things are produced and made, are going to have better and more adaptable ideas than me sitting in this office all day," he said.

Creating a culture where those ideas are encouraged has become increasingly important as the company grows. It is also one of the reasons Martin values his involvement with the Reel Advanced Manufacturing Program (RAMP).

As both a participant and an industry partner, Martin brings a unique perspective to the program. While TechRoll serves as an example of manufacturing growth in action, he is quick to point out that his company is learning alongside everyone else. Through networking, mentorship, and collaboration with fellow manufacturers, RAMP provides opportunities to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and explore best practices that help businesses scale successfully.

For Martin, one of the most valuable aspects of the program is helping manufacturers identify the pieces they need to reach the next stage of growth. Whether that involves financing, workforce development, operational planning, or leadership development, he believes many companies already possess the expertise and determination needed to succeed.

"You have guys that have the know-how. They have the plan," Martin said. "They're just missing one piece. Helping some of these smaller companies get there and put those pieces together so they can double in size would be huge."

Looking ahead, Conveyor Technology has ambitious goals. The company plans to continue increasing production, expanding its workforce, and investing in new technologies. Among those innovations is active monitoring technology designed to provide real-time insights into drum motor performance, an advancement that could help improve reliability and efficiency across multiple industries.

Martin also sees tremendous opportunity beyond the company's current customer base. While drum motors are widely used throughout Europe, adoption in the United States remains relatively low. He believes that presents a significant opportunity for growth across industries ranging from food production and logistics to airports, distribution centers, bakeries, dairy facilities, and countless other applications. Ultimately, Martin's vision extends beyond the success of a single company. He hopes TechRoll Manufacturing can demonstrate what is possible when American businesses invest in innovation, workforce development, and long-term growth.

"I hope our company is able to demonstrate that high-quality manufacturing can be done in the United States at a level that is competitive in the global market," he said.

That vision aligns closely with the mission of RAMP. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and leadership development, the program is helping strengthen the manufacturing ecosystem throughout Arkansas and beyond.

Conveyor Technology Manufacturing's journey from distributor to America's only drum motor manufacturer is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and belief in the future of domestic manufacturing. What began as a challenge that threatened the company's future became an opportunity to create jobs, expand capabilities, and build something entirely new. For Drew Martin, it is proof that with the right people, the right mindset, and a willingness to innovate, American manufacturing still has tremendous potential ahead.

To learn more about TechRoll Manufacturing and its products, visit: https://conveyortechnology.com/company/

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