Belt Tech Industries Opens Du Quoin Facility

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[A Washington, Ind. company called Belt Tech Industries has reached agreement to lease the Heartland Ford dealership building on Rt. 51 south.

Manager Joe Folden said he and Richie Owings--Pinckneyville residents--will serve mining, barge line, rock quarry and grain industries throughout the midwest with high quality conveyor and belt systems and the repair of existing systems.

He said Belt Tech Industries is in the middle of a contract to provide coal conveyor and belting systems to the mines which will feed the new Prairie State Energy campus in Southern Illinois.

Folden said he left one of Belt Tech's competitors to sign on with this industry leader and adds that the shop in Du Quoin is a good fit for industry in all of Southern Illinois.

"We specialize in conveyor systems, belt idlers and pulleys and power transmissions for those systems," said Folden.

The company has been in business for 20 years and saw a need for a new facility in Southern Illinois.

The front offices will be used as sales and business offices. The back shop will be used for belt and conveyor system repairs and construction of components for new systems.

He said the company has contracts as far north as Springfield.

He said all of the company's belting and components are made in the United States and with the resurgence of coal, the company has a certain future.

The company will have six employees at the outset and Folden hopes to grow the business to between 15 and 18 people over time.

Any industry in the midwest that has conveyor service needs can reach Belt Tech Industries in Du Quoin at 542-5090.