Urschel Laboratories Inc., the world leader in the manufacturing and selling of food cutting machinery, produces over 40 different models of precision cutters. However, the Urschel name may be new to some processors in the tobacco industry as most of the projects that it works with processing companies and end users are confidential.

Since 1990, a growing number of global manufacturers in the tobacco industry depend on the size reduction machinery manufactured by Urschel such as the Comitrol Processor Model 1700, the Comitrol Processor Model 3600 and the Model CC Slicer to reduce tobacco stems to defined sizes.

The advantages of using Urschel equipment in this application are a higher yield of useable product due to a greater percentage of product within the customer’s required target size range and no or low heat generated (so product does not deteriorate). The equipment is simple to operate, robust, and reliable.

 

“My grandfather, William Urschel, officially founded the company in 1910” said Bob Urschel, the company’s president and c.e.o. “The company has always been an extension of our family. It was originally called the Urschel Gooseberry Snipper Factory, located at 158 Napoleon Street. Parts of the building are still in existence today. At first, the only employees were William and his wife, Ruth. Their house was next door, and, as William did not have any lighting in the shop, Ruth would pass a light bulb from her kitchen to the shop as needed,” he recalled.

“William’s passion was inventing. Innovation is something that has remained a driving force for this company. His creative spirit and ability to look at something from an all encompassing perspective have helped fuel the company’s ongoing success.”

Bob Urschel is the third generation of the Urschel family to be involved with the company, with 40 years of service under his belt.

“Our company has seen many changes in manufacturing processes and technology throughout the years,” he said. “We are proud to be celebrating a century in the food processing industry, and would like to thank all of our loyal employees and customers, and look forward to partnering with them for decades to come.” 

“My dad, Joe Urschel, and his brothers, Gerald and Kenneth Urschel, picked up where my grandfather left off in many ways,” recalled Dan Urschel, executive vice president of manufacturing and another third generation of the Urschel Family who has been with the company for 50 years.

“Their childhood was spent, unlike most kids, actually playing at my grandfather’s machine shop. No one was ever hurt, my dad said, and they learned all about machine tools, foundry patterns, and all facets of the manufacturing process. As adults, Joe and Gerald began working full time at Urschel. Among their many accomplishments, Joe is credited with developing and patenting the first slicer that used centrifugal force. This principle has been instrumental in the development of many Urschel machines.”

Commemorating a century in the manufacturing of precision food cutting equipment, Urschel Laboratories, Inc. continues its worldwide reputation for excellence by working in partnership with customers to meet the ever-changing challenges in the marketplace. Increases in productivity, new products, energy-saving machinery, and cleaner, more precise cuts, are just a few ways the engineers at Urschel have – and continue – to rise to the demands of this dynamic industry. 

 “One hundred years of being in business, especially a family-owned business, is pretty amazing,” according to Rick Urschel, a fourth-generation family member and vice president of operations who has been with the company for 13 years now.

“I’ve grown-up in this business, just like my dad and the previous Urschel generation. As fast as manufacturing technology changes, it can be hard to keep up with, and that’s why we continue to look into the best way to make different parts and machinery. A perfect example of this is the state-of-the-art foundry that we installed a few years ago. It is one of very few in the world, and we are able to be at the forefront of this new technology.” 

While other suppliers may take weeks to deliver needed parts, Urschel Laboratories delivers parts promptly. The company realizes customer concerns of the potentially high cost of lost production time and wasted product. With Urschel Laboratories, clients don’t have to wait for spares. Replacement parts for Urschel machines are shipped from an extensive multi-million dollar inventory in a matter of hours. 

“While the company has continued to grow in manufacturing technology, it has also successfully expanded its global sales,” said Tim O’Brien, vice president of sales who has been with Urschel for 20 years now.

“In the 1960’s, the company organized a sales force across the US. and established exclusive Urschel distributors in key locations around the world. In 1972, Urschel developed a stronger presence in the UK with the opening of Urschel International Ltd. in Leicester, England. Other Urschel International subsidiary offices throughout Europe soon followed,” O’Brien said.

“In 2004, Urschel effectively launched direct offices in Asia, beginning with Urschel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd. in Singapore. Other direct sales offices soon followed in China, Thailand, and India. A diverse international network of knowledgeable service and sales staff are key elements in the ongoing success of our company,” O’Brien concluded. 

Precision in manufacturing means that every cutting machine is carefully designed from the engineering drawings to close tolerances on interior cutting parts. Today, Urschel Laboratories manufactures more than 40 precision-engineered size reduction machines, including a wide range of slicers and dicers for hundreds of processing applications.

 “Coming up with new cutting solutions, and improving on current cutting methods is a vital part of our business.,” clarified Mike Jacko, vice president of engineering, who has been with Urschel for 24 years. “When I started with the company, I remember Joe [Urschel] and Gerald [Urschel] being granted many patents for different cutting processes. In their lifetimes, they were granted over 70 patents. The engineering department continues to employ valuable, talented engineers, and continues to be awarded patents in food cutting machinery.” 

“From the time that I started, twenty-some years ago, the number of employees and size of the plant has more than doubled in size,” added Dave Whitenack, Urschel plant manager. “A company that manufactures 99% of all parts in-house is very rare these days. Quality control is a major factor in the decision to keep things in-house. The average Urschel employee has worked here about 15 years, and the majority of the people that are hired also retire from here.” 

Urschel seeks to help customers’ businesses by manufacturing machinery that performs with precision and reliability. A global network comprised of Product Test Cutting Facilities, factory-trained service staff, and knowledgeable, hands-on sales representatives work together to fully assist customers.

A recent expansion of the Urschel Product Test Cutting Facility in Valparaiso, Indiana, U.S.A. enables Urschel to meet a growing number of customer requests. Urschel offers its customers a no-charge, no-obligation test cut of their application. Customers are welcome to view the test cutting of their product. A comprehensive report with photos and/or video can be compiled to fully assist customers in the evaluation process. 

And a visit to Urschel is not complete without a tour of the 235,000 sq. ft. factory including Urschel’s newest state-of-the-art foundry.