Serving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that integrate its feeder systems into larger part-handling arrays, primarily for the medical industry, VTR Feeder Solutions of Grimsby, Ontario, is a forward-thinking company rooted in excellence. The company provides large individual clients with turnkey feeder systems tailored to meet their process demands to exacting standards. And as a trailblazer in its field, VTR boasts a design team driven by innovation.
Working with VTR Feeder Solutions means gaining a business partner for life. Collaborating with clients throughout the lifespan of their equipment—which can last over three decades in some cases—the company’s goal is to ensure that customers enjoy the same level of machine performance on the last day of operation as they did on the first day. In this way, VTR has earned a reputation as a customization expert known for fine craftsmanship. The result is long-lasting relationships and seamless customer operations.
“We really don’t have any true competitors in North America. We invest a lot of money in research and development,” says Sales and Marketing Manager, Ana Karenina. As part of the company’s commitment to excellence, all equipment undergoes extensive testing. High-risk equipment, in particular, receives a minimum of eight hours of testing and debug per unit, often exceeding OEM standards. Afterward, an eight-hour run is performed before clients arrive on site, and another eight-hour run is conducted with clients onsite where clients sign acceptance documents, followed by a short documentation run just before shipping and turnkey installation of standalone units.
The result is a strong demand for the company’s high-precision products and expertise. In turn, VTR only introduces about two new clients each year to ensure it maintains its gold standard. Using SolidWorks software for design and machining, the company takes pride in fabricating components that are 100 percent identical to the prototype and previous system.
Founded in 1995 by President Tom Davies, VTR Feeder Solutions grew from a one-man operation into a thriving firm “by hiring people smarter than myself,” Davies notes. “We always hired people who were highly skilled and at the top of their game in their respective fields. That’s what caused the company to grow,” he continues, emphasizing the importance of hiring people who care about their work and their colleagues.
With guidance from his mentor, Klaus Woerner, Davies learned that reliability in feeder system repeatability and performance would be the key to the company’s success. This drive for continuous improvement has been the cornerstone of VTR’s legacy.
Over the years, this commitment to improvement has led to significant expansion. From machined bowls and linear feeders to flexible feeding systems, VTR evolved from an artisanal fabrication shop to a fully engineering-based operation, with CAD-generated accuracy underpinning all of its designs. The company has outgrown three facilities, and its fourth, the largest to date, continues this trend.
With substantial capital investments in research and development, the company is confident its feeder systems will continue to meet modern market demands. Additionally, VTR is improving preventative maintenance performance through advanced drive-unit monitoring technology. This innovation will enable customers to replace springs and coils before they fail, preventing unnecessary downtime in customer operations. “Downtime costs money, and we don’t want our customers losing any profits,” says Karenina.
Today, VTR’s mission embraces modern technology, providing parts security to partners in industries where preventative maintenance and high-stakes uptime are essential. The company continues to supply clients with trustworthy parts on short notice, which can be installed by almost anyone with basic tools and an understanding of the machines.
“Tom has always said that… the products customers receive are going to work together for life. We get it on our shop floor for 25 to 50 weeks; they get it on their shop floor for 25 to 50 years,” says Jim Hills, Chief Executive Officer. “And we work with them all the way through.” VTR’s range of feeders—from single- to multi-lane and flexi feeders—simplifies integration for automated equipment builders. Additionally, the company offers robot and vision programming to further streamline the integration process.
Primarily serving the medical industry, VTR’s approach alleviates the pressure of flying specialist technicians to client facilities, where they would work against time to minimize downtime. It also ensures a cleaner repair and replacement process, as VTR leverages simplified sophistication in all its designs. “Now, they can just use a screwdriver, unbolt a couple of fasteners, pop in the new piece, and fire it up without any retuning or fine alignment requirements,” Karenina explains, noting that the company takes great pride in its repeat business.
While its feeders are designed to be easily serviced in the field, VTR still offers an extra layer of security with a field team available 24/7. This ensures its customers can run their operations three shifts a day, both in North America and abroad. The team has been known to dispatch service technicians to client sites as early as 2 a.m.
VTR employs industry professionals who understand how to transform their collective expertise into premium products. As a result, the company’s culture is as human-oriented as its technologies are systems-oriented. “Our culture is to enhance life. That’s our mission,” says Hills, emphasizing the importance of creating a supportive environment for both staff and customers. “We pride ourselves on the people who are here. Without the people who run it, we’re nothing.”
The company’s care for its people is more than just words. VTR actively supports industry-related continued education, and staff are typically reimbursed for courses. The team is close-knit, with a family atmosphere that extends beyond work. Staff often become good friends both on and off the job, helping each other out at work and in life. Whether facing an engineering challenge or a flat tire, the team pulls together to solve the problem.
Hills shares that most employees have stories of how VTR stepped in to support them during times of personal crisis. “There are 86 people in this company, and aside from those who have worked here only about six months, everyone has a story of how VTR has been there for them… and supported them.” Although not a family business, the company’s culture revolves around a family ethos. “It’s an incredible place to work,” he adds.
Looking to remain at the forefront of the industry, VTR continues to invest heavily in new feeder technologies. The company is also expanding its capacity to handle the growing volume of work passing through its facility. Linear feeding systems currently represent the largest portion of its work, and this line is expected to grow further in the coming years.
Additionally, VTR is expanding its machining and design capabilities. A small subsidiary in Florida continues to grow its machining and assembly capabilities for small cell feeding systems. Back in Ontario, VTR is expanding its service and sales divisions, along with machining capabilities such as routing plastics, laser cutting, and more. “We’re starting to do some outside manufacturing for people as we grow the business,” says Davies.
Looking ahead, the company’s 2026 projects will stimulate further growth through a return to small feeding cells in Canada and the U.S., bringing the total number of income sources to three, alongside supplying large medical fabricators and private clients. By continuously helping customers scale their operations while minimizing risks and maintaining quality, VTR Feeder Solutions is poised for a bright future. “We are committed to our customers for the life cycle of the products [and beyond],” confirms Hills.
