UTEC Industrial · Our Story
The Future of Material Handling
The next generation of material handling: breakthroughs in quality and speed. UTEC Industrial has been designing, engineering, machining and fabricating world-class systems since 1983.
The Next Generation of Material Handling
UTEC Industrial was born in 1983 of opportunity. The company was created to produce cost-effective, rapid production flanged steel alloy wheels for overhead bridge cranes and gantry cranes.
Thomas Best purchased the company in 1985, rapidly expanding UTEC's services to include contract engineering, fabrication and machining for material handling applications, serving customers large and small across aerospace and heavy industry.
Over the course of our 40 year history serving heavy industry in the Pacific Northwest and across the globe, UTEC has built unique material handling and systems automation solutions for customers ranging from RTX (Raytheon), Weyerhaeuser, Lockheed Martin, Keck Observatory, Maxar Technologies (Space Systems Loral) and countless others.
We are ready to design, build and deliver worldwide your custom complex, industrial grade manufacturing project. Fast. Smart. Reliable.
25k+
Parts and Wheels Manufactured
10M+
Cycles Average Machine Life
100+
Customers Served
World-Class Engineering and Fabrication
At our core, we prioritize our customers' satisfaction, ensuring they feel valued and deeply committed to their projects. Building meaningful connections, we treat every customer like a partner, going the extra mile to ensure successful results and delivering top-quality material handling and systems automation solutions.
Industrial Material Handling
Explore SolutionsCustom Engineering & Fabrication
Explore SolutionsCNC Machine Services
Explore SolutionsSteel Crane Wheels
Explore SolutionsCustom Software & PLC
Explore SolutionsHeat Treating & Annealing
Explore SolutionsCore Values
Our core values not only define us as a company but also reflect the essence of each individual within our organization.
Get Practical
We produce elegant designs for efficient, high-reliability real-world operations with low operating and maintenance costs.
Work Smarter
We constantly innovate, improve and challenge assumptions.
Collaborate
We partner closely with our customers, suppliers and industry service providers to deliver solutions.
Generations of Excellence
In the past forty years, UTEC has transformed from a CNC machining company into a contract manufacturing leader. Our success thrives on building trustful relationships with clients and suppliers, achieved through global expansion and service enhancement.
Since its inception in 1983, UTEC has been intertwined with America's evolution and growth. Through times of prosperity and challenges, we have played a pivotal role in building the material handling and systems automation equipment that move this great nation and the world. Today, we are driven by the potential to shape a brighter future for our company, customers, communities, and the planet at large.
1983
UTEC is founded by Peter Welk of Welk Brothers in Spokane, WA.
1985
Aerospace engineering and manufacturing veteran Thomas Best acquires UTEC.
1990s
UTEC expands and launches custom material handling design, engineering, machining and fabrication services.
2000s
UTEC adds motion control and programmable logic controller (PLC) custom software development to its service mix.
2010s
UTEC adds timber, lumber and raw materials handling and processing equipment to augment its aerospace capabilities.
2025
UTEC Metals, Inc. rebrands to UTEC Industrial, reflecting the expanded scope of material handling, systems automation, and machining capabilities.
From UTEC Metals to UTEC Industrial
In 2025, UTEC rebranded from UTEC Metals, Inc. to UTEC Industrial. The new operating name reflects the expanding scope of UTEC's material handling, systems automation, and machining capabilities — a business that has grown well beyond its 1983 origins as a producer of flanged steel crane wheels.
UTEC Metals, Inc. remains the legal entity behind UTEC Industrial; the operating name change does not alter the company's legal continuity, customer relationships, ownership, or contracts. Customers who knew the company as UTEC Metals continue to work with the same engineering team, the same Pacific Northwest manufacturing facility, and the same commitment to precision-machined alloy steel components and integrated material handling solutions.
"For 40 years, UTEC has been at the forefront of material handling innovation. Together, we're working to create productive, efficient and successful customer businesses that lead the industry — and help build and grow American manufacturing capability."
Ready to Work with UTEC?
Contact us to discuss your next material handling or systems automation project.
Get a Quote