Semi-Bulk Systems, Inc. was founded by Avrom R. Handleman and Charles S. Alack in 1975. Mr. Alack was with Monsanto for 11 years and worked in Manufacturing, Central Engineering, Specialty Chemical Sales, Commercial Development and Product Marketing. Mr. Handleman was with Monsanto for 20 years and worked in Research, Commercial Development and as Market Manager for the Wildfire Chemical Business. It was in the development of the Wildfire Chemical Business that Mr. Handleman developed and patented the initial Ejector Mixer Slurry Unit and the precursor to the Air-Pallet® Container. The development of the Ejector Mixer and the shipping container with the air membrane in the base made it possible for Monsanto to offer a fire retardant chemical in the form of a dry powder and rapidly convert the powder into a solution to be pumped aboard airplanes to bomb forest fires [see pictures] and minimize the impact on the environment. This technology continues to be the primary process support for fighting forest fires.

The company’s products have always strongly supported industries’ initiatives to develop sustainable processes.  From the support of the wildfire chemical business for fighting wildfires around the world, to providing the industrial and food process industries with process solutions to reduce energy consumption and provide major Process XstreamLining^sm benefits, the company’s technology and process solutions continue to provide opportunities to allow customers to improve their product quality, meet capacities and achieve lowest cost production while meeting or exceeding their sustainable objectives.

Mr. Handleman retired from Semi-Bulk Systems in 1996. In 1995, the Sanitary Division (food, dairy, beverage, cosmetic and pharmaceutical) was founded, and Mr. Ronald H. Bentley named Director of the new division. Although systems were previously sold for such processes, the company began to focus on hygienic processes for dry powder handling and powder/liquid mixing. To support and promote the VACUCAM® Slurry Process Technology, many new products were developed to meet the requirements for hygienic processes and to meet the requirements for Conditioned Powder feed including: bulk bag unload stations, bulk bag unloaders with surge bins, hygienic design Air-Cone® Hoppers and many new modular processes.

VACUCAM® (VACUUM Convey and Mix) Slurry Processes have expanded to offer both the food and industrial markets the state-of-the-art technology for mixing powders and liquids.