Key Technology Opens Innovation and Solutions Center

Key Technology has announced the opening of its new customer visitor center, The Innovation and Solutions Center, in Walla Walla, WA. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to effectively demonstrate and test Key’s sorting, conveying, and processing solutions to food processors, both in-person and remotely, via a live video interface.

With multiple demo labs, the new 31,500-sq-ft-facility accommodates numerous customers simultaneously for equipment demonstrations, application tests, and training, which allows customers more flexibility in scheduling their visits. 

The Innovation and Solutions Center showcases several Key sorters including Optyx, Manta, Tegra, and Veo, as well as a variety of Key conveyors such as Horizon, Iso-Flo, and Impulse, in addition to non-Key equipment that helps simulate working production lines. The equipment is configured to create continuous processes that imitate the customer’s production environment more effectively than performing tests in batch mode, giving the customer a more accurate assessment of how the equipment will perform with his product in his plant.

The new center features a secured area that is dedicated to customer Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT). Here, upon request, the customer’s equipment is assembled and integrated and his product is run to verify the equipment operates according to his specifications prior to the line being shipped to his location.

“Our new Innovation and Solutions Center presents a very sophisticated, technology-based environment for demonstrating and testing our solutions based on each customer’s exact requirements, and no competitor will be able to show the complete integration of technology that Key is globally known for,” said Randy Unterseher, senior director of marketing at Key Technology. “We designed the center with well-equipped visitor lounges and conference rooms that help maximize the customer’s productivity during their visit.”

A live video feed in the demo labs allows those unable to travel to Walla Walla to see the same demonstration or application test as those present.  This capability enables any team member – present and remote – to make observations and ask questions in real-time while their product is being run so changes to the demo or test can easily be made, if needed.

“Everything about our Innovation and Solutions Center was designed with our customers in mind.  We wanted to create a unique experience that shows our customers how dedicated we are to solving the challenges they present to us and maximizing the value we deliver,” said John Boutsikaris, senior vice president global sales and aftermarket at Key Technology. 

In addition to the demo labs, the new Innovation and Solutions Center will house Key’s customer-facing personnel, consolidating sales, marketing, and sales applications engineering activity in one facility. The new Innovations and Solutions Center is in addition to and compliments Key’s existing demonstration labs in China, Australia, and Mexico, and will allow for new job openings and employee expansion for the Walla Walla facility.

For more information, visit www.key.net.