Conveyor chain drives products through assembly lines, transfers loads between workstations, and powers sorting systems across a wide range of industries. Unlike belts, chains handle heavier loads, withstand elevated temperatures, and deliver a longer service life in demanding environments. The right chain keeps production moving. The wrong chain results in unplanned downtime, premature wear, and costly replacements.
Supplier selection involves more than price comparison. Chain size, material, attachment configurations, and lead times all influence whether a product suits the application. Some suppliers concentrate on standard roller chains. Others specialize in custom configurations for specific industries. This list covers eight conveyor chain suppliers, detailing what each offers and the markets they serve.
1. Tsubaki
Tsubaki ranks among the largest chain manufacturers globally. The company produces roller chains, attachment chains, and specialty conveyor chains for industries spanning food processing to automotive. Manufacturing operations are based in Japan, the United States, and Europe.
Tsubaki offers standard ANSI and ISO roller chains in carbon steel, stainless steel, and corrosion-resistant finishes. The company also produces chains with attachments engineered for carrying, pushing, or gripping products. Their engineering team provides support for buyers designing custom conveyor systems.
2. Ultimation Industries
Ultimation Industries supplies overhead conveyor chains for Jervis Webb enclosed track and I-beam systems. The company stocks Unibilt chain for enclosed track applications and rivetless chain for Unibeam I-beam conveyors.
Ultimation also designs, builds, and installs chain-driven live roller (CDLR) conveyor as complete systems for moving heavy or irregular loads. CDLR systems use a chain to power the rollers, delivering greater torque than belt-driven.
The company serves automotive manufacturers, warehousing, packing, and e-commerce fulfillment, along with smaller operations sourcing individual components. Ultimation maintains warehouse inventory for quick shipment, reducing lead times compared to suppliers manufacturing to order.
3. Rexnord
Rexnord manufactures conveyor chains for heavy industrial environments. The company produces standard roller chains, engineered chains, and specialty products for the cement, mining, and wood products industries. The Rexnord chain is rated for high loads, abrasive materials, and extreme operating temperatures.
The company offers an attachment chain with custom flights, pushers, and carrying surfaces. Rexnord distributes through industrial supply channels and direct sales. Service centers provide chain inspection, repair, and replacement services.
4. Renold
Renold has manufactured chains since 1879. The company produces roller chain, leaf chain, and conveyor chain for industrial applications worldwide, operating plants in the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and the United States.
Renold offers standard ANSI and British Standard roller chain, along with specialty chain for high-temperature, corrosive, and food-grade environments. The company sells through distributors and direct channels, with regional warehouse stock supporting faster delivery.
5. iwis
iwis is a German manufacturer with an established presence in Europe and North America. The company produces precision roller chain, accumulation chain, and specialty conveyor chain. iwis products are specified in automotive assembly, packaging, and material handling systems.
The company offers chains with hardened pins and plates for extended wear life. iwis also manufactures maintenance-free chains with integrated lubrication, reducing service intervals in difficult-to-access installations.
6. Diamond Chain Company
Diamond Chain manufactures roller chain and attachment chain in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company offers standard ANSI roller chain in single, double, and multiple strand configurations, plus attachment chain with various tab styles, extended pins, and specialty plates.
Diamond distributes through industrial distributors nationwide. Standard products ship from warehouse stock, with custom manufacturing available for non-standard specifications.
7. USA Roller Chain & Sprockets
USA Roller Chain & Sprockets operates as a multi-brand distributor rather than a manufacturer. The company stocks roller chain, attachment chain, and specialty chain across a broad application range, giving buyers access to multiple brands and price points from a single source.
The company maintains substantial warehouse inventory with same-day shipping on many standard items. Custom attachment chain with configured tabs, extended pins, and specialty materials is also available.
8. Peer Chain
Peer Chain manufactures roller chain and attachment chain domestically, with production facilities in Indiana. The company produces standard ANSI chain, agricultural chain, and specialty conveyor products.
Peer offers attachment chains in standard and custom configurations, including K-1, K-2, A-1, and other common attachment styles. The company also manufactures food processing chains in stainless steel and FDA-compliant materials. Peer maintains OEM relationships and provides engineering support for custom conveyor system design.
Matching Chain to Application
Conveyor chain selection depends on what the system needs to accomplish. Roller chain suits most general conveying where products ride on a belt or directly on rollers powered by the chain. Attachment chain adds carrying surfaces, pushers, or dogs that move products through specific operations.
CDLR conveyors use chains to drive the rollers beneath heavy loads like pallets, drums, or loaded totes. These systems handle weights that would stall or damage belt-driven alternatives. Accumulation conveyors use chains designed to slip or disengage when products queue, preventing pile-ups and reducing drive strain.
Food and pharmaceutical applications typically require stainless steel or an FDA-compliant chain that withstands frequent washdowns without corroding. High-temperature environments like curing ovens or foundries demand chains rated for thermal expansion and lubricant breakdown.
Matching chains to the application from the start prevents premature failures and avoids the cost of replacing an undersized or incompatible product mid-operation.
Conclusion
Conveyor chains are fundamental to material handling in manufacturing, distribution, and processing operations. The eight suppliers listed here cover applications from standard roller chain to custom-engineered attachment chain for demanding environments. Evaluating chain type, load ratings, material specifications, and supplier lead times before purchasing supports long-term system reliability and minimizes unplanned downtime.
