Founder Mark Mitchell has teamed up with the Canadian company iGrip to be the U.S. distributor of the newest tread stud on the market.

iGrip specializes in screw-on studs designed and fabricated for ice, rough and slippery terrain, construction and more.

“iGrip stands out for its superior quality,” said Mitchell, who started his air compressor and specialty industrial fluids and lubricant business about 10 years ago.

He explained its reputation is due to the shouldered design, as it’s more secure, reliable and easier to install.

COMPANY FOUNDER MARK Mitchell has had MM Industrial Sales LLC at 1133 S. Carpenter Ave. in Kingsford since 2016. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“Having that shoulder makes it so much stronger — it doesn’t break off like many others,” he said, adding that iGrip Industries received its patent for the new type of stud in 2021.

Mitchell said another advantage of this innovative and unique design is it prevents them from getting imbedded deep into the rubber on heavy equipment.

The studs are made of tempered and galvanized steel that are fitted with tungsten carbide tips. “They are hard, making them resistance to wear and last longer,” he said. “You don’t want to walk into the house with these studs on your boots.”

More than 30 styles are offered in a wide range of sizes. “They go from very small for footwear to larger products used on heavy industrial equipment,” Mitchell said. “These can be adapted to all types of vehicles for any task — perfect for the industrial sectors like mining, forestry and construction.”

These specialty devices can also be useful for farming equipment, light excavating machinery and recreation such as ATV/UTVs, snowmobiles, fat bike tires and even running shoes.

MM Industrial Sales will work with the companies to find whatever style and size fits their needs.

Mitchell has already introduced the studs to several local and Midwest companies and said he has received a positive response. “They plan to keep them in year-round — it’s not only the snow they have to deal with, it’s also muddy conditions,” he said.

Using a stud can be very cost-effective for a company, compared with having to purchase a set of chains that can cost up to $26,000 for heavy equipment.

iGrip has also designed and replicated screwable studs for a locally based contractor.

All studs come with the drive tool, which is specifically designed to install and remove each type of stud.

They can also be reused annually, which is another cost saver.

“It is very price-positive for the U.S. market,” Mitchell said.

The U.S. sales manager is currently working with several companies across the states to become iGrip distributors, and has already secured several vendors in the Midwest.

He hopes to make them available to members of the local community as well.

Mitchell noted that his initial contact with company owner Patrick Lemay was to focus on sales in the Midwest region. However, Lemay saw the connections he has made with customers for more than 35 years, and convinced Mitchell to take on distribution for the entire U.S.

“Orders are already coming in — it’s a moving fast journey and it just started,” he said.

The new product was also featured in the Great Lakes Timber Association magazine.

Future plans include opening a separate iGrip USA facility in the area. “Hopefully within the next year and a half we will become a local manufacturer of iGrip studs,” he said.

MM Industries will also take over sales for the U.S. market for Uroll, which is owned by the same Canadian company. These custom-made conveyor rollers are manufactured to have special qualities to be easily used on industrial job sites.

The rollers are sought after for their anti-blocking extremities, being corrosion and abrasion resistant, versatility and assisting to increase conveyor belt life.

“What is unique about them is they don’t freeze up during cold and wet weather conditions — all rollers on conveyor belts freeze up because of the moisture that gets inside,” he said, noting how much colder it is in Quebec.

The patented Uroll products are also energy and cost effective for companies.

“We are really excited about the future,” Mitchell said.

In May, MM Industries plans to make an announcement of another addition.

Mitchell started in sales right out of college, with 25 years in the compressed air industry.

He now is following in the footsteps of his grandfather Franklin Albee Flodin — one of the early leaders of Lake Shore Systems — by opening MM Industrial Sales.

“I really enjoy dealing with customers and making those connections,” the Kingsford High School graduate said.

MM Industries is an official distributor of Chicago Pneumatic and ELGi Air Compressors and Pneumatech Compressed Air Treatment Systems.

They provide a complete line of hydraulic and air compressor lubricants for local as well as Midwest companies. In addition, they offer air filters, auto drains, oil-water separators, control valves, nitrogen and oxygen generators and airnet piping.

He credits a lot of his success in the compressed air industry to his service manager John Fields, who has 38 years of compressor repair experience. Mitchell plans to eventually phase out of the compressed air industry, as Fields is looking to retire.

MM Industrial Sales will continue with its industrial lubricants and fluids, offering about 188 different types of specialty products. “The fluids and iGrips work really well together — they are both consumable products, as an air compressor can lasts about 20 to 25 years,” Mitchell said.

Rounding out the three-person team is Administrative Assistant Lauren Gustafson, who is responsible for back office and administrative duties.

MM Industrial Sales has been at 1133 S. Carpenter Ave., which is the former Neargarth building, in Kingsford since 2016. Mitchell can be reached at 844-442-6977.