
Creating Custom Solutions for over 35 Years
Our story begins like a lot of family-owned businesses: In a small location as one person’s dream, and our dream started in 1983. Do you remember 1983? You could pick up a new Dodge Ram 50 for $5700, Mario Bros. debuted as a video game and leg warmers were the pique of fashion.
After getting out of the US Army, our co-founder, Orville Rinne, went to work as a salesman for Henry Filters in Ohio. While working there he met a man who was an engineer for a company we all know – SKF Bearings. They had just come up with a conveyor system that was going to revolutionize the industry. Orville and his son, Rhett, thought it was a great opportunity, and with that and their Midwestern work ethic they went to work selling some of the United States’ first FlexLink conveyor systems.
One Man's Dream, Born in a Garage
When the original integrator decided to leave SKF, FlexLink needed another integrator, and Flex-Line Automation, Inc. was born. It all started in Orville Rinne’s garage and shop. Orville’s son, Rhett, and his wife, Cathy, were on board from the start.
Flex-Line has remained a family business since, with employees like Rhett and Cathy’s daughter, Lauren, growing up in the business and becoming an integral part of our day-to-day operations.
We’re pretty proud of Flex-Line. We’ve poured ourselves into this company, and we love our work! We really get to know our clients and their needs, and we get to “save the day” a lot, thanks to creative thinking and industry knowledge and experience. At Flex-Line, we are all family, including our customers!



A History of Excellence
In 1987, four years after we started, we became an authorized FlexLink System Builder. This was when they just started the program; in fact, we were selling FlexLink in the US before they even had an office here.
Since we started creating solutions, we’ve earned many awards for excellence in sales and service from FlexLink, as well as other vendors. We’ve also patented several new products and conveyor solutions that we’ve developed internally. We’d love to tell you more about those, but due to their proprietary nature, we can’t.
Keeping secrets is part of our business, and if we develop something for you that needs to stay quiet, we can do that. We understand the competitive nature of business, and your need to keep that edge on the competition.
Calling Chester Home
Flex-Line is based in Chester, IL. We’re in a great central location in the US, close to major interstates and right on the banks of the Mississippi River. Not only is it a beautiful area, but we’re also in a perfect spot to get your order out the door and on the road to you.
Chester, IL is also the home of Popeye (you know, the “Sailor Man?” Spinach ring a bell?), and we’re definitely Popeye enthusiasts. In fact, we love it so much that Rhett built a custom 1948 Harley Davidson Panhead replica, decked out in tribute to Popeye. Our lobby features a display case with generations of Popeye memorabilia, too.
The Flex-Line crew are animal lovers, and we support the local Humane Society with donations. We have also donated to help the tornado victims in Alabama, and support bettering our own local community as well.

We’ve created unique solutions for clients all over the country, from smaller businesses to large, corporate giants, and they’ve all agreed that we deliver a cost-effective and custom solution that satisfied their needs and improved their process.
A lot has changed since 1983, but one that hasn’t is our dedication to being at the top of our industry, and doing it by exceeding your expectations with every turn. Whether you’re ready to change the world or you’re just reworking the production floor, let us help. We can handle it better than anyone.
Explore Recent Latest News & Stories
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
AMR? AGV? OMG, what is the difference?
There have been a lot of advancements in robotics, but with rapid developments comes confusion in nomenclature. So let’s clear up the differences between AMRs and AGVs! Both units are autonomous systems that can be described as mobile robots, but the big difference between them is in their navigation. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are self-navigating […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
The battle of the bends, or what kind of conveyor is right for you?
What do I mean? Well, obviously there are more differences than just bends, but the layout flexibility of certain types of conveyors is a pretty big factor when it comes to choosing the right solution for your application. We all know that conveyor systems are essential for moving items efficiently in a variety of industries; […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
Conveyor Companies: How to Pick the Right One
There are SO many conveyor companies out there now. Off of the top of my head I can list manufacturers like FlexLink, Dorner, mK Automation, QC, Arrowhead, Multi-Conveyor, Titan, EnduraVeyor, Alba, ACSI, Hytrol, Direct Conveyor, BettSystemi, and Modu. That is without even getting up and looking at the ring of catalogs that the guys in […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
Let’s Give Thanks… for Tabletop Conveyors?
Happy Thanksgiving! I always enjoy this time of year, and love it when this video pops up in my memory. While we don’t actually eat dinner like this it did get me thinking, is this why people refer to this style of conveyor as tabletop conveyor? If you wound up here because you are trying […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
Pallet Destacker. Pallet-stacker? Pallet Dispenser! What is it and Why You Need One.
Do you use pallets? Not many industries can honestly answer that question with a no. How do you handle your pallets? Do you have some guy named Seth out back making massive piles of them then hanging out around the stacks like some sort of pallet dragon with a horde made of potential worker’s comp […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
Changes in Conveyor System Design
“Back in my day we drew on a drafting table. That was how you learned conveyor system design.” Okay, so I don’t remember those exact words leaving my grandpa’s mouth, but they could have. He was a classically trained engineer and everything had to be just so. At least with my dad it is something […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
Robotic Palletizing Systems, the Way of the Future?
In manufacturing there are a variety of ways that you can elevate products. One of the most elegant options is a spiral elevator. The name is pretty straight forward. Spiral elevators are shaped like corkscrews, and they allow products to move up and down between different heights. Why would you want a spiral elevator rather […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Insights
Spiral Elevators – Not Always the Right Choice for Elevation Changes
In manufacturing there are a variety of ways that you can elevate products. One of the most elegant options is a spiral elevator. The name is pretty straight forward. Spiral elevators are shaped like corkscrews, and they allow products to move up and down between different heights. Why would you want a spiral elevator rather […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Trade Shows
Come see us in Texas!
I’m not sure about you, but I am ready to get out of the office and see what has been going on with the rest of the world. To that end, I am excited to announce that we are taking this show on the road and will be exhibiting at the Design-2-Part show in Grapevine […]
- Lauren Van De Mark
- Flex-Line Updates
Drumroll please. Meet our collaborative box erector!
Flex-Line Automation, Inc. has a long history of custom automation solutions for our customers. Now we are happy to offer something new for us: a standard solution! Our collaborative box erector can utilize different cobots, including the UR5e or UR10e, in order to erect and tape various sizes of boxes to streamline your shipping processes. […]