Barry Emmelkamp, Chief Operating Officer “When you work with us, you’re not just buying a belt off the shelf,” says Barry Emmelkamp, Chief Operating Officer. “We take the time to understand your operation from the ground up—your processes, your pain points and where improvements can be made. Then, we provide a belt solution that seamlessly integrates into your system.”
This client-first approach has earned D&D the trust of industry leaders. The company strikes a rare balance—large enough to meet high-volume demands, yet agile enough to ensure every partner receives personal attention.
This balance of scale and personal attention is mirrored in its team of over 100 people, more than 60 of whom are laser-focused on customer service and support. Whether it’s answering a call at 7 AM or troubleshooting an unexpected issue mid-production, D&D’s team ensures every challenge is handled quickly and efficiently.
Outlasting the Competition
D&D’s ability to deliver superior power transmission belt performance starts with complete, uncompromising control over its manufacturing process.
Unlike competitors who rely on third-party suppliers, D&D is 100 percent vertically integrated—overseeing every step from raw materials to final production.
The company owns sustainable rubber tree plantations, formulates proprietary compounds and produces its own cord, fabric and belt molds in-house. This meticulous process eliminates third-party markups and provides consistent quality with no weak links in the supply chain.
“Our competitors’ suppliers can change without notice, leading to unpredictable variations in product quality,” says Mike Grove, VP of Sales and Marketing. “The cord used in their belts today might not be the same tomorrow, resulting in fluctuating performance. That’s not a risk we’re willing to take.”
D&D’s approach guarantees unmatched consistency and reliability across its entire belt lineup—V-belts, Timing, Banded, Linked and Cogged Belts—designed and engineered to deliver tier-one performance across all industries and withstand the toughest applications.
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We take the time to understand your operation from the ground up—your processes, your pain points and where improvements can be made. Then, we provide a belt solution that seamlessly integrates into your system
But the company doesn’t just claim superior performance, it proves it. D&D submits its belts to the Akron Rubber Development Laboratory, an independent third-party facility, where testing is performed against industry giants. In one comparison, D&D belts went head-to-head with the industry’s longest-standing leader. The results were striking. D&D belts outperformed the industry leader in break-force strength by an average of 17 percent while recording a nominal difference in elongation and offering significantly better value.
Another test focused on HVAC belts, where D&D faced another leading industry giant. Once again, D&D’s belts excelled, outperforming the competitor in break-force strength by an overall average of 34.7 percent. In elongation tests, D&D belts performed within an average of 1.16 percent, showcasing their durability in critical applications.
Real-world results further amplify these findings. One client, who had previously replaced a competitor’s belts every shift—every day—on each piece of equipment, switched to D&D and extended belt life to two weeks per belt—reducing replacements from 28 belts to just one.
When it comes to manufacturing, exceptional products are only part of the equation. To truly stand out, a company must back them up with exceptional customer service and a proactive approach to innovation. D&D consistently exemplifies this philosophy, combining technical expertise, accessibility and a readiness to go the extra mile—literally— to meet client needs.
Staying ahead of evolving market demands starts with continuous improvement. D&D ensures its belts keep pace with the latest equipment innovations, adjusting designs to maintain superior performance. A recent example is its work in the lawn and garden industry, where a specific lawn mower presented challenges. Instead of relying on theoretical solutions, D&D purchased the equipment and re-engineered the belt for the exact application. The result is a new line of belts with enhanced cord, fabric and rubber compounds set to launch in the latter half of 2025, redefining performance standards for the industry.
Customer service, however, is where D&D truly shines. Clients can count on direct, live support—no automated systems, no frustrating delays. Its electronic ordering portal allows customers to track orders, reorder easily and access shipping updates for added convenience. Coupled with an extensive inventory of over 35,000 SKUs and six strategically located warehouses across the U.S. and Canada, D&D ensures that 98 percent of orders ship the same day.
This commitment to service was on full display during a recent crisis faced by an OEM prospect. When their current supplier failed to deliver belts critical to their operations, they turned to D&D. On a Tuesday afternoon, the client reached out for help. By the following morning, D&D’s team drove 12 hours to deliver 78 belts, ensuring operations resumed without further delays. Within 48 hours, the client was back on track, with reserved stock in D&D’s system to prevent future disruptions. They’ve since left their old vendor and become a loyal D&D customer.
“We maintain up to 18 months of inventory, supported by over 165,000 square feet of storage space in the U.S. alone,” says Grove. “This ensures our partners’ reliable access to the products they need when they need them.”
The Next Chapter for D&D
While D&D remains focused on the North American market, the company is poised for major growth—both in scale and product offerings.
Plans include expanding its belt business on a large scale, venturing outside North America for unique customer needs and exploring new product categories and exciting developments.
“We’re also taking our next steps into pulleys, sheaves and timing belt sprockets,” adds Emmelkamp.
This strategic move signals D&D’s commitment to diversifying its offerings while maintaining the same high standards of quality and reliability that customers have come to expect.
In addition to product innovation, D&D is also scaling its operations. Last year, it acquired business manufacturing tools and toolboxes, which it plans to grow using its sales and distribution network. This expansion aligns with its initiative to strengthen its presence in the Southwest, including Arizona, California and Nevada, by integrating warehouse space and a skilled workforce to better serve its customers across the U.S.
D&D’s approach to growth is grounded in a commitment to quality, innovation and the people who make it all possible. Whether through new products, expanded reach, or enhanced distribution capabilities, D&D continues to position itself as a leader in the power transmission industry, ready to seize opportunities and keep industries moving forward.
