About Us

Writing the book on non-friction

The story begins in 1957 when two men in Grand Rapids, Mich., designed, patented and marketed the first LVLP (low-volume, low-pressure) spray system.  They named their company after their product, uni-MIST.

This revolutionary lubrication system would avoid the need to flood fluid on machining and cutting hot spots. Much to manufacturers’ satisfaction, the system not only reduced how much money they needed for lubricant purchases, but also reduced the downstream costs of cleaning it up, treating and disposing of it.

In 1968 uni-Mist, Inc. was sold to Wally Boelkins, a mechanical product and tool design engineer. Boelkins rented the 9x12-foot office and then, as the company’s only employee, began writing a new chapter of growth and innovation in non-friction products.

From the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, the lubrication experts at Uni-Mist, Inc. focused their innovative energies on developing the uni-MAX series. Their lubricant-reducing ideas led to the first:

• Co-axial coupling for ease of attachment and removal of co-axial fluid and air lines used to more efficiently lubricate air tool motors.
• Intermittent positive displacement lubrication system for accurate spray lubrication of tool/work interfaces.
• Double 2-way solenoid and air pilot valves for automatic operation of pneumatic atomizing spray systems.
• Continuous operating, multi-output positive displacement spray system to ensure a consistent, thin film on multiple tool/work interfaces.
• Lighter weight polyurethane hoses to improve flexibility of air tool operation.
  

In the early 1990s, Uni-Mist, Inc. tackled excessive lubricant usage in the metal forming industries. At the time there was no environmentally responsible way to apply lubricants to coil stock. The introduction of the uni-Roller application system in 1993 was an instant success. Metal forming manufacturers searching for ways to comply with more stringent environmental regulations and reduce their lubricant expenses found the uni-Roller was their answer. In addition to saving lubricant costs, companies realized they could reduce waste disposal costs and create a cleaner work environment, too. It was not long before word spread around the world about uni-Roller benefits.

As our product line and markets expanded beyond spray systems, we changed the company’s name from Uni-Mist, Inc. to UNIST, Inc. in 1996.  The name unifies our efforts to improve all manufacturing and assembly processes throughout the world.

In 1999, UNIST rolled out the first SPR-2000 Programmable Fluid Controller. This greatly enhanced the range of operations suitable for the uni-Roller systems. More customers in more markets became part of our non-friction success story.

Then in 2000 we developed the central Coolube Supply Station to provide a consistent supply of pressurized fluid to your applications and minimize downtime. That same year we created the co-axial rotary fitting for coolant fed spindles.

Today UNIST production facilities encompass a 40,000-square-foot plant (a big change from Wally’s original 9x12-foot office!). The plant is located on five acres within five minutes of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. Each one of our employees is committed to reducing the amount of fluids used to keep production equipment operating efficiently, saving our customers money and protecting the environment. It’s a non-friction story we plan to write for decades to come. We hope you become part of it. Let’s talk about how you can start saving money today.