Hansson Mechanical Systems was formed and incorporated in 1982 by Ulf Hansson, president and owner. The principal business was consulting in the field of mechanical engineering, in particular with respect to refrigeration and food processing equipment and project management. The main business area was the emerging bottom fishing industry in Seattle and Alaska. The company designed several fish processing vessel and factory floors. In 1984, Hansson Mechanical Systems, Inc. developed the first electric industrial crabcooker for use onboard catcher vessels, which make them independent from processing plants. The crabcooker has since become the norm for crab processing on board catcher vessels, with several hundred sold.
Other proprietary designs include high-pressure water crab cleaning machines and brine freezers. In 1996, he decided to devote full time to the idea of an internally driven, hydraulic drive pulley, the Tech-Roll. A patent was first applied for in March of 1996, with subsequent applications for an improved version in October 1997. The patent has now been granted for the United States and foreign patents are pending.