ELKHART, KANSAS, U.S. — Scoular Co. and Elkhart Cooperative on Sept. 25 announced a partnership that will create an additional 2 million bushels of grain storage space.

Elkhart Cooperative, which operates 11 locations in Southwest Kansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma and already handles over 10 million bushels a year, said it needed more space at its Elkhart facility and worked with Scoular on a solution.

The decision was made to develop a bunker-style complex just four miles away. The cooperative will open an additional three bunkers and one pad, each capable of handling 500,000 bushels. The new facility offers rapid unloading, at 40,000 bushels per hour.

 “We’re pleased with this growing partnership, which will deliver excellent options and results for our producers,” said Harry Minns, board chairman for the Elkhart Cooperative Equity Exchange.

Minns said reaching out to Scoular was an easy decision, given the long relationship between the two companies and Elkhart Cooperative’s 102-year history of providing a high level of service to its member owners.

“By working together, the two organizations offer improved access to markets and services for Oklahoma and southwestern Kansas producers,” Minns said.

Ron Bingham, vice-president of operations at Scoular, added: “Scoular is committed to identifying innovative ways to serve U.S. customers. We are a partner willing to invest alongside cooperatives and non-cooperatives alike to better serve our customers.”  

Founded in Nebraska, Scoular is a 127-year old company with 102 offices and facilities worldwide and more than $4 billion in sales. The company provides global and diverse supply chain solutions for end-users and suppliers of grain, feed ingredients, and food ingredients.

According to Sosland Publishing Company’s 2019 Grain & Milling Annual, Scoular is the 10th largest company in North America in terms of grain storage capacity at 131 million tonnes.