NORTH VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLOMBIA, CANADA — Richardson International’s North Vancouver port terminal facility completed the installation of four new, fully automated grain handling trippers.

The new tripper conveyors feature modern mechanical structural components and chutes, electrical and automated control systems, and are equipped with dust collection aspiration. The updates include enhanced performance, capacity, efficiency and safety.

In 2015, the terminal underwent an expansion project — doubling its storage capacity to 180,000 tonnes and doubling railcar unloading capacity from 150 to 300 cars per day. Following the expansion, Richardson decided the terminal still required a more efficient tripper system than originally was installed at the facility in the 1970s.

“To move these two remaining annexes into this century and to provide the terminal with significant improvements in efficiency and automation, we engaged LNS to manage this undertaking,” said Phil Hulina, senior director of North Vancouver Port Terminal. “Along with Richardson engineering, LNS engineering, and on-site expertise, this tripper project exceeded expectation on all levels.”

Richardson International’s North Vancouver facility exports on average, five million tonnes of grain per year. It is a major exporter of canola and cereal grains.

A global company in agriculture and food processing, Richardson is a worldwide handler and merchandiser of all major Canadian-grown grains and oilseeds and is a vertically-integrated producer of food and ingredients. Richardson has more than 2,900 employees across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. According to Sosland Publishing’s 2020 Grain & Milling Annual, the company has a total of 71 grain storage facilities with a total licensed storage capacity of 95.7 million bushels.