Key Cooperative Facility Features The Latest In Murray Equipment Technology

Posted by Matt Hopkins|June 27, 2016

When Key Cooperative wanted to improve the overall efficiency at its new state-of-the-art facility in Grinnell, IA, it turned to the automation experts at Murray Equipment.

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Key Cooperative’s new liquid fertilizer, crop chemical, and seed facility in Grinnell, IA, stores 1.5 million gallons of liquid fertilizer and 120,000 gallons of crop chemicals.
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The new facility features two fully automated fertilizer and crop chemical bays that require only a single operator.
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Inside the control room: MEI ICS 360 combined with Murray Interface offers a powerful, operator-friendly end-to-end automation solution.
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The Grinnell facility incorporates MEI ICS 240 Weigh System which is designed to create precise chemical and fertilizer blends.
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The MEI ICS 240 Weigh System allows for multiple batches within a single batch due to new chemistries.
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The Unattended Loadout bay allows customers and transport drivers to pick up loads 24/7.
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The intuitive MEI ICS Unattended Loadout provides convenience and ensures customers get what they need, when they need it. It updates inventory in real-time.
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Murray Equipment also supplied the liquid handling equipment used in the facility.
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The new facility includes 120,000 gallons of crop chemicals stored in stainless steel tanks.
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The new facility offers large storage capacity, and permits expansion as demand grows.
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Coriolis mass flow meters dramatically increase loadout speed and precision.
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The cutting-edge weigh system incorporates Total Control Systems meters for accurate and repeatable volumetric metering.
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The sleek and simple design of MEI ICS 360 and Murray Interface complements the overall clean and modern facility design. Redundant manual controls ensure maximum uptime.
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Self-leveling gangway with fall protection and telescoping arms are designed to provide a safe environment for operators and drivers.
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The unattended loadout bay is accessible to the other bays through an internal, lockable, door.
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The unattended bay capitalizes on industry-proven technology to ensure ease of use for both customers and transport drivers.
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Murray Equipment assembles and stocks pumps, meters, and other liquid handling equipment in-house to ensure its systems have maximum uptime.
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The new facility includes Liquid Fertilizer Loadout for up to 22 chemistries, Unattended Loadout, N-Serve, Meeting Space, Seed, and more.
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Key Cooperative Grinnell, IA, location.

What They Needed

Speed, efficiency, and customer service were the driving forces behind Key Cooperative’s newest fertilizer and crop chemical facility. Strategically, centrally located in Grinnell, IA, this state-of-the art facility needed to supply not only customers and trucks going to the field, but also other locations as well. Speed without automation increases the potential for error. That’s why they brought in leading liquid handling equipment and automation provider, Murray Equipment, Inc. (MEI).

“Our main goal was to service our member customers better,” said Dan Dunsbergen, Grinnell Location Manager. “But we also wanted to improve our overall efficiencies — improve inventory management, reduce shrinkage, increase storage for more purchasing power, limit employee exposure, and reduce the potential for operator and applicator error.”

What We Designed

Key Cooperative’s 1.5-million-gallon liquid fertilizer and 120,000-gallon crop chemical facility features much of the latest in Murray Equipment technology. Complete with two fully automated fertilizer and crop chemical bays, which incorporate an automated weigh system, and a separate 24/7 loadout bay, this facility was built for speed.

“When a driver is done in a field he can call us on his way back to prepare for another load,” explained Dunsbergen. “We can create an order number and the driver just takes that order number to this facility where he fills his truck and takes the load and spray sheet out to the applicator. Then in our unattended bay both customers and transport drivers can get whatever fertilizer they need 24/7.” Murray Equipment was also the main supplier of liquid handling equipment. “I’ve worked with Murray for years and have a great relationship with them,” continued Dunsbergen. “I know if I need a part, in Iowa I can usually get it by the next day.”

Benefits Expected

This new facility allows Key Cooperative to supply customers on a timelier basis. This includes nearby customers and also those serviced by other locations. The facility’s proximity to I-80, rail, and the Mississippi River will improve inbound logistics. Larger storage capacity, enhanced inventory management, and greater labor efficiencies will increase overall margins. “We care a lot about our employees, too. We wanted to be able to mix hot loads, but we wanted to limit their exposure. Murray Equipment automation does that for us,” said Dunsbergen. Finally, aesthetics were of concern. MEI’s powerful, yet streamlined ICS series panels complemented the overall clean and modern facility design provided by Marcus Construction.