KAHLER AUTOMATION
AGVANTAGE FS >MECHANICSVILLE, IA
WHAT THEY NEEDED
AgVantage FS needed to update its dry and liquid agronomy center to handle both present demand and the future needs of customers. The company needed to update its inefficient dry fertilizer facility with a cost-effective solution to provide excellent blend quality and increased capacity. AgVantage FS also wanted to expand its offerings with additional dry products to provide a wider range of blend options for customers.
On the liquid side, AgVantage FS needed faster load out and accuracy to match the pace of their applicators. The company needed a high-quality custom solution to maximize the efficiency of existing building design systems and avoid the need for a complete overhaul. Several aspects of the operation, including the repack process and billing, were inefficient and time-consuming. AgVantage FS needed to clearly understand inventory to help improve its business management and integration with Agvance.
WHAT WE DESIGNED
The initial project objective was construction of a new dry fertilizer building, with subsequent retrofit upgrades to the liquid fertilizer and crop protection building. We evaluated the facility’s overall cost of ownership and performance; we took into account both the liquid and dry components to provide seamless integration. The state-of-the-art dry facility supplies five different outlets in their region. The system is set up for 11 products plus swing products for precise blending. The motor control center with terminal nest offers quick and easy setup for onsite service.
The liquid system features legal-for-trade mass flow meters for each chemical, so that everything can be run simultaneously to speed up load out. Controls and software are common throughout this location, allowing for flexible staffing with more internal knowledge and easy product training. Electronic order integration provides a paperless process, eliminating manual entry errors for fast and accurate accounting.