When we decided to upgrade our seed plant, we knew we were in for a big project.
We took over the farm in 2004. My dad started the seed operation in 1975, and my wife and I took over in 2004. The advancements in technology, especially optical sorting, are amazing. From aspiration to gravity table technology, the machines are doing a better job than ever, with increased capacity. We wanted to be able to clean products and remove problems that weren’t possible a decade ago. We need to work with a good provider.
In the past, we’ve worked with several providers, but I wasn’t as familiar with Nexeed. We always shop around because a seed plant is never truly finished; there are always changes to be made. While there are many good people in the industry, with Nexeed, there was an immediate connection.
They always got back to us quickly and provided prompt delivery. The sales portion of the upgrade was easy.
The design and service phase was crucial. With Nexeed’s engineering staff, I felt confident that everything would come together well. In the past, engineering wasn’t as big a concern, but proper engineering from the start makes everything work much better. Once we began to execute on the project, I knew we were on the right track.
It’s the execution part that really sets a good provider apart. You need quick responses for service and parts, and training is crucial. We clean a dozen different crops, which means a steep learning curve. The learning process should be easy. They continually follow up long after the sale, ensuring we’re up to speed on the education part, which is key.
We were cleaning about 150 bushels an hour, and can now do 350 bushels, more than doubling our capacity. It’s been about two years since we completed the upgrade, which took several months.
We upgraded machines and made a lot of smaller changes. We also added some automation. It was a big deal for us.
There will always be a need for small changes, but the main components must have the proper size and capacity for the product we’re cleaning. Cleaning small seeds is especially challenging. Price is important, but having the right machine for the job is more crucial.
Nexeed helped us navigate these decisions. Sales, service and execution really is the winning combination in doing a seed plant upgrade. Find a provider that can pull it off and you’ll have a recipe for success. It was a big expense, but it’s an investment in our future that was worth making.
