b'PARTNER CONTENTResearch & Development:A Critical ComponentCenterFlow and Extndr fit customer needs.Jason Gearhart, Business Unit Leader-Seed, Buckhorn Inc, A Myers Industry CompanyB usiness terms like research and development or customer-driven innovation often get tossed around so liberally that they can easily lose their impact. But while the words might be all too commonplace, the concepts they represent are critical to todays ever-changing business climate.At Buckhorn, we strive to build richer relationships with our customers. Its not just about making the sale; its about finding a gap and working together to fill it. Its something we call customer intimacy. Weve learned that every customer has areas where things are not working quite as well as they could. These pain points create opportunities for improvement and increased customer satisfac-tion when we work with our customer to resolve them. Before developing our CenterFlow rigid seed container in the 1990s, FIBCs (bulk bags) were the primary mid-sized package format used for agricultural seed. But they werent ideal. Us-ers had to reach underneath the 2,000-pound bags to empty the contents and they didnt stack well. Safety was a real concern. We worked with a leading seed producer to address these concerns and resolve some of these pain points, resulting in the current CenterFlow solution. The result of the collaborative process improved safety when it comes to seed moving and storage and created several added benefits. The CenterFlow today plays a big part in sustainability, with millions of units now in a closed-loop recycling system. The boxes stack safely, so warehouse space can be maximized throughout the Supply Chain. Additionally, the units have provenCenterFlow Extndr, installed on Standard CenterFlow Container.themselves extremely effective when it comes to pest protection versus standard bags. All of these present value opportunities fora result, we landed on an extension ring concept that can be easily our customers that resulted from that collaborative effort. added or removed and is compatible with the millions of boxes In recent years the industry has continued to change. Cen- that weve shipped over the years. Hence, the Extndr was born. terFlow boxes historically held 50 units of Seed. However, withBuckhorn launched the Extndr February 2020. Our goal was to advancements in genetics, seed size increased, reducing the ef- provide customers with a solution to get up to 50 units in one box, fective capacity to 40 - 45 units per container. Buckhorn engagedeven with larger seed. As with the original CenterFlow product, growers, retailers and producers to fully understand and collectthis innovation brings extra benefits. With the Extndr, users not feedback about the use of CenterFlow products and challengesonly enjoy a 17% increase in capacity per Box, but also added with modern seed sizes. The ability to achieve up to 50 units andvertical storage and more efficient use of return logistics (utilizes assure unit consistency to the marketplace, regardless of Seedmore space on the truck). Additionally, Buckhorn now offers four size, were important factors, all the way through to the farmerdifferent sizes of CenterFlow containers through this product (user) level.extension. Combined, CenterFlow provides endless adaptability We realized it wasnt practical to develop a completely newto customers throughout our Supply Chain. design. Since the market has been formed around the uniqueBuckhorns customers continue to be our focus and we con-footprint of the current CenterFlow, we didnt want to create a so- tinue to listen to how we can help them with our products.lution that wasnt compatible with that large established base. AsQuestions? Reach us at Extndr@buckhorninc.com.JUNE 2020SEEDWORLD.COM /31'