Growmark will spend $3.5 million to renovate its lubricant manufacturing facility in Council Bluffs, Iowa, which it acquired in 2006 from McCollister and Co.
The renovation includes expanded bulk oil and engine coolant storage capacity, increased warehouse space and state-of-the-art equipment for solubilizing viscosity index improvers.
Craig Stout, Growmarks director of lubricant operations, said the project demonstrates the companys commitment to its lubricant business. This renovation will enhance our ability to terminal additives, provide fee solubilization, and contract blend and package, he added.
Larry Williams, manager of operations and technical services for Growmarks lubricants division, said the renovation will help accommodate current and future growth.
Its going to enable us to expand our offerings and increase our efficiencies, Williams told Lube Report. As far as long term goes, wed like to branch out more into offering some synthetics. Its going to take additional storage. Just as everybody else in the oil business, we cant have enough tanks today, with all the classifications and base oils.
According to Williams, Growmarks lubricants division manufactures a large variety of products for the agricultural, commercial, industrial and consumer sectors. Being in the heart of the Midwest, heavy-duty diesel engine oils and tractor hydraulic fluids are the two largest product families that we have, he observed. Weve branched out into passenger car motor oils, cutting fluids, industrial fluids, gear oils, ATFs – we pretty much fill the whole gamut when it comes to mineral-based products.
A regional cooperative, Growmark provides agriculture-related products and services as well as grain marketing in 31 states and Ontario, Canada.
In addition to FS-branded lubricant products, Growmark also makes and markets the Archer and United Brands.