Flint Hills Resources to Expand On-Site Corn Storage

Flint Hills Resources announced today it is adding nearly 2 million bushels of year-round corn storage at its Menlo ethanol plant. The new Sukup grain bin will increase the plant’s on-site corn storage capacity at harvest by more than 50 percent and its year-round storage capacity will double. The new bin will be one of the largest in the world once complete, and it is expected to begin receiving corn in early October, just in time for harvest.

Currently, the Menlo plant has 2 million bushels of year-round corn storage. The new bin will add close to 2 million bushels of storage bringing total, year-round storage to 4 million bushels. The plant also has a 2.5-million-bushel corn pile that increases storage at harvest to more than 6 million bushels.

In addition to the new grain bin, the Menlo plant is also making upgrades to its grains receiving and load-out system including adding a 30,000-bushels-per-hour corn receiving pit and more robust distillers grains silo sweeps. The new receiving pit will be the plant’s third and increase receiving capacity by 75 percent. The new Laidig silo sweeps will improve consistency and reliability during the loading of distillers grains. These upgrades, coupled with a new, streamlined automated scale system, will help reduce average turn times and greatly enhance customers’ onsite experience.

“These investments in our Menlo plant represent our continued commitment to providing our customers with the superior products and services they have come to expect from us,” said Max Cornelison, commercial manager at the Flint Hills Resources Menlo ethanol plant.

Construction at the site is expected to begin in early March. About 50 constructions jobs will be created. The new grain bin and receiving pit are expected to be open in time for harvest.

Flint Hills Resources is currently hiring for open positions available at its eight biofuels and ingredients facilities in Arthur, Fairbank, Iowa Falls, Menlo, Shell Rock, Iowa; Beatrice and Fairmont, Nebraska; and Camilla, Georgia, and its regional offices in Ames, Iowa. For more information, please visit: www.FHRCareers.com.