Press Archives - Page 2 of 4 - West Coast Seed Mill Supply Company

A Week In Washington DC

Out of 19 Oregon State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) programs, and their corporate clients, West Coast Companies was honored to be chosen as the guest client to accompany the Chemeketa SBDC delegation last month to Washington DC. Throughout the week we met with the offices of Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, Congressman Schrader and Congresswoman Bonamici to discuss how the SBDC programs benefit local communities through business development and growth.

The Office of Congresswoman Bonamici

West Coast Companies, Small Business Development Center, Senator Jeff Merkley

Senator Merkley Introductions

Congressman Schrader, West Coast Companies

Congressman Schrader’s Office

In addition to these discussions, we had the opportunity to review agricultural industry topics such as succession planning, trade concerns, hemp processing & banking regulations. Sharing our concerns & highlights of the agricultural industry, and hearing in turn what strategies are being put into place to address these topics, was enlightening.

Chemeketa Community College, West Coast Companies

We happen to run into the Chemeketa Community College Board of Directors while there! Small world with impeccable timing!

Outside of these meetings, we attended a small intimate trade show of other companies around the country that participate in the National SBDC programs. These companies included entrepreneurs that are harnessing solar power into cooking pots for camping enthusiast and third world countries as well as an ex-Patriot NFL player, Jarvis Green, who own’s a successful seafood company, called Oceans 97.

Being the second generation of leadership for West Coast Companies (first with American Ag Systems) we have many ideas on how we can continue to build upon our custom processing solutions. The Chemeketa SBDC program has certainly assisted us in our company vision and future aspirations. Sharing the good work they are doing, and being able to discuss the agricultural industry with policy makers, was exciting. We are honored to have received this opportunity.

Merrissa & Andrew Burleigh

—Merrissa Hayden-Burleigh

A Week In Washington DC2020-03-18T16:21:03-07:00

Section 179 at a Glance

We know the last thing you want to do is think about taxes! But now is the time to consider what large purchases you may have to make that would benefit you if done by the end of the year.

With 2019 coming to a close, we want to bring your attention to Section 179. Haven’t heard the details? In short, Section 179 will allow businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying agricultural and industrial processing equipment purchased or financed during the 2019 tax year.

That means that if you buy (or lease) a piece of qualifying equipment, you can deduct the FULL PURCHASE PRICE from your gross income. Think of it as a “loophole”. It’s an incentive created by the U.S. government to encourage businesses to buy equipment and invest in themselves. It is considered most beneficial to small businesses now, more than ever before. Section 179 can help with much needed tax relief while also giving your small business permission to take care of larger purchases that will serve in the growth of your company.

See the included image for an example as to how Section 179 works. Then call your West Coast Companies sales rep to find out how Section 179 can benefit you and the growth of your business!

Section 179 at a Glance2019-12-03T15:12:30-08:00

Downtime & Dust Control

When harvest is in full swing and a processing line goes down unexpectedly, the “downtime” can be costly. Not only will you be paying for the equipment repairs but revenue is being lost due to unprocessed product. Staying ahead of the repairs and potential issues will save money, time and headaches.

In addition to quarterly and yearly equipment service checks, our customers will schedule pre-harvest maintenance with American Ag Systems, our affiliate construction company. This allows for necessary fine tuning of the production line, reduces unexpected breakdowns and elongates the life of the equipment. Scheduled maintenance does not always have to result in a complete line shutdown. Tending to the plant on a day-to-day basis, or focusing on one section of the line in a rotating manner, is a great way to continually run product while maintaining the life of the line. The cost savings of maintenance well surpasses the costs incurred with unexpected breakdowns.

Another time, and cost, saving pre-harvest preparation includes stocking up on consumables such as twine, ink, oil boards, screens, and other smaller items imperative to day-to-day options. With this preemptive plan, the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and time consuming supply runs during key processing times is greatly reduced.

Dust control should always be a key focus in continued preventative maintenance. Dust control provides safe ventilation for employees, reduces damage to processing equipment and assists in fire prevention. For these reasons, it’s important to regularly change bag filters. Doing so before high times, such as harvest, is important as this process can be labor intensive and time consuming, especially if replacement bags are not in stock. We work proudly with Donaldson Torit products and machinery. Partnering with them allows us to be of assistance to our customers for their dust collection needs.

We encourage all our customers to utilize us in preparing for these scheduled downtimes as well as have us in mind when things don’t go according to plan. Contact us today to learn more about how we can prepare you for whatever downtime may be in your future, planned or unplanned.

Downtime & Dust Control2019-06-03T16:19:52-07:00

Quick Upgrade for Harvest with a 23% Discount: Trade Show Model Q-Sage 5-88 Air Screen Cleaner

Ready for harvest but need a cleaner for processing? Don’t miss this hot deal!

Purchase now to receive by the 2019 Summer Harvest.

Take advantage of this one-off trade show model. With only mild cosmetic blemishes, this Q-Sage 5-88 Air Screen Cleaner functions at 100% and runs according to Q-Sage’s ridged specs. With this one time deal, you’ll receive a nearly a 23% discount off of the original price. Purchase now to receive by harvest 2019.

• Available in screen widths of 54” (298)

• The Q-SAGE unit matches the footprint and major spouting set-up of the aging Clipper 298 – modern Q-SAGE unit slides into current processing line

• Matches existing in-plant inlet and good product discharge material flows

• No need to order new screens – your legacy Clipper screen inventory perfectly fits into the new Q-SAGE Air Screen Cleaner

• Enjoy the benefits of an effective seed cleaning and conditioning upgrade without the hassle of major plant revisions and reworking

• This retrofit option has provided great success for those that have made the swap

• Easy Access to screens for clean-out/screen changes – 112.5 sq. ft. screen area

• Heavy Duty Eccentric Assembly with 1” stroke for better product flow uniformity

Replace the Clipper 298 with an “Easy-Fit” Q-Sage Air-Screen Cleaner upgrade featuring double capacity and updated modern flow options.

Download Brochure

Contact for Information

Quick Upgrade for Harvest with a 23% Discount: Trade Show Model Q-Sage 5-88 Air Screen Cleaner2019-04-11T14:11:05-07:00

Innovative Hazelnut Processing Plant Build

The hazelnut became Oregon’s official State Nut in 1989. This is fitting considering that 99% of American hazelnuts come from Oregon and grow on 70,000 acres ran by about 800 families. The total value growers received for their hazelnut crop has averaged nearly $70 million during the last five years. This translates into a total economic impact of more than $150 million in Oregon. With the abundance of hazelnuts (originally called filberts) being grown in the state, it’s clear that hazelnut storage is on high demand. That is why the Wilco/Hazelnut Growers of Oregon jumped on the opportunity to build an 11-million pound, “state-of-the-art” hazelnut storage facility relying on West Coast Companies for design and various storage, packaging and conveying equipment. Due to the fluidity of West Coast Companies’ equipment knowledge, pared with proven installation and fabrication experience by our affiliate partner American Ag Systems, HGO chose to partner with both companies to bring the project vision to life.

It was in 2016 that Wilco merged together with HGO and during this time started working with both West Coast Companies and American Ag Systems on the logistics of the project. In 2018, the plant relocated from the town of Cornelius to Donald, Oregon—where they’re provided a larger infrastructure and ability to build the new plant for HGO.

All parties involved collaborated in designing a top-notch structure of four 15’ diameter SCAFCO hopper bottom bins, one 24’ diameter SCAFCO hopper bottom bin and four 48’ diameter SCAFCO stiffened commercial bins, all including spiral letdown ladders that offer a fill rate of 40 tons per hour. In addition to the SCAFCO bins, West Coast Companies provided SCAFCO catwalks, catwalk supports, and support towers with switchback stairways to maintain the highest quality of safety for Wilco/HGO employees.

A Hamer-Fischbein full industrial bagging line was installed paired with end-of-the-line robotic palletizing solutions from Columbia Okura. LMC bucket elevators and drag conveyors can also be found within the build. While putting together the various parts of this project, it was critical to ensure each step of the project maintained food-grade compliant standards.

The innate belief at West Coast Companies and American Ag System is that each piece of equipment is only as good as the equipment that comes before it. This ensures each step of the process is being completed to the up most efficiencies and quality standards. For this reason, West Coast Companies only chooses to work with the best, most reliable, vendors in the industry.

In August 2018, a week before the official grand opening, Wilco/HGO hosted Hazelnut Society of Oregon’s annual summer tour and tradeshow which brought well over 1,000 attendees eager to see the state-of-the-art facility. During this time, West Coast Companies various vendors attended to see the finished project and to speak with interested attendees. After attending the event Jim McDonald, SCAFCO CEO, stated “The workmanship was excellent, and the HGO event was a beautiful showcase for SCAFCO products,” on their company website, http://scafcograin.com/language/en/category/news/

Innovative Hazelnut Processing Plant Build2022-02-11T09:20:17-08:00

Employee Spotlight: Washington/Northern Idaho Sales Representative & Seed Cleaning Consultant

It is with great pleasure we introduce Jack Forest, our Washington/Northern Idaho Sales Representative & Seed Cleaning Consultant. Jack’s experience includes over 18 years with Syngenta and Nunhems USA specializing in seed cleaning, plant maintenance, agricultural packaging & warehousing. Along with Jacks experience, he has a passion for providing customers with efficient and honest service.

Jack’s vast industry knowledge, hands-on experience and familiarity with application problem solving will be a valuable resource in finding the right equipment solutions for our customer’s processing needs. We consider ourselves fortunate to have Jack with us as we continue to deliver our custom solutions to the agricultural and industrial processing communities.

Jack Forest
Washington/Northern Idaho Sales Representative
& Seed Cleaning Consultant
(208) 889-8514

Employee Spotlight: Washington/Northern Idaho Sales Representative & Seed Cleaning Consultant2018-09-27T09:38:31-07:00

Processing Equipment Technology: Featuring West Coast Companies

Recently, SEDCOR (Strategic Economic Development Corporation) of the Oregon Mid-Willamette Valley contacted us to discuss the importance of technology in the industrial & agricultural processing equipment industry, and how it is changing the landscape of our customer’s operations. Check out our insight into these questions among other interesting technological advancements throughout the Willamette Valley in the spring 2018 issue:

West Coast Companies Processing Equipment Technology

SEDCOR Spring 2018 Issue

Additional thoughts specific to this topic:

The last 5 years have proven to be game changers for our customers. Due to evolving technology, customers are experiencing larger yields, quicker production times, increased outputs and greater profits. The return on investment for new processing equipment is seen quickly and with great enthusiasm.

Some of the processing equipment lines that have seen the greatest changes in technology, to name just a few:

Air-Screen Cleaners designs have improved to reflect the requirements of food processors and regulating entities such as FDA plus FISMA.

Seed Treaters automation and accuracy is key, and much improved. Treaters can generate reports which document each run, in addition to farmers being able to choose specific products and quantities to meet individual needs of each field.

Gravity Tables much like air-screen cleaners, are adapting to the changing needs of the food industry by offering more protection against contamination and contact with stainless steel surfaces.

Nut Dryers designed by our West Coast Nut Processing Company, now offer two chambers within the dryer. The first chamber offers filling while at the same time pre-drying the nuts to reduce overall drying time. The second chamber focuses on drying the product to required moisture content.

Meeting and exceeding customer expectations:

Manufactures have taken great strides to really get down to the meat and potatoes of what customers are looking for, what they need and what will help them create a product of the best quality. We then take it from there to harmoniously integrate each manufactured piece of processing equipment into a complete or existing line, so the technology works together in a cohesive manor allowing for the best product output for the customer with the goal of not only meeting but exceeding the customer’s expectations.

Processing Equipment Technology: Featuring West Coast Companies2018-03-27T16:24:19-07:00

Processing Equipment Sales & Parts Department Updates

March has brought about exciting changes and new opportunities for our processing equipment sales department at West Coast Companies.

Heart-Felt Farewells: Our Oregon Sales Representative, Josh Wells, has found a new career opportunity that is a great fit for his future goals and family needs. Although we are sad to see him go, we are happy and excited to continue working with him in a different facet.

Enthusiastic Changes: In lieu of Josh’s departure, we are excited to announce that Gilbert Contreras has stepped into Josh’s position. We believe Gilbert is the perfect fit since he has been assisting our customers for the past two years with product inquiries and part sales. He has a vast knowledge of our processing equipment and a great working relationship with our customers and manufacturers.

Sales Representative- processing, handling, packaging and storage equipment

Gilbert Contreras, Sales Representative
for your processing, handling, packaging and storage equipment needs.

Warm Welcomes: For processing equipment parts needs, we still have you covered. We are thrilled to welcome aboard Josh Daily as our new part-sales representative. He has been saturating himself with the newest information on our manufacturers and is eager to start assisting our customers. He will be a great asset in our parts department and will continue to offer the knowledgeable and reliable part assistance in which West Coast is known for.

Josh Daily, Processing Equipment Part-Sales Representative

If you see Gilbert Contreras, Josh Wells, or Josh Daily, make sure to give them big congratulations!

Processing Equipment Sales & Parts Department Updates2018-03-13T09:08:56-07:00

Automation paves the way for West Coast Companies in Salem (Capital Press)

Incorporating automation in a processing plant can increase output and amplify revenue, however, the benefits of automation go beyond the bottom line. With labor shortages, rising minimum wages, and tightening labor laws, processors can redefine the jobs of valued, long-term, and knowledgeable employees by offering positions in less physically demanding areas of the processing plant. Automation also alleviates the strain of trying to find and retain qualified, part-time, or seasonal labor.

We help our customers identify the correct and most efficient automation equipment for their processing line. With the assistance of our agricultural and industrial construction company, American Ag Systems, we can design and install automated lines into new or existing plants. We offer additional support through preventative maintenance options to extend the life of the equipment after the project is completed.

Due to our industry experience, the Capital Press newspaper reached out to us to discuss how automation is transforming the landscape of the processing industry.

Check out the article: Capital Press Automation

Robotic Palletizing, processing plant packaging

Robotic Palletizer

Automation paves the way for West Coast Companies in Salem (Capital Press)2018-01-17T10:10:45-08:00

2018 M.A.G.I.E. Show (Montana Agricultural and Industrial Exhibit)

January 18-20, 2018
Thursday & Friday: 9am-5pm
Saturday: 9am-4pm
Four Season’s Arena & Expo Hall, State Fairgrounds, Great Falls, Montana

Mark your calendars to come see us. We are here to discuss Processing, Handling, Packaging and Storage Equipment Solutions for your product as well as Design, Installation, Service & Preventative Maintenance by American Ag Systems! You can find us at booth #I30.

2018 M.A.G.I.E. Show (Montana Agricultural and Industrial Exhibit)2018-01-15T14:02:19-08:00

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