In the quiet town of Danube, Minnesota, where tradition and hard work run deep, something big is rising on the east side of town. APEX Industrial is proud to support Farmward Cooperative in a major upgrade to its Danube facility. This is a transformation that's not only boosting grain handling capacity and efficiency but also sparking local pride and job creation.

Partnering with SMA LLC, a respected contractor with a long-standing reputation for tackling complex grain system projects, APEX engineered and manufactured a structural solution that quite literally owns the skyline. We were lucky to capture progress during installation, which you can see here.

Project Overview

The Farmward project in Danube includes an extensive network of towers, walkways, and conveyor-support systems, engineered to streamline operations at one of the area's critical grain facilities. With SMA LLC leading the project, this installation is just the beginning of a multi-phase modernization effort at a decades-old site.

What’s on site:

• Location: Danube, MN
• Customer: Farmward Cooperative
• Contractor: SMA LLC
• Structure Highlights: Multi-level towers, dual conveyor bridges, catwalk systems, surge hopper platforms
• Purpose: Support high-capacity commercial grain handling and modernize infrastructure for long-term performance that serves rail and road traffic

APEX Engineered Structure Inputs

Support Tower on a Concrete Silo

This powerhouse 16’x 26’ x 72’ APEX tower was engineered to sit atop an existing 120-foot concrete silo, distributing weight through custom 64’ and 27’base beams that span the silo walls.

Supports:

• (2) 25,000 BPH bucket elevators
• (2) 25,000 BPH screeners
• (1) dual-inlet, 8-duct swing set distributor
• Internal & external stair systems for maintenance and access
• 5 platforms, including a 13' cantilevered top platform and a 21’-4” x 35’ screener platform

Walk-Thru Bridge

The dual-level,191-foot APEX bridge system spans nearly the length of a football field while allowing on site traffic flow to remain uninterrupted. This bridge system contains:

• Upper Level: Walkway + 15,000 BPH drag conveyor
• Lower Level: Walkway + 50,000 BPH belt conveyor
• (2) stair systems connecting both levels
• Full conveyor support stringers for efficient installation

This bridge adds enormous operational efficiency and safe access for future servicing.

Additional Structures

• 6’ x 22’ x 10’ Catwalk Support Tower
  With stairway and platform access
• 12’ x 20’ & 12’ x 25’ Freestanding 2-Column Towers
  Providing structural support for catwalk spans
• 10’ x 10’ x 10’-7” Surge Hopper Tower
  Custom-engineered to support a 750-bushel hopper and catwalk access
  Designed with unique tower support beams to avoid existing equipment and foundations

A Boost for the Community

Beyond the beams and bucket elevators, this project means more to Danube than just steel. It's:

• Creating new jobs and training opportunities in rural Minnesota
• Improving efficiency and throughput for one of the region’s leading cooperatives
• Instilling pride in the local landscape with infrastructure that defines the horizon

And this is just the beginning. SMA LLC has additional upgrades in the pipeline, continuing to build momentum for Farmward’s long-term growth strategy.

Trusted Teams. Proven Performance.

This project highlights the seamless collaboration between Farmward Cooperative, SMA LLC,and APEX Industrial, an alliance committed to practical solutions, structural integrity, and operational excellence.

Whether you're expanding capacity, improving safety, or solving complex structural challenges,APEX Industrial is ready to engineer your next success.

When harvest pressure meets operational precision, the results are built to last, even when they're designed to be temporary.

In Ayr, North Dakota, APEX Industrial is proud to have supported a high-volume temporary grain storage solution for The Arthur Companies, a fourth-generation, family-owned business with deep roots in North Dakota agriculture. The installation was completed by trusted contractor Agri-Systems, a third-generation business, who brought their expertise in grain system builds and customer-focused solutions to the project.

Project Snapshot
Location: Ayr, ND
Contractor: Agri-Systems
Customer: The Arthur Companies
Structures: (2) Grain Storage Bunkers
Dimensions: 165’ x 600’ each
Capacity: Up to 1.44 million bushels per bunker
Features: 4’ tall sidewalls, full aeration systems, tarp coverage

Engineered for Harvest Performance
Each of the two bunkers was designed to store up to 1.44 million bushels, providing scalable grain storage without the need for additional upright bin construction. With aeration systems integrated directly and tarp-ready walls that protect against weather and moisture, this system ensures grain stays in condition until it’s ready to move to market or long-term storage.

Collaboration that Delivers
This project is a strong example of what’s possible when engineering, construction, and grain operations align:

• Agri-Systems handled the project planning and installation with precision, adapting the bunker systems to meet the customer’s harvest timeline.
• The Arthur Companies trusted APEX and Agri-Systems to provide a solution that supports their continued growth and service to North Dakota farmers.
• APEX Industrial provides temporary storage with detailed assembly drawings to ensure a seamless install, on time and on spec.

Why Temporary Grain Storage?
Temporary grain storage is increasingly popular due to their:

• Fast setup times
• Lower cost per bushel
• Ability to quickly scale with harvest pressure
• Integration with existing grain handling systems

Whether you're looking to avoid grain pile loss, reduce wait times, or expand your site without permanent infrastructure, APEX-engineered grain bunkers offer a smart alternative that delivers results.

Built for Now. Ready for What’s Next.
From high-capacity temporary grain storage to precision support structures, APEX Industrial is proud to provide structural solutions that support safe, efficient harvests across the Midwest and beyond.

Need to start your temporary grain storage project? Let’s talk.

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At APEX Industrial, we believe our greatest strength is the team we’ve built. Each member of Team APEX brings a wealth of experience in the agricultural and industrial steel industries—expertise that allows us to deliver reliable, innovative solutions to our customers every day.

Our team’s history in the industry spans decades, with backgrounds in engineering, construction, and project management. Many of us have spent years working side-by-side with contractors, facility managers, and producers, giving us a deep understanding of the challenges faced in the field. This hands-on knowledge is what sets APEX apart: we don’t just design and manufacture steel solutions; we design them with an insider’s perspective on how they’ll be used, installed, and maintained.

From complex freestanding towers and catwalk systems to temporary storage and safety accessories, our team’s experience allows us to anticipate needs and deliver products that make facilities safer and more efficient. This depth of industry knowledge also helps us collaborate effectively with contractor partners across the country, ensuring projects are executed with precision and delivered on time.

Our Legacy, Your Confidence

Every project we complete is a reflection of the collective expertise of Team APEX. It’s this history of proven experience that makes us a trusted partner for agricultural and industrial operations across the nation. We’re proud to stand behind every piece of steel we engineer and fabricate—because we know it was built by a team that has spent their careers working in and around the facilities we serve.

Join the Conversation

We’d love to hear from you! How did you first meet the APEX team? Whether it was through a project, a conference, or a referral, share your story with our leaders. Your stories are part of our history, and we’re grateful for every connection we’ve made along the way.

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