When a major grain bin failure disrupted operations at Total Grain Marketing’s rail loader facility in Arcola, Illinois, the response wasn’t simply to replace what was lost, it was to create a stronger, more efficient facility designed for the demands of modern agriculture.
Working alongside the engineering and construction teams at GROWMARK, the rebuilt facility optimized the existing footprint while preserving a critical grain marketing asset that local producers depend on. APEX Industrial was proud to provide the towers, catwalks, platforms, and structural support systems that now serve as the backbone of the upgraded operation.
The result is a facility built for increased capacity, improved efficiency, enhanced safety, and long-term reliability.
A Community Asset Worth Rebuilding
Arcola has long been an important agricultural hub in east-central Illinois. The Total Grain Marketing rail loading facility serves producers throughout the region, providing access to competitive grain markets through efficient storage and rail logistics.
Following the 2024 bin failure, the project team faced a decision similar to many aging grain facilities across the Midwest: rebuild, relocate, or redesign.
The decision was made to invest in the existing site and maximize its operational potential. By utilizing the established footprint and integrating modern grain handling infrastructure, the project preserved a valuable community asset while positioning the facility for future growth.
Today, the new structure stands as a symbol of the area’s continued investment in agriculture.
APEX’s Role in the Rebuild
APEX Industrial engineered and manufactured a comprehensive structural package designed to support high-capacity grain handling equipment, safe operator access, and future expansion opportunities.
Main Support Tower
At the heart of the project is a 16′ x 18′ x 195′ freestanding main support tower. It is designed to support:
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- Two Model 48 bucket elevators with 181-feet discharge heights
- A 195-feet enclosed manlift
- Multiple conveyor and catwalk elevations
- Valve access platforms at multiple operating levels
The tower features:
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- Knock-down tube construction
- Bolted inverted-V bracing
- Hot-dip galvanized finish
- Multiple service platforms and maintenance access points
The structure provides the elevation and support necessary to move grain efficiently throughout the facility while allowing maintenance personnel safe access to critical equipment.
Multi-Level Access Designed for Safety
Modern grain facilities demand more than capacity, they require safe and efficient access to equipment.
To support ongoing maintenance and operations, APEX supplied:
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- Elevated walkways
- OSHA-compliant ladders and cages
- Ladder rest platforms
- Safety gates and ladder step-through systems
- Bucket elevator tie-off systems
Each platform was strategically positioned to provide access to valves, distributors, conveyors, and grain handling equipment throughout the facility.
Extensive Bridge Network
Supporting the facility’s grain handling efficiency is an integrated network of more than 500-feet of APEX-engineered conveyor bridges and catwalk systems. Designed to carry multiple GSI conveyors while providing safe operator access, the structures feature hot-dip galvanized construction, full-width expanded metal grating, and strategically located service platforms for maintenance and equipment inspection. Together, these elevated pathways create a seamless flow of grain throughout the facility while improving throughput, accessibility, and long-term serviceability.
Built for Growth
Beyond replacing damaged infrastructure, the Arcola project was designed with future growth in mind.
The main tower includes support provisions for future catwalks and additional equipment. Structural systems throughout the facility were engineered to provide flexibility as operational needs evolve.
This forward-thinking approach allows Total Grain Marketing and GROWMARK to continue adapting to changing market demands without major structural modifications.
Supporting Progress
Projects like Arcola demonstrate what can happen when engineering, construction, and agricultural leadership align around a common goal.
By investing in modern infrastructure rather than simply replacing aging assets, the team transformed a challenging situation into an opportunity for long-term improvement.
APEX Industrial is proud to have contributed the structural systems that help make this facility safer, stronger, and more efficient for the farmers and communities it serves.
As producers continue to push yields higher and harvest windows become increasingly compressed, facilities like Arcola play a vital role in keeping grain moving efficiently from field to market.
And we’re proud to be part of the structures that make that possible.
Project Location: Arcola, Illinois
Owner: Total Grain Marketing / GROWMARK
Project Completion: 2025
APEX Scope: Main Support Tower, Catwalk Systems, Service Platforms, Bulk Weigher Structure, Access Systems, Support Towers, Structural Steel Components
Finish: Hot-Dip Galvanized Steel
Purpose: Grain Receiving, Handling, Storage Support, and Rail Loadout Infrastructure
