Farmward Expansion in Rural Minnesota

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.