A $4-million state-of-the-art upgrade of Viterra's Gladstone site was unveiled on Friday.
The upgrade includes a new classification centre, automatic grain probes, fully-automated 40-metre weighbridge and shed resealing.
Growers and the community gathered at the site on Friday to celebrate the occasion, with the new classification centre being named in memory of local grower Michael Butterick.
The existing centre has been named in honour of fellow local grower Geoff Millard.
Both were Strategic Silo Committee chairs and served on the committee for a number of years, playing a valuable role in working with the business on behalf of local growers.
Viterra central region operations manager Jack Tansley said the new automated grain probes and classification centre was the first of its kind in the region, but follows the success of a similar upgrade at Tumby Bay.
"The new equipment will improve efficiency, safety and service to grower customers," he said.
"The automatic probes run the length of the truck on overhead tracks and will be controlled by an employee with a joystick inside the classification office.
"Visual inspection of the truck is via video cameras on the probes.
"We've been able to improve safety and efficiency by having the classification office on the ground rather than having stairs - as employees no longer need to probe from a height."
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Mr Tansley said Viterra wanted to make sure they were doing what growers need.
"The opportunity to have this new development here, and honour the past committee members, was a great idea," he said.
"It has been a major project which we have managed in a way to use as many local and SA contractors as possible."
Gladstone Strategic Silo Committee chair Nigel Clogg said it was the biggest upgrade the facility had received in several decades
The story Viterra unveils $4m Gladstone site upgrade first appeared on The Flinders News.
