As harvest season approaches, planning and preparation continue to take center stage across the agricultural industry. From evaluating storage solutions to preparing for a busy fall trade show season, there's plenty happening throughout the industry.
In this month's edition of Chief Agri Insights, we're taking a closer look at Lemanco Modular Bins through engineering insights and a new product brochure, sharing leadership perspectives from Chief Asia, highlighting manufacturing updates, and previewing the upcoming trade shows where you can connect with the Chief Agri team.
Thank you for staying connected with us and for your continued interest in the work happening across our teams and throughout the industry.
Mark Kjar
President/General Manager
Message from Leadership
Mark Kjar, President/General Manager
Shared Challenges, Shared Opportunities
Recently, I had the opportunity to spend time with our Chief Asia team in the Philippines. It was a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, share ideas, and discuss the opportunities and challenges shaping agriculture around the world. While every region has its own unique needs, I was reminded that many of the conversations are remarkably similar.
Whether it's helping producers improve efficiency, protect grain quality, or plan for future growth, the priorities remain much the same. Markets may shift, weather will always present challenges, and every harvest brings new opportunities, but the need for reliable grain storage and handling solutions continues to be a constant.
One of the things I appreciate most about traveling and meeting with our teams is the opportunity to learn from different perspectives. Those conversations not only strengthen our global relationships but also reinforce ideas that help us better serve our customers here at home.
As we look ahead to harvest and another busy fall trade show season, I look forward to reconnecting with many of you. Agriculture has always been an industry built on relationships, and those connections continue to drive innovation and long-term success.
Thank you for your continued partnership and for everything you do to support the agricultural industry. I wish you a safe and successful harvest season, and I hope to see many of you this fall.
Mark Kjar recently met with the Chief Asia management team in the Philippines to discuss market trends, strengthen collaboration, and share perspectives on the global agricultural industry.
“No matter where you are in the world, agriculture is built on strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a commitment to helping producers succeed.”
— Mark Kjar, President/General Manager, Chief Agri
NEW District Manager Announcement
Rick Jennings
District Manager
Please Welcome Rick Jennings, Our Newest District Manager
Please join us in welcoming Rick Jennings to the Chief Agri team as our newest District Manager.
Rick brings nearly 20 years of experience in the grain storage and handling industry. His background in grain handling equipment, grain storage solutions, sales, and project estimating gives him a strong understanding of the needs of both dealers and customers.
Based in Omaha, Nebraska, Rick will serve dealers across Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Wyoming.
Rick joins the team as Brent Whitefoot begins his well-earned retirement. We sincerely thank Brent for his years of dedication to Chief Agri and the relationships he built throughout his career.
We're excited to have Rick on board and look forward to the experience, support, and relationships he'll bring to our dealer network.
📅 Upcoming Trade Shows
We're looking forward to connecting with customers, dealers, and industry partners throughout this year's fall trade show season. We hope you'll stop by and visit us.
Every product begins with a set of design goals. For the Lemanco Double Wall Bin, our engineering team focused on three key priorities: faster installation, a smooth interior surface for improved material flow, and compatibility with secondary and accessory components.
Built for Efficient Installation
Lemanco Double Wall Bins are designed with factory-assembled wall sections up to 20 feet tall, allowing crews to quickly position large sections with a crane. Additional 15-, 10-, and 5-foot panel options provide the flexibility to configure virtually any bin height in 5-foot increments. For international projects requiring containerized shipping, 5-foot wall panels allow for efficient transportation while maintaining the same modular design.
Each panel includes factory-installed lifting brackets to simplify installation and improve jobsite efficiency.
Photo Caption: Factory-installed lifting brackets allow large wall sections to be safely lifted and positioned during installation.
Engineered for Smooth Product Flow
To help reduce material buildup and bridging, the interior of the bin features a smooth wall surface. Hex-body rivet nuts paired with socket head cap screws create a strong connection while minimizing obstructions inside the bin. This design also allows components to be removed and replaced if future maintenance is required.
Photo Caption: The smooth interior design helps promote consistent material flow while maintaining serviceability.
Designed with Flexibility in Mind
Lemanco Double Wall Bins are compatible with the same accessory options available for Lemanco Single Wall Bins, making installation straightforward for ladders and other components using the existing fastening system. Structural capacity was also a key consideration during development, with headhouse loading capacities available up to 200 kips on bins up to 8 feet and up to 300 kips per column on 10- and 12-foot models.
From initial installation through long-term operation, every aspect of the Lemanco Double Wall Bin was engineered to improve efficiency, simplify maintenance, and provide dependable performance for a wide range of material handling applications.
Photo Caption: Structural columns are designed to support high-capacity headhouse loading while maintaining installation flexibility.
“Every aspect of the Lemanco Double Wall Bin was engineered to improve efficiency, simplify maintenance, and provide dependable performance.”
— Luke Oswald, Mechanical Engineering Manager, Chief Agri
Featured Resource:
Lemanco Modular Bin System Brochure
The new Lemanco Modular Bin Brochure is now available and provides an overview of the product line, key features, design advantages, and available configurations. Whether you're evaluating a new project, discussing options with customers, or simply learning more about the product, this brochure is a valuable resource to keep on hand.
Summer has been a busy season across our manufacturing operations, and we're grateful to see strong demand across our product lines. That momentum continues to challenge our team in the best possible way, providing opportunities to improve efficiency while maintaining the high standards of safety and quality our customers expect.
Recently, our team achieved weekly production output levels we haven't seen since 2024. That accomplishment reflects the dedication of our employees and the continuous improvements we've made throughout our manufacturing operations.
We're also making significant progress on our facility consolidation in Kearney. The latest phase includes relocating elevator trunking welding operations, with additional electrical work and equipment moves scheduled throughout the summer. Once complete, these changes will improve workflow and streamline production across the plant.
Looking ahead, we're continuing to invest in advanced manufacturing equipment to increase capacity and support future growth. A new CNC routing table for drag conveyor components is planned, followed later this year by a new flanging machine and CNC plate roller. These investments will enhance production capabilities while improving the consistency and quality of products such as grain bin peak rings and other cylindrical components.
Every improvement we make is focused on one goal: building quality products more efficiently so we're ready to support our customers' projects today and into the future.
“Every investment in our manufacturing operations is an investment in the quality and reliability our customers expect.”
— Mike Henderson, Operations Manager, Chief Agri
2027 Loyalty Trip – Barcelona Awaits
March 13–20, 2027
The destination for the 2027 Chief Agri Loyalty Trip has been announced—Barcelona, Spain! Qualifying dealers will experience one of Europe's most vibrant cities while enjoying an unforgettable getaway with the Chief Agri team.
From rich history and iconic architecture to Mediterranean views and world-renowned cuisine, Barcelona offers the perfect setting to connect, explore, and experience one of Europe's most iconic destinations.
🗓️ Dealers continue earning Loyalty Trip points through September 30, 2026.
We can't wait to celebrate with our qualifying dealers in Barcelona!
📱 Connect With Us
Are you sharing your Chief Agri projects online? Tag@ChiefAgri so we can celebrate your hard work and share it with our followers!
We’re proud to highlight the craftsmanship across our
dealer network—your success is our story.
We Want to Hear from You
Have a project worth highlighting, a great photo, or a training topic you'd love to see covered? Let us know! We’re building this newsletter with you in mind.
