Driving Automation

Embrace the future of grain storage as Jon Brown, Director of Facilities for MKC Properties and Producer Ag, guides you through their state-of-the-art, automation-driven facilities. Discover how they truly set industry standards for efficiency in loading, unloading, and handling grain.

What You’ll Learn

— The Evolution of MKC and Producer Ag’s Grain Facilities

— Insights on Automation Levels and Their Role in Rail Terminal Facilities

— Working With KASA for Efficient Control Systems Integrations

— Surpassing Industry Standards in Loader Efficiency

— Choosing the Right Automation Partners for Success

Learn how Jon Brown and his team have leveraged KASA’s innovative automation systems from their first facility built in 2014 to further expansions completed in 2024. Dive deep into the heart of efficiency, with bushels loaded at unprecedented speeds, surpassing industry peers and setting new benchmarks in grain storage and handling.

Take the Next Step

Interested in tapping into this efficiency for your operation? Learn more about KASA’s premier control systems here: kasacompanies.com.

Engage With Us

Impressed by MKC and Producer Ag’s game-changing strategies? Share your thoughts in the comments, and remember to like this video and subscribe to our channel for more industry insights.

#MKCProperties #ProducerAg #KASA #GrainStorage #InnovationInAgriculture

#FacilityManagement #IndustryStandards #WarehouseAutomation

Discover how Rice County Terminal and MKC revolutionized their operations using KASA’s advanced automation system. Understand how this automation translates into significant improvements in operational efficiency and increased productivity.

What You’ll Learn

– Unpacking the Role of Lawson Hemberger, Director of Rail Terminals at MKC

– The Powerful Partnership with KASA Automation Group and their System Innovations

– Harnessing KASA’s Control System for Improved Operational Efficiency

With MKC’s expansion of Rice County Terminal, the application of KASA’s advanced control system has brought about significant benefits. This system has served as an effective one-stop shop, consolidating all operational processes at one touch point, from opening gates and controlling equipment to monitoring all hazards within the facility.

Beyond this, witness firsthand how this innovative automation system delivers features that are user-friendly, convenient, and effective. Hear from Lawson Hemberger, the Director of Rail Terminals at MKC, as he shares his experience and success using KASA’s advanced control systems across multiple rail terminals.

Take Your Next Step

Experience the power of automation in your facilities. Visit kasacompanies.com to learn more about how automation can revolutionize your operations.

Want to begin your automation journey? Got insights on automation for rail terminals? Share your thoughts below and don’t forget to hit the subscribe button for more innovative insights.

#Automation #KASAControlSystem #RailTerminals #MKC #OperationalEfficiency

For companies exploring a new finishing system, touring an active IntelliFinishing installation can provide valuable insight into how the system performs in real-world conditions. IntelliFinishing has systems in operation across the Midwest and into parts of the East Coast, many of which are open for prospective customers to visit.

Popular tour locations include systems at Alltech and Hyster-Yale, both located in Kentucky and within a short drive of each other. Additional systems are installed in Arkansas, including several for Caterpillar, as well as in and around Wichita, Kansas.

Many of these sites are featured in video case studies on the IntelliFinishing website, but in-person tours offer the added benefit of speaking directly with system users about their experience—from system performance to service and support.

IntelliFinishing is considered a niche provider, offering smart, modular systems tailored to specific production needs. Not every facility requires that level of customization, and one of the first steps in their consultation process is helping prospects determine whether an IntelliFinishing system is the right fit—or if a more traditional finishing solution would be more appropriate.

To arrange a system tour or learn more about site availability, interested manufacturers can contact IntelliFinishing or one of its regional representatives.

When it comes to building a complete IntelliFinishing system, Midwest Finishing Systems is a key partner—and for good reason. As John Claman of IntelliFinishing explains, the partnership isn’t just based on quality equipment, but on years of close collaboration and a shared commitment to delivering top-tier finishing systems.

One of the biggest advantages of working with Midwest is their equipment customization. For example, they’ve developed split-top ovens specifically to accommodate IntelliFinishing’s overhead friction-driven conveyor system. Since IntelliFinishing carriers operate above the oven and rely on synthetic rubber wheels, it’s crucial to keep that heat-sensitive material out of high-temperature zones. The split-top oven design solves that challenge, making it an ideal match.

In cases where heat levels are lower—such as with liquid coating systems—the conveyor may pass through the oven like in traditional setups. But for most systems, the energy-efficient, carrier-friendly split-top design from Midwest is the better option.

Midwest Finishing Systems also streamlines installation. Much of their equipment is pre-assembled and tested at their factory, reducing on-site troubleshooting and speeding up project timelines. Their ability to ship components ready for quick setup saves time, ensures quality, and simplifies the entire build process.

Midwest’s extensive experience in finishing equipment makes them an invaluable resource. Their deep expertise in washers, ovens, cooling tunnels, and environmental rooms complements IntelliFinishing’s focus on smart controls and modular design.

Together, the two companies have created a seamless, turnkey partnership that began in 2008 and continues today—delivering reliable, high-performance finishing systems backed by close coordination across sales, estimating, and operations.

Planning for growth is a critical part of any capital investment—especially when it comes to finishing systems. One of the biggest advantages of an IntelliFinishing system is its modular, flexible design, which makes it far easier to scale than traditional chain-based monorail or power-and-free systems.

As John Claman of IntelliFinishing explains, these systems are built more like an erector set than a welded structure. The support framework is bolted in place, and the conveyor is suspended from it—allowing for phased expansions without starting from scratch.

Many customers take advantage of this modularity by installing systems in stages. One example is a customer in North Carolina who initially began with a manual wash station. A few years later, they added a five-stage automated wash via a spur connected to the main loop—improving both throughput and pretreatment quality.

Another common strategy is designing with oven expansion in mind. Since cure time is often a system bottleneck, IntelliFinishing can configure ovens with multiple lanes, allowing customers to start with only a portion of the total oven capacity. Additional lanes can be added later—often without shutting down the existing line.

Growth doesn’t always mean adding more equipment. Sometimes, it’s about reconfiguring flow. Customers have expanded systems to move loading closer to fabrication and unloading closer to assembly, reducing fork truck traffic and improving efficiency across the plant floor.

In short, IntelliFinishing systems are designed to grow with you—whether you’re expanding capacity, improving process quality, or optimizing plant layout. For manufacturers planning long-term, it’s a flexible, scalable solution built with growth in mind.

IntelliFinishing’s roots go back to 2008, though the company wasn’t branded under that name at the time. The story began when Caterpillar identified the IntelliTrak conveyance system as a promising foundation for a new kind of finishing system—one that could offer smarter control and greater flexibility.

To bring the concept to life, three companies collaborated on prototype systems: IntelliTrak provided the conveyor technology, Midwest Finishing Systems contributed modular ovens, washers, and process equipment, and Kasa Controls & Automation handled the intelligent control systems.

As the partnership with Caterpillar evolved, it became clear that the finishing solution had broader potential. Kasa Controls & Automation took the lead, formally branding the offering as IntelliFinishing to distinguish it from IntelliTrak’s material handling solutions.

Today, IntelliFinishing focuses exclusively on finishing systems—bringing together smart controls, recipe-based automation, and a unique conveyor system that adapts to a wide range of production needs. Since launching, the company has installed dozens of systems across the U.S., and continues to grow its footprint.

For prospective customers, IntelliFinishing is always happy to offer site visits or conversations with current clients—providing an open look into system performance and post-sale support.

When shot blasting is part of your pretreatment process, seamless integration with your finishing system is essential. IntelliFinishing systems are designed with this in mind—offering the flexibility and control needed to get the best results from your shot blast equipment.

As John Claman of IntelliFinishing explains, traditional chain-based systems run at a fixed speed, limiting your ability to adjust for different part types or surface conditions. In contrast, IntelliFinishing allows you to control the speed of each carrier, slowing it down for more intricate or heavily soiled parts and speeding it up when less prep is required. This fine-tuned control helps ensure consistent surface preparation across a wide range of products.

Some customers even take advantage of IntelliFinishing’s recipe-based automation, running select parts through the shot blast more than once. Once the ideal settings are dialed in for a particular product, the system remembers them—ensuring repeatable, reliable results without added manual effort.

For manufacturers looking to improve quality and efficiency in their pretreatment process, IntelliFinishing offers a smart, adaptable solution that works exceptionally well alongside shot blast machines.

Traditionally, finishing operations rely on multiple systems to manage different types of parts—small parts on one line, medium parts on another, separate lines for powder and liquid coatings, and perhaps even a dedicated system for shot-blasted items. But IntelliFinishing challenges this fragmented approach.

As Sales and Marketing Manager John Claman explains, IntelliFinishing systems are designed to handle a wide range of part types and sizes on a single line. While the system must be engineered to accommodate the largest part in terms of weight and dimensions—resulting in larger carriers—this flexibility allows smaller parts to be processed efficiently on the same line.

What makes it work? Each carrier can run a custom “recipe” based on the part it’s carrying. This means optimal processing conditions for each product type, whether large or small, powder or liquid coated. The result is improved finish quality, higher throughput, and greater overall efficiency—all within a unified system layout.

For manufacturers looking to streamline operations, reduce equipment redundancy, and increase productivity, IntelliFinishing offers a smarter, more adaptable solution.

When space is tight, every square foot counts—especially in finishing operations. According to John Claman of IntelliFinishing, one of the key advantages of an IntelliFinishing system is its ability to significantly reduce the footprint compared to traditional conveyorized systems.

Traditional chain-based systems often require wide loops and large turning radiuses, especially for long or oversized products. IntelliFinishing addresses this with shuttle systems, which move carriers laterally, allowing process equipment like washers and ovens to be placed side by side. This means products don’t need to travel in wide loops just to change direction—they’re simply shifted from one station to the next.

Another space-saving method is the deadhead turn. Here, a carrier moves to the end of a conveyor lane, reverses direction, hits a switch, and seamlessly turns 45 or 90 degrees into the next process. This eliminates the need for sprawling looped layouts.

Finally, because IntelliFinishing doesn’t rely on continuous chain loops like power-and-free systems, there’s no need to route return chains throughout the facility. Carriers can split into different process lanes without requiring extra space to loop back—offering even more layout flexibility.

Together, these innovations allow for a more compact, efficient system—perfect for facilities where space and flow optimization are critical.

When planning a new finishing system, one of the most common questions manufacturers ask is: How much capacity will I actually need? John Claman from IntelliFinishing breaks this down using a practical, step-by-step method focused on carriers per hour—a more flexible and accurate measure than traditional feet-per-minute calculations.

Instead of relying solely on conveyor speed, IntelliFinishing’s approach considers the variety, size, and volume of parts you expect to finish over time. Start by estimating how many parts you plan to finish annually—ideally using aspirational numbers to account for future growth.

Then, group your parts by size—small, medium, large, and extra-large—and estimate the largest dimensions for each category. Based on that, you can calculate how many parts fit on a single carrier, accounting for spacing and optimal load density.

Next, divide the total number of parts per year by the number of parts per carrier to find the carriers needed annually, then break that down by working days and hours to determine your required carriers per hour.

This method helps ensure your system is designed for flexibility and efficiency across a wide range of product types—something IntelliFinishing’s smart, friction-driven conveyor systems are built to handle better than traditional monorail setups.