Milling Journal - Q1 2008 - (Page 50)

Biggest Challenge The biggest challenge in the milling industry has been that oftentimes we only provide equipment for the cleaning/sizing area of the plant and the packaging end of the plant. If it is a new facility, we sometimes are at a disadvantage as we do not provide the core milling equipment for size reduction or finishing. To overcome this, we work with the client to show him our cleaning and packaging technology. We encourage millers to specify our process equipment in projects. In addition, we focus heavily on replacement systems in plants that are not achieving their designed capacity. ers of the proper maintenance items. Changing Role Our role in the milling industry has increased over the last 12 years with the addition of the well-known Cimbria product line. Bratney is now able to work even closer with the milling industry through the marketing of these products. We have also expanded our engineering and construction market. We pride ourselves on finding and bringing new equipment and engineering solutions. Bratney will continue to be a mainstay in all areas of the agri-processing where we bring value to the customer. Our company has grown from one man with a vision in 1964 to 150 employees, who all strive to further Ken Bratney’s vision for years to come. “Our role in the milling industry has increased over the last 12 years with the addition of the well-known Cimbria product line. Bratney is now able to work even closer with the milling industry through the marketing of these products.” Darin Stutler, Bratney Companies. History of Bratney Companies Bratney Companies was founded in 1964 by Ken Bratney to serve the process equipment and engineering needs of the agri-business industry. As the business grew, more clients wanted a “single source” company to construct and install the equipment. The company focus at the beginning was the grain industry. Product lines naturally carried Bratney into the milling, feed, seed, edible products, fertilizer, and other agribusiness industries. Since it was started 44 years ago, Bratney Companies has developed into two specific groups that work together to serve its customers. The engineering works to provide customers with the best possible construction services. The process equipment group focuses on specific equipment needs for each project. The two teams work hand and hand to meet the needs of the client—whether it is a simple machine replacement or a completely new green-site facility. The company is now headed by the founder’s son, Paul Bratney. Another son, Bruce Bratney, manages the Boise, ID office. Peter Bratney, a third-generation family member, just joined the company. The company currently has more than 150 employees. Bratney Companies has main offices in Des Moines, IA and Boise, ID. It also has regional sales managers covering territories throughout most of the Midwest to the West Coast (from Ohio to California). In addition, Bratney Companies also has an office in Colon, Argentina that serves the needs of that marketplace (many U.S. customers have expanded into that market). Industry Trends In the grain and milling industries, we have noticed that only a few clients maximize plant operations by hiring the personnel and expertise to operate and maintain their equipment properly. With low unemployment and people moving to other non-agricultural areas, we see equipment maintenance and service as a growing opportunity for our company. Therefore, we continue to expand our service department for companies who need these services. The need for service personnel is supplemented by customers’ requests for documentation and videos on how to operate the machinery properly. We also see more customers seeking documents and videos that remind work- services for the Cimbria product line. Over the last 10 years, we have added personnel from the milling industry to help us become more familiar with client needs. Future of Bratney Bratney Companies has always adapted and innovated to meet the needs of the Tough Rugged Convertible Gates Manual rack & pinion Air operated Electric rack & pinion PO Box 256 • Hortonville, WI 54944 800-343-3404 • FAX: 920-779-6980 • www.tom-cinmetals.com 50 First Quarter 2008 Response No. 501 MILLING JOURNAL http://www.tom-cinmetals.com http://www.tom-cinmetals.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Milling Journal - Q1 2008

Milling Journal - First Quarter 2008 Contents First Break Examining Fortification Standards IAOM 2008 Milling Short Courses 2008 IAOM Conference and Expo Melinda Farris Interview Designing a Purifierless Millflow Dirk Maier Named KSU Dept. Head NAMA’s 2008 Division Meetings Protecting Electrical Workers Miller Profiles Todd Bastean Interview Safety: How Serious Are We? Product Quality/Gwirtz Product Roundup: Magnets Pest Management/Subramanyam Explosion Protection Supplier Interview: Darin Stutler Product Reviews New IAOM Safety Award Criteria Don’t Forget OSHA Form 300A Milling Notes Great Lakes Regional Conference 4th Quarter 2007 Flour Production IAOM Reference Guide Hammermills Brushes Aspirators Level Indicators Product Reviews Magnets Mixers Packaging Purifiers Safety Equipment Screeners Separators Sifter Accessories Ad Index

Milling Journal - Q1 2008

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