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Improve Fertilizer Material Handling Output with Reliable Conveying Systems

Every industry has its own challenges.

For the global fertilizer industry, expansion and demand are currently high on that list.

Over the years, changes in the soil and water tables have led to high demand for organic mineral fertilizers for their eco-friendly properties and effectiveness in growing crops. The increased demand has created a rise in price—but also an opportunity for companies to earn significant profits.

Given the potential earnings at stake, operations are facing additional pressure.

Now more than ever, decision makers are looking for every advantage they can get to increase output. This almost certainly requires ramping up production schedules, which can stretch material handling equipment well past their design limits.

When that happens, costly breakdowns are inevitable.

Equipment Reliability Is One of the Industry’s Biggest Hurdles

Fertilizer operations depend heavily on conveyors.

While preventive maintenance tasks should be planned to reduce breakdowns, any unplanned downtime can ruin any chance of boosting production.

With potash at an average per-ton cost of $807 in December 2022, production shutdowns can cause a moderate-sized fertilizer operation to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars per hour—possibly millions in lost revenue per day.

To mitigate this danger, CDM applies these core conveyor design principles:

  1. Apply material and environmental data before addressing the construction.
  2. Match internal components with the application and material being handled.
  3. Engineer system for durability and to resist fatigue, corrosion and wear.

Conveyors are a critical capital investment. Facility and maintenance managers need conveyors that can efficiently meet specific bulk material handling requirements. But more than that, the system must be durable enough to accommodate larger production demands, even in extreme environments.

This makes choosing the right conveyor system even more important for increasing output and profitability.

Many manufacturers provide a basic, budget-conscious option for conveyors. But if the system isn’t designed for the exact fertilizer handling requirements, breakdowns are inevitable—leaving a lot of money on the table.

The Right Conveyor for the Fertilizer Job

Conveyor breakdowns that result in unplanned downtime can lead to millions of dollars lost. That is why it is crucial for fertilizer operations to minimize the risk of equipment failures.

When it comes to efficient fertilizer material handling, a one-size-fits-all approach is a liability. Investing in the right conveyor for the job at hand paves the way to profitability.

For a deeper look into how a custom-built conveyor can increase production and boost profits, download a free white paper on our fertilizer industry page.

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About CDM

The CDM story is about understanding that every industrial operation is different—as are their conveying challenges. A custom-engineered conveying system is a cost-effective approach to any operation willing to have a partner who is vested in your success and one who stands by their product.

CDM has earned more than 91 percent repeat business because we’re more than just a conveying systems manufacturer—we’re a business partner.

For additional information contact:

Andrew Parker, President CDM Systems, Inc.

Andrew@cdmsys.com  • cdmsys.com