Premier Co-Op, a farmer-owned cooperative based in Central Illinois, has been serving its farming community since 1903. With 25 locations and a customer-owned business model, the company prides itself on prioritizing service while remaining profitable.
“Overseeing daily grain operations and maintenance across our locations allows me to see firsthand how our customer-owned business model is beneficial,” said Zach Weaver, Operations and Maintenance Manager at Premier Co-Op. “It allows us to provide personalized service, quickly adapt to needs, and build stronger, more efficient operations.”
Derecho disaster
In 2023, a derecho severely damaged a fabric-covered hoop building at Premier Co-Op’s Sidney location, causing the loss of 1.2 million bushels of grain—almost 20% of their total capacity at this facility.
“Facing the challenge of replacing the structure, we reached out to the original manufacturer, only to find the price nearly double what we paid before—not even including the cost of concrete,” said Zach. “That was pretty discouraging! With harvest just around the corner and limited storage space available, we absolutely had to find a more cost-effective solution—and fast.”
Accu-Steel to the rescue
Zach first discovered Accu-Steel at the 2024 GEAPS Exchange, where he discussed his issues with our staff. Based on his project needs, we were able to offer Zach a building quote that was half the price of the competitor’s.
The best part? The building could be constructed quickly and—most importantly—in time for the busy harvest season.
“We started construction in the first week of August and finished by the second week of September—just six weeks to get it all done,” Zach said. “That timeline was astounding and a huge relief, especially considering our critical need for storage space.”
Efficient grain storage, millions in savings
Since installation, the new building has been a game-changer for Premier Co-Op. The Accu-Steel design handles moisture and heat better than the previous structure, providing superior ventilation and preventing water buildup.
The quick turnaround allowed Premier Co-Op to store grain during harvest instead of shipping it out, recovering millions of dollars in lost revenue.
“Having that storage capacity during harvest made a huge difference,” Zach noted. “We were able to serve our customers better and keep operations running smoothly.”
Built around delivering value
And for anyone else struggling with their grain storage, Zach has the following advice: “I would definitely recommend Accu-Steel because they provided an incredible amount of value, delivering exactly what we needed at a great price. They completed the project in an unbelievably quick timeline, which was crucial given our tight schedule and essential need for grain storage. Their efficiency and quality made all the difference.”