Mennel Grain’s facility in West Point, Virginia, is set to significantly improve its operations following extensive renovations, marking a crucial step in upgrading the grain elevator. The project began in the Summer of 2024 after the demolition of the old structure and is currently progressing well. A soft opening took place during Wheat Harvest 2025, with full operations anticipated to start during Corn Harvest 2025.
“The renovation helps to ensure safety, create a cleaner look and atmosphere, streamline processes, and provide a much-needed efficiency upgrade for handling grain for our local farmers,” stated Lance Falk, Operations Manager at Mennel Grain West Point.
Phase I of the upgrades features newly constructed towers along with bridges on both the North and South sides of the elevator. The improvements include two grain receiving pits and a truck hoist, an automated inbound and outbound scale, and modern electrical control systems. The enhanced conveying systems now have the capacity to manage up to 15,000 bushels per hour per pit, totalling 30,000 bushels, while also allowing for loading into export containers, barges, rail, and trucks. Safety was also prioritised, with new hazard monitoring systems added for conveying processes.
Additionally, a new internet browser-based Human Machine Interface (HMI) system enables Mennel to oversee plant operations, log data, and generate reports as needed.
Phase II will focus on upgrading the dryer, expanding the tower, and adding new conveyors, while also providing access to an existing storage tank. Construction for this phase is expected to commence later this year and reach completion by June 1, 2026.
Mennel Grain West Point, formerly known as Old Dominion Grain, is strategically located on the Pamunkey River. Although a new barge load-out system was installed in 2019, the facility’s ageing infrastructure needed modernising to sustain its role in the supply chain, which supports Mennel Milling in Roanoke, VA, and the Bakery Mix plant in Newton, NC.
“Modernising this site strengthens a critical link in our supply chain. These upgrades improve safety and efficiency while ensuring we can keep pace with the needs of our growers and customers. It’s an investment in reliability today and stability for the future,” said Ford Mennel, President and CEO of The Mennel Milling Company.
